team
The Partners:
- Ron Johnson – President
- Paul Degenstein – VP Creative
- Marie Della Mattia – Managing Director
Team Members:
- Carrie Ann Barlow – Media Buyer
- Jillian Boulton – Office Administration
- Rosemary Chambers – Account Manager
- Michele Della Mattia – Media Coordinator
- Victor Dobchuk - Producer
- Reamick Lo – Account Manager
- Rupinder Kang – Director of Client Services
- Kristen Keighley-Wight – Production Coordinator
- Jim Lowe – Designer
- Maya Russell – Senior Account Manager
- Wendy Snowdon – Accountant
Now Communications
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Paul Degenstein
title: Partner / VP Creative
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“We'll make sure your creative campaign delivers the right message to the right people at the right time.”
A communications professional since 1988, Paul has gained unique expertise in strategic communications, message development, and creative execution. Before joining NOW, Paul held senior communications posts throughout the country, including serving as press secretary and speech writer for a national political leader. As a member of the NOW team, Paul has developed numerous award-winning campaigns for major union, electoral, education, health and social justice clients. Paul’s education includes graduate studies at l’Institut d’études politiques in Paris, and he holds a Master’s Degree from McGill University.
Rosemary Chambers
title: Account Manager
bio
“I always aim to understand the needs of the client’s audience just as well as I understand the client’s needs. That’s what makes for truly effective communications.”
Twenty years of project-management experience and an extensive background in client services give Rosemary a crucial edge in achieving your communication goals. Her work with organizations in the public and private sectors has built a long list of satisfied clients from unions and non-profit agencies to corporations and governments. She fully understands the important role research plays in the development of successful advertising campaigns. In her work with NOW, Rosemary has provided client services for many significant Manitoba based clients. Additionally, Rosemary is committed to her community and serves on the boards of the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival and the Forks North Portage Partnership Corporation.
Ron Johnson
title: President
bio
“The same progressive values that founded NOW Communications drive everything we do today.”
Since founding NOW in 1991, Ron has built the company’s reputation as a highly successful strategic communications firm with satisfied clients across the country. Ron’s social marketing campaigns have launched dozens of public service initiatives and built solid public support for a wide variety of projects and actions. He’s a formidable communications strategist and media trainer who works in Canada and volunteers his skills to democracy training projects abroad. One of the youngest-ever graduates of the BC Institute of Technology Broadcast Communications program, Ron now has more than 25 years experience in successful strategic communications and advertising.
Maya Russell
title: Senior Account Manager
bio
“As an account manager I pull a whole team together to think strategically about your needs. I love getting creative results to you, that you can put into action with confidence.”
Maya brings 15 years experience in public issues, government, and strategic communications. She has worked with youth, political, labour and community leaders from the local level to the national stage. Her work has included senior positions with cabinet ministers, leadership in student organizations, work with women and youth and in political campaigns. Maya is also involved in community-led policing and women’s organizations. At NOW, Maya has been responsible for managing major electoral and union accounts.
Jillian Boulton
title: Office Administration
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A NOW original, Jillian is the beloved first voice at the end of the phone.
Jillian has a degree in French as a second language from Université Laval. Her training in proofreading at SFU’s Summer Publishing Workshops help NOW produce error-free printed materials. Plus, she always makes sure there are treats for our meetings with clients.
Michele Della Mattia
title: Media Coordinator
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“There’s something tremendously rewarding about making the impossible happen: getting a last-minute change through for a client, for instance. It’s part of what makes NOW such a flexible, responsive company.”
An experienced and accomplished administrator, Michele ensures that our office runs smoothly — and that you get the responses you need as soon as you need them. Her skills in ad trafficking mean your message gets where you want it to go, strictly on schedule. Michele trained at Douglas College and brings 11 years of administrative experience to our office. As one of our first points of public contact, she is one of the main reasons you’ll find your dealings with NOW friendly, professional and effective.
Reamick Lo
title: Account Manager
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“My goals are to meet each client’s needs, deliver the results they want and add value to their organizations, whatever the project.”
Reamick has over 12 years experience as a project manager in the arts and cultural sector and in public services. She has worked in senior positions with elected representatives, and as a manager with the BC government with a focus on urban revitalization. Reamick’s areas of expertise include strategic planning, partnership development and project management on issues such as job creation, training, community safety, health, housing and economic development. Reamick trained in film production at Simon Fraser University, serves as an area governor for Toastmasters in BC and is fluent in Cantonese.
Marie Della Mattia
title: Partner / Managing Director
bio
“Our clients are working hard to make people’s lives better – we want to help them succeed.”
Marie has worked as a communications specialist and people manager since 1988. Her experience in government, union and political campaigns helps her guide NOW’s execution of campaigns with an understanding of clients needs and a knowledge of what suppliers can deliver, so you get results. Marie is also an experienced trainer, leading workshops in Canada and internationally on getting your message out, political organizing and communications planning. Marie has a Bachelor of Arts degree and specialized training in design and production supervision and publishing.
Kristen Keighley-Wight
title: Production Coordinator
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“Media can both reflect and change the way we see the world. A well-crafted, on-message spot can help make a difference for your cause.”
Kristen brings her experiences as a producer, editor, camera operator, reporter and on-air host to NOW’s production team. Her degree in Communications from Simon Fraser University and diploma in Broadcast Journalism from BC Institute of Technology support both a critical analysis of media and practical skills within the industry. She has won awards for both her radio and television productions. Kristen also has over a decade of experience working with youth, families and people with special needs through non-profit organizations and teaches teens media production skills.
Rupinder Kang
title: Director of Client Services
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“I want our clients to be more than satisfied; I want them to be excited — both with the job we do, and with the success they experience.”
Rupinder has eleven years of outreach and program development experience. She joined the NOW team in 1999, bringing several years of experience as a key member of the BC Premier’s Youth Office — organizing events and conferences on such issues as jobs, training, education, racism and violence, and serving on the board of the Justice Institute and ICBC’s Youth Advisory Committee. Rupinder has managed NOW’s accounts with the BC Ministry of Health, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation and BC Teachers’ Federation, keeping projects on schedule and on budget.
Jim Lowe
title: Designer
bio
“I have always felt that design is more than just fashion or fad. To have merit, it must perform to fulfill a purpose. It should educate, be memorable, work to improve the world and improve the public’s understanding of our clients’ goals at the same time.”
Jim has worked in design for more than 25 years, producing work in print, multimedia, display, architecture, furniture and industrial design. He joined the NOW team in January 2006 after ten years as a solo design director where he oversaw projects from concept development to art direction to production. His experience includes working with non-profits, government agencies, political and trade union clients.
Wendy Snowdon
title: Accountant
bio
“Keeping a project on budget is more than just good business. It’s a way of making sure a client can get the most impact from every marketing dollar.”
Part of NOW’s founding team, Wendy has more than 20 years of experience in accounting, including several years with one of the world’s “Big 8” accounting firms. Before joining NOW, she ran the accounting department of the advertising agency for Vancouver’s famous Woodward’s Department Store. Today, Wendy’s diligence and professional knowledge keep your projects on track and on budget.
Victor Dobchuk
title: Producer
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“We bring the best human and technical resources possible to a project to create a product that the client can be proud of.”
Victor Dobchuk and Malanka Productions have years of experience producing broadcast-quality radio and TV. Victor is an active member of the film and video community with past service on the Board of Manitoba Film and Sound and the Manitoba Motion Pictures Industry Association. He also works as a locations manager in the feature film industry. His background includes work in agriculture, education and international development.
Carrie Ann Barlow
title: Media Buyer
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“A subtle change in frequency or placement of an ad can dramatically magnify its impact. I find it’s the details that make the most difference — combined with tough negotiations and an integrated strategy.”
As the former Media Director for all 19 BC government ministries and several crown corporations, Carrie has the extensive experience and skill it takes to deliver strong strategic and cost-effective tactical media plans. For the last 18 years Carrie has managed and delivered the challenging media needs for clients that range from Ford Canada and London Drugs to CUPE and the Ontario Federation of Labour — as well as the high-pressure world of national and provincal election campaigns.
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