Our Talent

The professionals at The Strategy Group for Media are in the business of winning elections. Our clients win because we have the campaign-tested experience and creative edge that makes the difference.

The Strategy Group for Media is comprised of award winning writers, directors, editors and media buyers. We help our clients win elections because we have the campaign-tested experience and creative edge that makes the difference.

From national campaigns to local races, Strategy Group for Media team members have been involved in nearly every aspect of political campaigns. We have been involved in campaigns for President, U.S. Senate, Congress and statewide races. Our team has managed federal and state campaigns and directed state political party committees. We have devised strategy for judicial candidates and directed state legislative caucus programs. The Strategy Group for Media has proven experience that delivers winning results.

Rex Elsass is the founder of The Strategy Group for Media and serves as President and C.E.O. of the company.  Rex is the visionary and driving force leading The Strategy Group for Media from its foundation as a political consulting firm, to its creation as a full-service post-production house and media buying company serving clients across the nation.  Rex has produced thousands of ads, including many national award winners in creative excellence.

Rex has inspired and directed The Strategy Group for Media team to become a leader in creative media production, efficient media buying, and client service.  Today, The Strategy Group for Media ranks as one of the top GOP media firms in America.

An accomplished director, producer, and political strategist, Rex has been a candidate, officeholder, Republican Party leader, campaign manager, and public affairs professional.  He formerly served as Executive Director of the Ohio Republican Party and has managed both local and statewide elections.

Rex and his wife Laurie have three sons, Reid, Carter, and Evan.

Elsass earned his B.A. degree in Radio and TV Production and Performance from Ashland College.

Brian J. Berry is Senior Vice President and Creative Director for The Strategy Group for Media.

An award-winning television, radio, and web copywriter, Brian J. Berry works with clients to develop creative ad campaigns that communicate who they are, what they believe, and why they’re the best choice for voters.

The creative team of The Strategy Group for Media has been recognized for producing the best political advertising in America and the firm has posted a winning record of over 80%.

An experienced campaign professional, Brian has served as executive director of a state political party, managed two statewide races for governor and U.S. Senator, was Southwestern regional political director for the Republican National Committee, and served as regional political director on two presidential campaigns.

Brian serves on the board of directors of Citizens United, which won a landmark freedom of speech case in the United States Supreme Court in 2010.

Brian has also conducted democracy-building programs for the International Republican Institute in Azerbaijan, Egypt, Haiti, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, Ukraine, and the West Bank and Gaza.

Brian earned a B.A. in International Studies from American University and resides in Austin, where he directs the Texas office of The Strategy Group for Media.

Bob Kish serves as Vice President and Art Director for The Strategy Group for Media and is in charge of artistic planning, ad production, and business development.  Bob uses his skills to tell the story of each client by selecting the proper shoot location, best camera angles, lighting, and creative content.

Bob’s work has received numerous awards for creative excellence.  His efforts have led to the successful elections of U.S. Senator John Boozman, Ohio Governor John Kasich, Congressman Tim Huelskamp, Congressman Alan Nunnelee, Congressman Pat Tiberi, and many others.

Bob earned his B.S. degree in Finance from The Ohio State University.  An experienced political operative, Bob has worked on campaigns at the local, state, and federal level in management and finance positions.  He also served as a Fiscal Analyst for the State Auditor of Ohio.

Bob is married to Megan, and they have two children.  The family attends Immaculate Conception Church in Columbus, Ohio.

Scott Schweitzer serves as President of The Strategy Group for Media's post-production branch.

Scott has been with The Strategy Group for Media since 2000 and oversees the creation, production, and delivery of TV, radio, and web ads and is the in-house expert on new media strategies.  Scott directs message and media plans in winning candidate campaigns for statewide offices, Congress, legislative caucus, ballot issues, and third party organizations.

Prior to joining The Strategy Group for Media, he worked in Washington, D.C. on grassroots lobbying strategies and public policy issues.  Returning to Ohio, Scott served as Executive Director of a successful issue advocacy organization and managed and worked on numerous races.

In 2011, Scott received one of the most prestigious honors in politics, as he was named a “Rising Star” by Campaigns & Elections Magazine.

Scott graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati, with a degree in Political Science.

Besides political media, Scott’s interests include finance and technology policy, playing drums, and traveling with his wife and daughters.  Additionally, Scott is available for color commentary on English Premier League football matches.

Nick Everhart is the founding President of the media planning and buying arm of The Strategy Group for Media.

An experienced political media professional, Nick has been with The Strategy Group for Media since 2002, working in all phases of the creative media process.  Nick has developed ad campaigns, directed shoots, and produced videos for TV, radio, and online.

Nick develops and oversees the execution of all political and corporate paid media campaigns.  An expert in his field, Nick determines the best ad medium to use, identifies the right target audience, and allocates each ad dollar with the greatest efficiency.  Nick’s commitment to excellence provides clients with the most effective and efficient media buy possible.

In 2011, Campaigns & Elections Magazine named Nick a “Rising Star” in recognition for his established track record of achievement.

Nick has a double major from The Ohio State University, graduating in 2002 with a B.S. in Political Science and a B.A. in Journalism with an emphasis on Public Relations.

Born and raised in southern Indiana, Nick lives in Ohio with his wife, Jessica, and his son, Graham.

Alex Tornero is a Senior Producer at The Strategy Group for Media – providing political, creative, and organizational support to the firm.

Alex uses his artistic talent to write, storyboard, direct, and produce television, radio, and web advertisements that stand out visually and rhetorically.  His work has gained national recognition from major news outlets and has received multiple awards though his creative vision, direction, and development of ads and videos.

He has produced hundreds of successful advertisements for candidates and organizations such as Ohio Governor John Kasich, U.S. Senator Rand Paul, Congressman Mike Pence, and Family Research Council.

Alex has over a decade of experience in campaigns and politics, having worked for Ohio House of Representatives, the Ohio Bush/Cheney campaign, and Ken Blackwell’s race for governor in Ohio, where he served as Southwest Field Director.

Alex is active in local and state grassroots efforts and serves on the board of directors for Citizens for Community Values and Ohio Right to Life PAC.

Alex graduated from Capital University in 2006, earning a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Political Science. Alex is diehard Cleveland Indians baseball fan and is on a quest to visit every Major League ballpark.

An experienced national campaign professional, Jill Hanson serves The Strategy Group for Media as a Senior Political Advisor.  Jill is one of the most effective and respected political operatives in America, and her expertise in political planning, budgeting, grassroots organization, voter programs, and campaign communications are valuable resources to our clients.

Previously, Jill was the National Political Director for the Dole/Kemp 1996 presidential campaign, where she managed a staff of over 700, directing operations in all 50 states.  Jill also served as senior political advisor of the 1992 Bush/Quayle presidential campaign for the Great Lakes Region.  She also was the regional political director for the Great Lakes and Northeast Regions for the Republican National Committee.

Jill was born and raised in Wisconsin, attended the University of Wisconsin, and graduated with a B.S. in Speech Pathology.

Laurie Elsass has served The Strategy Group for Media since 2000 and is responsible for enhancing client and associate relations.  She plans, coordinates, and hosts both large and small events for the firm – marketing and building The Strategy Group for Media brand and image.

Laurie spent nine years serving Ohio Governors George Voinovich and Bob Taft as their chief lobbyist for economic development, international trade, housing, technology, and travel and tourism issues.

Laurie was a fundraiser for Bob Taft's successful 1990 campaign for Secretary of State and also served for five years at the Republican National Committee in various capacities.

A proven political fundraiser, Laurie Elsass received a B.A. in Communications from the University of Virginia, where she spent her final year in school as a radio news reporter for WINA, in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Rex and Laurie are currently raising three young Republicans in Dublin, Ohio.

Kelley Paul is a marketing and communications professional serving The Strategy Group for Media as Director of Client Communications.

Kelley works to build The Strategy Group for Media image and "brand" with current and future clients.  She reaches out to candidates across the nation to bolster company awareness, facilitate special events, and assist in new business development.  In addition, she works with clients to improve their campaign messaging through the development of creative concepts and copywriting.

A graduate of Rhodes College with a major in English, Kelley Paul has worked as a contract writer, marketing manager, freelance writer, and political advisor.  She has served as the President of the Warren County (KY) Medical Alliance and is a Deacon at her Presbyterian Church.

Kelley is married to U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky and is the mother of their three sons.

Caitlin Benedetti serves as a Public Affairs Specialist as well as Executive Assistant to the C.E.O and founder of The Strategy Group for Media, Rex Elsass.

Caitlin provides administrative and organizational support to the company and serves on key public affairs projects such as Technology for Ohio's Tomorrow.

Additionally, Caitlin has worked in many phases of the creative media process – producing and writing television, radio, and web advertisements.

Prior to joining The Strategy Group for Media, Caitlin worked abroad for KosovaLive News Agency, in the independent state of Kosovo, as a reporter and translations editor.

Caitlin graduated with a double major from Miami University in 2009, earning a B.A. in both Sociology and Journalism.

Caitlin and her husband, Joel, reside downtown Columbus, Ohio in the Short North.  They enjoy being newly married and are active members in their church, Veritas Community Church.

Kegan Beran serves as a Media Planner and Buyer for the advertising placement arm of The Strategy Group for Media.  Kegan is responsible for the planning and execution of paid political media plans.

An expert in television and internet marketing, Kegan has years of media experience.  Kegan previously worked as an account executive in cable ad sales, identifying customer needs and creating marketing plans to meet their goals.  Having worked as a seller, Kegan has experience on both sides of media buying and planning.

Kegan is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Business Administration, specializing in Marketing.  He is an avid Ohio State Buckeyes and Columbus Blue Jackets fan.

An experienced marketing professional, Rachel Ruetty serves as the Assistant Marketing Specialist for the media planning and buying arm of The Strategy Group for Media.

Rachel tracks and compiles media placement information from opposing campaigns and retrieves opposition advertisements from across the nation.  This vital information allows our team to make the most informed creative and placement decisions.

Before joining The Strategy Group for Media, Rachel worked as the marketing associate for Six Disciplines Northwest Ohio in Findlay.  There she was responsible for all marketing functions as well as various client support activities.

Prior to Six Disciplines, Rachel was the assistant store manager for Old Navy in the Cincinnati area.  Rachel was responsible for hiring and training associates as well as logistical activities, including shipping, merchandising, in-store marketing, and facilities maintenance.

Rachel received her degree from Miami University, graduating in 2006 with a B.S. in Business Marketing.

Mitch Marczewski joined The Strategy Group for Media in 2010.  He provides administrative support for key principals and uses his wide skill-set to assist in the creative, buying, and marketing process.  When a problem arises and a quick solution is needed, Mitch is relied upon to resolve the issue with both excellence and timeliness.

In 2007, he began working as a page for the Ohio House of Representatives, where he assisted representatives in the Republican Leadership Office and worked as a personal assistant to the Chief of Staff.

In 2009, Mitch worked with Van Meter, Ashbrook and Associates, a major lobbying firm in the state capital and also with the Ohio House Republican Organizational Committee.

He graduated from Ohio University in 2011 with a B.A. in Communications Studies with an emphasis in Public Advocacy.

In his free time, Mitch enjoys working in his church, Vineyard Grace Fellowship in Heath, Ohio.  There, he serves the support staff for worship arts, leads worship on the weekends, coordinates church events, and teaches a Bible study.  He currently resides in Granville, Ohio.

Mark Trbovich is the Managing Editor for The Strategy Group for Media and oversees daily operations and editing projects in his division.  In addition, he is a post-production Senior Editor utilizing Avid DS Nitris and Avid Media Composer.

Mark has over 22 years of experience in post-production – working with numerous ad agencies and corporate clients.

Mark has served Ohio Governor John Kasich, U.S. Senator John Boozman, and U.S. Senator Rand Paul – as well as international, national, and local clients such as Toyota, Victoria’s Secret, McDonald’s, OhioHealth, Cooper Tire, and countless others.

Mark’s political ads have made a winning difference for clients and have been recognized for creative excellence by national ad organizations.

Mark graduated from The Ohio State University in 1991, and he and his wife Natalie live in the small town of New California, Ohio where they are proud parents of their two young children, Eli and Lily.

Dennis Farkas serves as Senior Avid DS Editor and VP of Post Production.

An innovative editor with almost two decades of experience in post-production, Dennis has received countless creative awards for his work.  Dennis has a bold and creative style that brings a fresh perspective to editing both political and corporate television and web advertisements, long format spots, infomercials, and music videos.

Dennis has a keen eye for timing, compositing, and color correction and utilizes elements of Mac-based Motion and Adobe Photoshop to compliment his work.

Dennis is a Cleveland native who resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Susan, and son, Devin.

Dennis is a graduate of The Ohio State University and is a diehard Columbus Blue Jackets fan and a Cleveland sports fanatic, too.

Sean Ivory is a Motion Graphics Artist with over 20 years of post-production experience.  He began his career as an editor after graduating from Bowling Green State University and soon became the post-production supervisor of a small marketing firm where his clients included Cooper Tire and Rubber Company, Dana Corporation, and NAPA Auto Parts.

After a short stint in Chicago as a freelance editor, Sean was given the opportunity to switch his focus to 3D Animation and an emerging field that would be called "motion graphics."  Using a unique blend of 3D animation and traditional 2D graphics, Sean has created motion graphics for clients in numerous industries.

Whether it is an entire graphic driven spot for Toyota or Goody's Department Stores, or an end logo for Big Lots, Sean uses a variety of tools to create unique treatments that keep the clients "brand" and objectives in focus.  In addition to spot work, Sean has created broadcast graphics for television shows as well as helping to design sets and provide art direction.

Additional clients that Sean has provided his motion graphics expertise include Victoria's Secret, Express, JD Byrider, The Columbus Crew, Kroger, The Ohio State University, UPS, Ford, and The Ohio Lottery.

Sean has won "Pixie" awards and "Emmys" for the open of The Piano Guy on PBS and for the set design of the Ohio Lottery Cash Explosion program.

To create his unique blend of motion graphics, Sean utilizes Maya 3D software and the Adobe Creative Suite including After Effects, Photoshop, and Premiere.

Sean and his wife Heather live in Upper Arlington, Ohio, and when they are not working, they are probably looking at a wall to tear down somewhere in their house.

A Cincinnati native and graduate of Ohio University, Sean Amann has over 16 years experience in audio production ranging from music, television, radio, film, and corporate video.

As a staff audio editor for over six years, Sean worked with several preeminent ad agencies and managed a video production department.  Sean became a freelancer in 2003 and has worked with most of the production companies in Columbus, Ohio.

Sean’s creative audio input can be found in nearly every The Strategy Group for Media advertisement.  His engineering, mixing, and field recording credits include non-political clients such as Blessid Union of Souls, Toyota, KFC, Victoria's Secret, ESPN, Nickelodeon, Nationwide, Bayer, and Caterpillar.

Sean understands both the technical and business side of his trade and formed Brick Audio in 2007.

Sean is an expert with his Pro Tools HD2 suite with mix to picture, which gives him the ability to use all his creative audio talents.  Sean has over 28,000 sound effects, access to software synthesizers, a pool of voiceover talent, ISDN capability, and extensive music libraries (Killer Tracks and APM) to customize every ad project and sound design.

Joining The Strategy Group for Media in 2009, Mary Beth McCallion serves as Office Manager. Mary Beth insures all visiting client needs are met and keeps the office running efficiently and smoothly.

Prior to The Strategy Group for Media, Mary Beth ran her own internet marketing business while raising her family - sharpening her ability to juggle multiple priorities and keeping each on schedule through their completion.

Mary Beth’s strong organizational and planning skills were developed through her work in Michigan’s Oakland County Health Department (OCHD) and Allen Resources in Ohio.  At OCHD, Mary Beth coordinated and conducted student vision screenings at public schools in Oakland County.  At Allen Resources, she made sales calls, followed-up on leads, handled customer inquires, and coordinated orders with suppliers.

Mary Beth and her husband, Bill, reside in Westerville, Ohio and are enjoying their empty nest with two sons graduated from college and their youngest studying at Ohio University.

Lee Stevens is the Special Assistant to the C.E.O and founder of The Strategy Group for Media.  Lee provides logistical and administrative support to enable smooth operations and flawless client service.

Prior to joining The Strategy Group for Media, Lee was an Analyst with the Ohio Department of Insurance where he resolved issues between consumers and the insurance industry.

Originally from southeast Missouri, Lee became an Ohioan in 1985.  When Lee isn’t in the office or on the road, he can be found officiating high school basketball, softball, and volleyball games.  He also lends his skills to the Special Olympics.

Lee received a B.S. in Physical Education and Science from Missouri Southern in Joplin, Missouri.