Managing Partner

 

A seasoned and versatile public relations professional, Michael has more than 20 years of experience helping organizations in both the public and private sectors enhance their brand image and increase visibility in the media landscape. His work in the franchise space spans nearly 15 years, during which time he has designed and managed successful PR programs for such brands as Dunkin’ Donuts and SUBWAY, as well as countless emerging franchise systems. Throughout his career, he has also earned a reputation as an industry thought leader, as well as a go-to source for countless media outlets across the country.

 

Prior to co-founding Franchise Elevator PR, Michael served as Vice President of Fishman Public Relations, where he directed the media relations efforts for both established and emerging franchise brands over a nine year period. Previously, he worked in conjunction with various city and state leaders to shape and enhance the Chicago Transit Authority's transportation network, served as a spokesperson for the Miss America Scholarship Organization, and played a key advisory role to Croatia’s U.S. Ambassador in Washington, D.C.

 

Michael’s career and public relations advice has been featured in various publications, including Global Franchise Magazine, Franchise Update, VoyageChicago and Loyola Magazine, among others.

 

He holds a degree in Communications from Loyola University Chicago.

 

Fun Facts:

 

• I was born and raised in Chicago.
• During my freshman year at Loyola University, I declared a Political Science major with the vague intention of becoming a lawyer.
• My favorite sports teams are the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago White Sox, and Green Bay Packers, but my fervor for Croatia’s national soccer team exceeds all.
• Whether in my car, at home or at the office, I’m always listening to music. My go-to genre is country.
• I love to travel. I’ve been to 33 states and 17 countries.
•  I’m fluent in four languages.
• I own four suits, 15 sport coats and more than 20 pairs of shoes. “All men are created equal, and then they get dressed.”
• I met my wife during the first month of my freshman year of college and have now known her more than half my life (25 years).
• My son Dario is and always will be my greatest accomplishment.

 

 

Account Manager

 

A journalist turned publicist, Joe grew up in New York and feels the only acceptable pizza is John’s on Bleecker & 7th Avenue in Manhattan. A former reporter, sportswriter and editor for Newsday (N.Y.), the Chicago Sun-Times and the Southern California News Group, he started his public relations career working for the UFC in Las Vegas and then for Bellator MMA (Viacom) in Chicago. During that time, he traveled all across the U.S. and Canada promoting mixed martial arts events in sold-out arenas, including UFC 129 in Toronto’s Rogers Centre, which had a sold-out crowd of 55,724.

 

Now Joe prefers to be home with his wife, chasing around their infant daughter.

 

Fun Facts:

 

• • I’m a former NCAA Division I baseball player.
• I hold a Brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
• I’m a huge dog lover and have a Yorkshire Terrier named Santino.
• I love opening wine and watching astrophysics lectures/shows on YouTube after work.
• I learned how to cook delicious Italian food from my NY/Italian mother.
• Like Al Bundy, I hold a touchdown record at my high school (three TD passes in one quarter).
• I can speak conversational Italian and Spanish, and I’m learning Portuguese.
• I’m a huge U2 fan (seen them 15 times in concert in different cities).
• I was originally a film major and love movies from the 70s (The Godfather, Rocky, Serpico, La Dolce Vita *OK, 1960).

 

 

 

Account Executive

 

Armed with nearly two years of experience and a firm understanding of the franchise industry, Cami is dedicated to her clients and has developed an extensive media network of national, business, trade and industry publications. Her clients have been featured in and on leading media outlets such as Good Morning America, Entrepreneur, Authority Magazine, HuffPost, AOL In the Know, Tastemade and Inc., among others.

 

Prior to joining Franchise Elevator PR, Cami held more than 10 internships and positions in the marketing and public relations field, with companies such as Barnes & Noble Bookstores, TCU Athletics, Shedd Aquarium. She also lead her student-run agency, Roxo, as Vice President.

 

Cami is a 2017 graduate of Texas Christian University, where she received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Strategic Communication, with a minor in General Business.

 

Fun Facts:

 

• I am trained in flying trapeze.
• I have traveled to 22 countries and four continents.
• I grew up splitting my time between Columbus, Ohio and Manhattan, NY.
• I’m an avid sports fan, with my favorite teams being the TCU Horned Frog, Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs.
• I believe that every week should end with a deep dish pizza and a good glass of wine.
• Growing up, no one could understand my name as Cami so after saying “I’m Cami – you know, like a camisole tank top” for years my nick name has evolved into Tank Top.
• Aside from traveling and PR, I have a keen interest in fitness and can often be found at the nearest gym, yoga class or running the lakefront trail next to Lake Michigan.
• My great-aunt is a professional artist and taught me everything I know about painting. I regularly paint in my free time, with landscapes being my favorite.
• My first car was a teal Volkswagen bug, which I affectionately named Bella the Bug.
• If I could only watch one movie for the rest of my life it would be Titanic. It’s such a long movie that by the time you finish it, you forget the beginning and by the time you start it over, you forget the ending!

Account Coordinator

 

Hannah came to Franchise Elevator PR after graduating from Ball State University in May 2018 (shout out to David Letterman) with her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. She found her passion for public relations by getting involved in her sorority and other organizations at school, and interned for Prevent Child Abuse America in Chicago. She is originally from the suburbs of Chicago.

 

Fun facts:

 

• I’ve seen One Direction in concert five times and am patiently waiting for their reunion tour (without Zayn).
• I have an obsession with golden retrievers and will freak out whenever I see one. I’ve had two myself – Cooper & Harper.
• I dislocated my elbow while competing in a cheer competition my sophomore year of high school, but still finished the entire routine. My high school’s team still tells that story.
• I’ve never been out of the country, but I’ve been to the NFL Hall of Fame three times.

 

 

Account Coordinator

 

Gabriela (Gaby) Gutierrez graduated from Bradley University in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Television Production and Spanish, as well as a minor degree in Creative Writing. Prior to joining Franchise Elevator, she interned at CLD PR, a Los Angeles-based PR agency whose client categories cover everything from luxury to contemporary, bridal, swim & sport, lifestyle, fine jewelry, accessories and more. He primary focus at CLD PR was social media and influencer relations. As an Account Coordinator at Franchise Elevator, she has worked on a vast array of clients,  securing both national and local media placements on their behalves.

 

Fun Facts:

 

• I am the oldest of four children and the only girl.
• My favorite movie genre is horror; I’m particularly fond of the SAW series.
• I tutor high schoolers in ACT/SAT prep and Spanish.
• I’ve been to Spain and Mexico. One of my goals is to travel to all the Spanish speaking countries!

 

 

Account Coordinator

 

Marte has been working in the public relations space for two years in a variety of capacities. Starting at a food and hospitality boutique agency after graduation, she gained a solid foundation in her skills. She then moved on to the other side of the coin by taking on a research position at Cision before moving back toward agency life with Franchise Elevator PR. Since joining Franchise Elevator, she has worked on numerous clients in a variety of industries and has secured placements in and on FOX Business, Las Vegas Review-Journal, The Ringer and more.

 

Marte graduated from Indiana University in 2017 (Go Hoosiers!) and is originally from the South Bend, IN area.

 

Fun Facts:

 

• My name is the Norwegian spelling of ‘Marta’ – pronounced the same!
• I’ve been to three continents but never Texas or California.
• I ran and finished the 2018 Chicago Marathon.
• I grew up in the same house my mom grew up in.
• I’ve seen the Jonas Brothers three times – looking forward to the fourth!