Leadership

Chris Boothe - CEO

Chris Boothe has been a proactive, energetic and strategic asset at Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) since 1987. As CEO of Spark – a full-service media agency division of SMG – Chris brings his brand-building know how and strategic expertise to create real results for the agency’s growing roster of clients. Formerly as president/chief operating officer at Starcom USA, Chris was responsible for managing agency operations, as well as day-to-day leadership of the agency’s business development activities, which included pursuing new client partnerships and developing ways to add new dimensions to existing ones.

Prior to his role as COO, he was president/chief activation officer at the agency. Chris was charged with providing the marketplace with a unified, non-siloed approach to the invention and execution of communications plan. Along with his activation responsibilities, Chris had oversight of a number of client accounts, including Bank of America, Allstate, U.S. Cellular, DeVry University, Hanesbrands, Jim Beam, Best Buy and beyond.

Prior, Chris was a group client leader (GCL) at the agency. As an advocate of quality client service, it was natural for Chris to step into one of the newly created GCL roles in 2005, with responsibilities for Miller, Canon and GAP. Chris had proven his talents by working across the gamut of account scope and scale, further demonstrated by his responsibility for the agency’s Morgan Stanley/Discover Card business, sports investment activities and Video Innovation Group.

Chris laid the groundwork for his impressive reputation on a number of world-renowned brand accounts, including Procter & Gamble, Kraft, Nintendo, General Motors, Seven-Up, Coca-Cola, Ameritech, GAP and Canon. He has even lent his talents to an entire region’s activities, having served as regional director for Starcom’s Latin American operations.

Chris was named Media Buyer of the Year by TelevisionWeek, was added to the Mediaweek 50 List and was also an Advertising Age Media Maven. His elevation within Starcom and the industry at large was honored when he was named a Mediaweek Media All-Star. Chris currently serves on the board of the Out-of-Home Video Advertising Bureau (OVAB).

Ken Zasky - President

With a dual expertise in media services and business management, Ken cultivates a unique agency culture – dedicated to delivering strong business results by leveraging the newest and most effective methods of linking people to brands. Ken built his agency career by creating media opportunities for marketers such as P&G, McDonald’s and Miller Brewing Company. A pioneer in his days as a media strategist, Ken’s work was awarded the industry’s first Integrated Marketing Excellence Effie award.

As a founding member of the agency, Spark lives up to Ken’s promise of creating industry-defining communications programs that have earned recognition at Cannes, the Effies, the MediaPost Creative Media Awards, the Business Marketing Association ACE Awards and even MediaPost’s prestigious title of 2009 Boutique Media Agency of the year.

Ken earned a bachelor’s of arts degree in marketing and finance from the University of Michigan in 1987 and an MBA in marketing, management policy and organization behavior from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 1993.

Marie Myszkowski - EVP/Managing Director

As Managing Director for full-service media agency Spark Communications, Marie Myszkowski performs several roles within the agency. Whether she’s overseeing strategic research, developing and guiding team members or helping facilitate plans on behalf of clients Morgan Stanley, ING Direct and The Art Institute of Chicago, Marie can always be counted upon to deliver strong leadership and support to all of the teams at Spark. 

Most recently, her work with client Morgan Stanley garnered her team wins at the Journal of Financial Advertising and Marketing Awards in both 2009 and 2010 and her past work on Discover Card – in her previous role at sister agency Starcom – was also a JFAM award winner. 

With over 20 years experience across many categories and brands including Miller, Kraft, P&G, Gap and Disney, Marie brings a unique perspective to Spark’s clients and the team members she guides. 

Marie earned a bachelor’s of arts degree in journalism from Marquette University in 1984, her MA in communications from the University of Michigan in 1985 and her MS in physiology from the University of Illinois in 1998. 

Shelby Saville - EVP/Managing Director

Shelby Saville is constantly challenging the current interactive model to achieve better integration as all media channels evolve toward digital. Named CIMA’s 2011 Digital Media Person of the Year, Shelby leads Spark’s digital practice as well as several of the industry’s most active digital spenders including E*TRADE, ConAgra, and Purina. Shelby is dedicated to fostering a culture of flexibility by promoting beta-testing and consumer-focused campaign management that is able to change instantaneously – much like today’s consumer. Currently, Shelby’s work is garnering industry attention for advancements in video that allow consumers to control their experiences with her clients’ brands. A revered industry spokesperson, Shelby is frequently quoted by business writers in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek and beyond on marketing issues pertaining to consumer media trends and the latest news affecting the digital media community.

Brent Lux - SVP/Managing Director

Brent Lux oversees strategy and product development, along with helping to drive business development for Spark.

Previously, Brent was managing director at OMD where he led the State Farm business. Prior to that, he was vice president/group media director at Draftfcb for more than five years where he was responsible for leading Taco Bell, along with managing accounts John Deere, AAA Insurance and Motor Club and Chicago’s favorite team, the Cubs.

Starting his career at Starcom in 1995, Brent has experience across several clients and categories including McDonald’s, Kraft, Pillsbury/General Mills, Sara Lee, Aventis, Allstate and LEGO. 

Karen Coleman - SVP/Director

Throughout her 25+ year career, Karen has earned a well-deserved reputation for developing strategic media plans that get results. With a solid background in both strategic planning and investment operations, Karen has experience working on a wide range of clients including McDonald's (national and local), E*TRADE, Suzuki and Disney.

Karen heads a diverse team with proven experience in the fields of broadcast, out-of-home, local, traditional and digital media. She currently manages all digital broadcast integrations for Spark, as well as client strategy for several U.S. based clients including the National Pork Board and Chuck E. Cheese’s.

Prior to joining Spark, Karen helped launch Starcom Los Angeles, designed specifically for the Disney Studios account. Throughout the course of her career, she has gained experience with nearly every kind of consumer, from kids and parents to sports enthusiasts and new homeowners.

Karen graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor’s of science degree in advertising.

Nancy Roth - SVP/Director

With more than 20 years in the business, Nancy brings a wealth of experience to Spark as a strategic director. Nancy’s media work is recognizable for its strategic focus and she has received global recognition for innovative, insight-driven communications programs that created a strong connection between consumers and her clients’ brands. With an extensive background in retail advertising, many of her strongest campaigns have hinged on the role of digital media in today’s consumer lifestyle. A winner of several back-to-back Effie awards, Nancy has also built a reputation for delivering strong business results and ROI for her clients. Nancy is one of Spark’s most sought-after strategists, having managed many landmark branding initiatives throughout her career. 

Nancy received her bachelor’s of arts degree in advertising and mass communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is also an avid golfer.

Mary Honan - VP/Director

As Spark’s local advertising lead, Mary is charged with developing local media strategy and activation on behalf of the entire Spark client roster. 

With media expertise spanning 20+ years, Mary's approach is simple – use both the “art and science” of media to outsmart and not outspend the competition.  

Mary believes in a collaborative approach – working together with clients, their partner agencies, research partners, analytics and technology. She builds teams to deliver optimal results for corporate, regional, retail, field and co-op organizations, working with media platforms including TV, digital, out-of-home, print, radio and virtually everything in between.  

Mary has worked with leading agencies including Mindshare, Omnicom’s GSD&M Idea City, Initiative Media, EURO RSCG Tatham and Foote and Cone & Belding. She has partnered with dozens of clients including AT&T, BMW, Chili’s, Clearwire, DreamWorks, MasterCard, PepsiCo, Popeyes and Procter & Gamble, along with a number of advocacy and diversity initiatives. 

Miraj Parikh - VP/Director

Miraj oversees broadcast negotiations for several major accounts at Spark including E*TRADE, Suzuki and Travelers Insurance. With a career focused on the media habits of the male audience, Miraj redefines the art of engaging the elusive male demographic. With over a decade of experience in broadcast and sports investment, Miraj is able to seamlessly incorporate his clients’ brands into the exciting world of sports. Most recently, his work for client E*TRADE was awarded a Bronze Effie in 2008 and a Gold Effie in 2009 for their work featuring the E*TRADE baby in the Super Bowl TV spots. 

Prior to his work at Spark, Miraj managed the Discover client at Starcom where he implemented all efforts for ESPN’s College Game Day—integrating the Discover brand throughout this highly watched television show covering every major college football game of the season.

When Miraj is away from the office, he can be found at home in Park Ridge watching the game with his wife Dawn and daughter Miranda. A University of Illinois alumni, Miraj enjoys Fighting Illini basketball and rooting for the Chicago Cubs.

Todd Kirby - VP/Director

As the head of research for Spark, Todd brings the consumer media perspective to the forefront of client decisions. He is responsible for discovering, and integrating fact-based consumer insight across all media. With over 15 years experience in the advertising industry, Todd joined Spark after nearly a decade managing primary and secondary research on behalf of SMG client General Motors. His current research for client E*TRADE – the Spark Sports Segmentation Study – helped E*TRADE craft award winning work by focusing on Fantasy Football and how this group mirrors that of the E*TRADE client.

Todd holds a unique joint master’s degree in international and intercultural communications from the University of Denver as well as a dual degree in communications and psychology from the University of Michigan. 

Rebecca Erlich - VP/Director

Rebecca brings a decade of experience to connecting with parents and kids and currently manages creative media strategy for several accounts focused on this powerful consumer audience. Rebecca is Spark’s resident youth expert, overseeing several accounts with consumers ranging from children and parents to tweens. Most recently, Rebecca was honored by the Advertising Women of New York with a 2011 Working Mother of the Year Award. Known for creating industry-defining strategic programs, Rebecca launched an OOH campaign engaging young adults in New York City and received industry acclaim for leveraging the pride and unique attitudes of the many boroughs of New York. Prior to joining Spark, Rebecca worked at our sister agency Starcom USA for seven years where she worked on clients such as Miller Brewing Company, Hallmark and LEGO -- winning a Mediaweek Plan of the Year award on the latter in 2004. Rebecca graduated with a business communications degree from the University of Michigan and currently resides in Deerfield with her husband and two energetic children, Samantha and Dylan.

Nicole Haygood - VP/Digital Director

As Spark’s digital video lead, Nicole aligns new technologies and services with our clients’ brands – linking directly to our partners at VivaKi and SMGx.

Previously as VP/Interactive Media Director at DraftFCB Chicago, Nicole started up their Chicago digital media group in January of 2006 where she led a team of 25. During this time she spearheaded online efforts for key clients such as Taco Bell, Boeing, Dow Chemical, BlueCross BlueShield of Florida, Hampton Inn, Sharpie, SC Johnson and Diners Club International.

Originally from Dublin, Ohio, Nicole attended DePauw University and after an internship at Eli Lilly pharmaceuticals in Indianapolis doing international PR, she moved to Chicago and began her advertising career at StarcomIP. While there, she worked on Allstate, US Army, NasacortAQ, LEGO, Network Solutions/VeriSign and Oldsmobile. 

Steve Carlson - Director

With over a decade of media experience, Steve directs the development of media plans and investment for clients Armour-Eckrich, Montana Office of Tourism and Caterpillar. 

Most recently, Steve was honored as a 2010 Vanguard/Bill Harmon Award winner. His work for client Montana was also recognized as a winner at the 2010 MediaPost Creative Media Awards and the 2011 EFFIES.

Before joining Spark, Steve worked at sister-agency, Starcom USA where he worked on the launch of the new Disneyland Resort and California Adventure Park. 

Steve earned his bachelor’s of arts in advertising from Western Michigan University and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Originally from Michigan, Steve currently resides in Buffalo Grove with his wife Holly and three sons, Nick, Jack and Luke.

Ben Voight - Director

With a decade of industry experience, Ben develops strategic media plans and investment for clients Morgan Stanley, NAPA Auto Parts and ING Direct. 

He brings innovative ideas beyond the traditional media limits and develops programs that produce real results for his clients’ brands. With experience in print, digital, out-of-home and national TV, Ben is a believer in challenger brands and proves that ideas – not large budgets – make a successful media campaign.

Most recently, Ben’s team took on the re-branding of global client Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and produced a highly effective and engaging campaign (with built-in measurement) in less than a month. This work earned the team a 2010 Journal of Financial Advertising and Marketing Award for the second year in a row.

Prior to joining Spark in 2008, Ben was part of sister-agency Starcom where he managed print activation and buying operations for client Sara Lee – working across fourteen brands – as well as American’s Beef Producer. With a knack for leadership, Ben can always be counted upon to help drive consensus among diverse teams – ultimately playing a key role in delivering strong business results on behalf of his clients’ brands.

Ben studied communications and marketing at Indiana University (go Hoosiers!) and received his degree in 1999. Since then, he has been enhancing his knowledge around finance and financial planning and recently finished the CFP® Certification Program through Kaplan Schweser.

Joe Nunziante - Director

Joining the Spark team in 2005, Joe creates engaging media plans for clients E*TRADE, Suzuki, DePaul and NAPA Auto Parts – using today’s emerging technology to increase his client’s brand awareness and moving consumers to action. His work for client E*TRADE is not only award-winning—with both a Bronze and Gold Effie—but it also showcases Joe’s ability to use research in order to leverage the behaviors of his clients’ target audience. Specifically, Joe discovered his target client for E*TRADE was extremely similar (if not the exact same) as a person who engages in Fantasy Football. Thus, E*TRADE’s partnership with CBS Sportsline and the Fantasy Football Draft was born. In addition to client success, Joe was also named as a finalist in the USA Today Young Lions Competition in 2009 and was honored with the Journal of Financial Marketing Award the past three years for his work on E*TRADE.

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Joe received his bachelor’s of science degree from Chicago’s Northwestern University. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, drinking wine and defending his beloved Yankees against the world.