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Paramount's management team represents some of best talent
in the business. Despite the fact that Paramount is a relatively
young company, the experience of our management team rivals
that of our larger, more recognizable competitors. Many of
our team members have been a part of Paramount Design Group
from its inception and are a critical part of Paramount's
growth to a premier provider of creative services.
Christopher DeGasperis, President and Founder
Paul
Johnson , Executive Director, Strategy and Analysis
Lynn Reeves, Regional Account Manager
Joseph
DeMare, Creative Director
Kevin
Leckner, Art Director
After earning a BA at New York's Fordham University, Chris
began a diverse career as Art Director at KPMG Peat Marwick
working on a wide variety of accounts, including Pepsi, Sony,
Deutche Bank, and many internal projects within the firm as
well, including a 1994 revamp of the KPMG international website.
A few years later Chris went on to become the Creative Director
at IBM, developing a full service creative production facility
at the White Plains, NY facility. This facility has become
a focal point and model for the development of future proposal
support operations within IBM, while becoming the mainstay
for production of the larger engagement opportunities in IBM.
After IBM, Chris pioneered the first New Jersey location
for Computer Graphic Resources, a creative staffing firm offering
a wide array of Creative, Web, and MultiMedia Services to
a diverse client base including many Fortune 500 corporations
and small to mid-sized businesses in the greater NY area.
Following his success at CGR, Chris formed Paramount Design
Group, a diversified creative services agency. Following a
unique business process, the company scales its staff according
to client needs and budget. The client base is diverse and
so are the projects. Chris is committed to seeing that clients
are pleased with the Paramount way.
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Paul is a seasoned advertising executive who brings over 30
years of business experience to Paramount, working on the
business side of creative and client-driven environments.
Paul provides a balanced standpoint to our clients as he has
worked in a senior management capacity for the client, and
also within the agency world representing clients. Paul's
career spans both the Domestic and International markets.
Paul's career includes Chief Executive and Directorship positions
within the client service and new business areas of several
large marketing and advertising agencies where he handled
a wide range of client activities across the business, marketing
and creative spectrum. This included creating and implementing
strategic plans, PR/marketing campaigns, product launches
and other associated marketing/advertising, branding and promotional
disciplines for many blue-chip companies. More recently, Paul
has specialized in the strategic development and preparation
of business plans, as well as other client communications,
publications and general business/marketing related projects.
As Executive Director, Strategy and Analysis, Paul's primary
role is to work closely with our client base, not only to
manage business presented to us, but also to work with our
clients to grow their business and uncover growth opportunities.
Outside his business interests, Paul has acted as Chairman
for two highly successful Celebrity Charity Organizations
that he created to benefit terminally and critically ill children
(The Starlight Foundation) and the environment (Living Earth).
Additionally, he has participated operationally in a number
of similar events.
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After earning a BFA at New York's School of Visual Arts, Joe
began a diverse career as Art Director at Doyle Dane Bernbach
working on a wide variety of accounts, including Volkswagen,
Polaroid, Sony, IBM, American Tourister and American Airlines.
Nine years later Joe went on to become Senior Art Director
at McCaffery & McCall, creating national print and television
advertising. In 1990, Joe joined Wunderman Cato Johnson where
he developed an impressive body of work in the Graphic Design,
Direct Marketing and Sales Promotions fields. Accounts included
AT&T, US Army, US Postal Service, and American Express.
Joe struck out on his own four years later and co-founded
De Mare & Partners, winning assignments from Computer Associates,
Maxim Magazine, and Meredith Publishing.
In 2000, Joe became Creative Director of CCA, responsible
for the Samsung Electronics Corp. and Samsung Telecommunications
America account. It was at CCA that Joe enlisted the help
of Paramount Design Group for various projects. In 2002, following
the old saying, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em", Joe did
just that and became Creative Director of Paramount Design
Group.
During his career Joe has received awards and recognition
from the Art Directors Club, One Club, ANDYs, CLIOs and Steven
E. Kelley Awards.
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Lynn's background reflects a plethora of account management
relationships. After her education at Sacramento State University,
she began her career in a 2 person advertising agency where
she gained the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
This invaluable experience enabled her to grow into the seasoned
advertising executive she is today - able to juggle forecasting,
budgeting, media schedules, creative deadlines, media placement,
and most importantly, personalized attention to her client's
daily needs.
Lynn's experience includes account management relationships
with companies like Ernst & Young, Lincoln Financial, and
First Third Bank. In addition, Lynn has been key in generating
a tremendous amount of advertising revenue in the pharmaceutical,
healthcare, retail and manufacturing industries in New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and throughout the Midwest. Her legendary style
of personalized account management has created long-term relationships
with clients for more than 20 years.
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Kevin Leckner graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design from
Tyler School of Art in 1994. Within a few short years, Kevin
worked his way up to assistant art director in the art department
for Medical Economics Healthcare Communications (MEDEC), publisher
of eleven different medical trade publications. Kevin quickly
learned his way around the publishing industry and after five
years working for MEDEC, decided to branch off on his own.
After leaving MEDEC in 1999, Kevin created and established
KL Design Group, LLC and began his career as an entrepreneur.
Later that year Kevin partnered up with the publisher of Home
Contractor Review (HCR) Magazine. Kevin prospected new business
and oversaw the production and design of HCR. Kevin was responsible
for increasing the circulation of the magazine from 25,000
to 130,000 and increasing sales by 50%.
Following the success of HCR, Kevin helped launch the first
issue of That’s Life! Entertainment Magazine. Sales revenues
exceeded $250,000 in the first year. Kevin played a major
role in developing the look and feel of the magazine as well
as the content.
Kevin has been with Paramount Design Group for over 4 years
in an Art Director capacity. His background as an accomplished
Art Director and Entrepreneur gives the Paramount client base
new perspectives on design.
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