Nakita Simpson

Day Job

Senior Art Director.

Dream Job

Film Director.

Back Story

From UCF in Orlando, FL to Portfolio Center in Atlanta, GA to W+K and a few other agencies Portland, OR to some freelance here and there, I’ve wound up back where my creative journey began in ATL at Tailfin. It’s been a fun ride so far.

Animal Avatar

Jaguar.

I like my Coffee

In the pot, hot Chai for me please.

Nicknames

Need the passcode for this one.

Guilty Pleasure

Tiramisu.

Out of Office

At a tropical destination with a fruity drink and a phone on DND.

Super Power

Charm, of course.

Meri Sanders

Day Job

Account Supervisor.

Dream Job

Hype dancer.

Back Story

Originally from Long Island, I ventured to the University of Wisconsin for college before settling in Atlanta after graduation. I kicked off my career in OOH media buying, worked with two Atlanta professional sports teams, and later transitioned into the events world for a luxury automotive brand. Now, I’m living happily ever after, working at Tailfin and walking through life with my wonderful husband and our beloved dog.

Animal Avatar

Never been asked so I’ll say a puppy.

I like my Coffee

Iced with half and half and a Splenda.

Nicknames

Moo, Mooey, Mer, or my real name if I’m in trouble, Meredith.

Guilty Pleasure

Old Sex and the City reruns and oddly still drinking cosmos.

Out of Office

Walking somewhere getting my 10k steps probably with an iced coffee in hand.

Super Power

Positivity.

Amanda Rice

Day Job

Project Manager.

Dream Job

Dancing With The Stars Professional Dancer.

Back Story

Originally from Woodstock, GA, my college years in Arkansas led to a career in higher education at my alma mater. After five years and a newfound passion for Marketing, my husband and I moved back to Atlanta, where I embraced the dynamic world of agency life. Following a couple of years of remote agency work, I’m thrilled to have found my home with the Tailfin team!

Animal Avatar

Cat.

I like my Coffee

Preferably through an IV, but realistically something not too sweet and with lots of caffeine.

Nicknames

Manda or Manderz (but only if you’re my dad).

Guilty Pleasure

Netflix reality shows.

Out of Office

Usually at home reading, playing video games, or chilling with family/friends. Occasionally hiking, kayaking, and trying new things.

Super Power

I’ve been told I have a way of getting things done.

Fallon Anderson

Naomi Speaks

Day Job

Account Manager.

Dream Job

Underwater Videographer.

Back Story

I’m a freelancer that turned to agency life! I used to practice social media marketing for brands in beauty, retail, fashion, interior design, food and beverage–the list goes on. About a few hundred posts later, I’ve decided to turn to the next chapter and work on a team where I can hone my skills straight from the pros, and right in my own neighborhood!

Animal Avatar

Rabbit.

I like my Coffee

Warm, and on great days, topped with frothed macadamia milk.

Nicknames

My middle name, Grace, or as my family calls me, Gracie.

Guilty Pleasure

Shopping– for anything and everything. I got it bad.

Out of Office

Read fiction, travel anywhere to be near the ocean, or be lazy at home with my cat.

Super Power

Having vision / foresight in all things visual.

Sofia Iacono

Day Job

Designer.

Dream Job

Paranormal investigator.

Back Story

I’m just 3 opossums in a trench coat trying their best.

Animal Avatar

Pigeon.

I like my Coffee

Iced with oat milk and two brown sugars.

Nicknames

Fia, Baby Flan.

Guilty Pleasure

Looking at houses on Zillow I know I’ll never be able to afford.

Out of Office

Hanging out with my cats, reading, tending to my house plants.

Super Power

Being SUPER adorable.

Ryan McGee

Day Job

Account Supervisor.

Dream Job

Either be a storm chaser or a famous reality star.

Back Story

Born and raised in Georgia – went to UGA and love living in Atlanta. Also love to travel with friends and family as much as possible, concerts and festivals & fun restaurants/bars.

Animal Avatar

Chicken.

I like my Coffee

Black.

Nicknames

McGee, Magizzle.

Guilty Pleasure

Boxed wine.

Out of Office

On an island with frozen margaritas.

Super Power

Clapping with one hand.

Tim Smith

Day Job

Senior Copywriter.

Dream Job

Either getting paid to nap by a pool or a touring drummer surrounded by pyrotechnics. Let’s go with pool napper surrounded by pyrotechnics.

Back Story

I really don’t do back exercises. No story there.

Animal Avatar

Centaur with a pompadour.

I like my Coffee

Yes I do.

Nicknames

Mr. Wonderful.

Guilty Pleasure

Watching movies I’ve seen 1000 times, another time.

Out of Office

Listening to loud music. Either in concert or in stereo.

Super Power

Looking for a lost item all over the place and finding it in my hand.

Allison Baumann

Day Job

Account Supervisor.

Dream Job

Film Director.

Back Story

I earned my master’s degree in advertising and PR and went straight into agency life. I’ve worked at both large agencies, Ogilvy & Mather, and smaller ones, and I appreciate the unique blend that Tailfin offers. My past clients include The Home Depot, InterContinental Hotels, and a mix of beauty brands, banks, healthcare, and real estate industries.

Animal Avatar

Sea turtle.

I like my Coffee

Iced chai please!

Nicknames

AB.

Guilty Pleasure

Bravo.

Out of Office

Find me by a lake, a waterfall or a beach with a dog.

Super Power

Positivity.

Liz Nobles

Day Job

Office DJ (and occasional Senior Designer).

Dream Job

Craft Chocolatier.

Back Story

It all began at the end of a windy dirt road out in the country with an overactive imagination and a giant box of legos…and the rest is history.

Animal Avatar

Slithery little snake.

I like my Coffee

Black as midnight on a moonless night.

Nicknames

Noodle / Noodz.

Guilty Pleasure

Real Housewives.

Out of Office

Hashtag urban farm life, napping with fluffy cats, endless crafts and collabs.

Super Power

Blurring the lines between what is real, and what could be…photoshopped.

Raven Poole

Day Job

Project Manager.

Dream Job

Renovating houses. I just feel like I was Joanna Gaines in another life.

Back Story

Originally from Columbus, Georgia (most people only visit to go white water rafting – not me, not yet). Degree in Mass Media with dreams of being a weather girl, but working the news desk as an assignment manager matched my type A personality much better. 5 years later, discovered the wonderful world of project management. Dog mom to world’s cutest miniature schnauzer. Try to learn a new life skill every 6 months so I’m currently learning Turkish. Quiz me at the end of the year.

Animal Avatar

Nothing too crazy – a panda. They’re so chill but they get sh%t done.

I like my Coffee

Iced with 4 hazelnut creams please.

Nicknames

Rae or Ravie.

Guilty Pleasure

Digging for just the pecans out of the butter pecan ice cream.

Out of Office

Trying to check off a bucket list item. Ride on a hot air balloon is next.

Super Power

I feel I have mastered remaining calm in the most stressful situations, but I’m definitely dying deep, deep down.

José Estrada

Day Job

Associate Creative Director.

Dream Job

Stay-at-home-puppy-daddy / trophy-husband.

Back Story

#3rdWorld meets #1stWorld. Stints @ #BigNetworks 4 #BigAClients. Freelanz #HereAndThere. Settlin’ in #ATL living like #MadMen @theFin #FTW.

Animal Avatar

Depends on the day, but swing between a Rainforest Jaguar and a Capuchin Monkey.

I like my Coffee

Medium to Dark Roast, usually black, but add coconut cream when feeling adventurous.

Nicknames

Hose, Josie, and the obvious Juan/Pedro (when in doubt). Clean shaven I become a whole new persona: Phil.

Guilty Pleasure

Brown liquor before noon.

Out of Office

Experiments in the kitchen, either cooking or baking.

Super Power

Dog whisperer.

Kati Phillips

Day Job

Account Director.

Dream Job

Instacart shopper. I love grocery shopping and would love it even more with someone else’s money!

Back Story

Explored Ad Agency life after college and then went in-house with a consumer goods company for 9 years. After two kids and too many miles on my car commuting, I moved back to my Agency roots and started my second tour with Tailfin – 12 years apart and right down the street!

Animal Avatar

Cat. Specifically an orange Tabby. Specifically one named Bodhi.

I like my Coffee

To not taste like coffee. The more creamer the better!

Nicknames

Nothing has stuck yet, and I’m OK with that.

Guilty Pleasure

TV medical dramas & romantic comedies.

Out of Office

With my kids – restaurants, breweries, home, Dave & Busters, Beltline. As long as it’s kid friendly and sort of fun – we’re there!

Super Power

Super sonic ninja hearing – or so I’ve been told…

Miranda Hocevar

Day Job

Account Director.

Dream Job

Environmental Law.

Back Story

Started my career producing for ESPN and spent 10 years in sports advertising before making the move to the nonprofit sector. After having two sons, I’ve settled in the agency world where there is never a dull day!

Animal Avatar

Lioness.

I like my Coffee

Light, sweet, and once a day.

Nicknames

My friends from way back call me “MB”.

Guilty Pleasure

Dark Chocolate.

Out of Office

Outside in the sunshine!

Super Power

I’m never afraid to go first!

Lynn Strickland

Day Job

Financial Manager – who came up with that title?

Dream Job

Singing and dancing on the Broadway stage.

Back Story

I have 2 daughters: one a student at & the other a graduate of Ga Tech – where I met my husband. We cheer for the Jackets, regardless of their record.

Animal Avatar

Octopus.

I like my Coffee

Hot. Became a coffee drinker to stay warm in the Tailfin office.

Nicknames

Lynndala.

Guilty Pleasure

Hollandaise sauce.

Out of Office

In limbo – we’re recent empty-nesters.

Super Power

Grammar.

Kerri Loudis

Day Job

Director, Creative Services.

Dream Job

Britney Spears backup dancer.

Back Story

Spent 13+ years in NYC working with a mix of College Sports production, digital project management, and then digital advertising. I got tired of living in a place where the wind hurt my face, so I moved back to Atlanta. After a stint at Turner, ended up at Tailfin because I love the vibe!!!

Animal Avatar

My Spirit Guide.

I like my Coffee

With Laird coffee creamer (Seriously, try it. It will change your life).

Nicknames

Savage, Kerr, my kids call me Mom.

Guilty Pleasure

Wine. Though, to be clear, there is no guilt…just pleasure.

Out of Office

Highland Yoga, anywhere there is sunshine, my friend’s ‘FroPo’ (Front Porch).

Super Power

Creating processes!!!

Liz Heard

Day Job

Director, Head of Accounts.

Dream Job

Living on a farm and running an eco-tourism small business. Think farm to table dinners, weddings, farm stays and experiences.

Back Story

(Mostly) proud Florida native, migrated to Atlanta in 2010 to work for Delta to start up their social media practice (back when brands let you tweet without lawyers – those were the days). Brief residency in LA, back to ATL ever since, working on both the brand and agency sides.

Animal Avatar

Chilli Heeler.

I like my Coffee

Decaf. Please do not share your opinions.

Nicknames

Moooooooooom!!!

Guilty Pleasure

Teen drama TV.

Out of Office

Cooking elaborate meals, beach trips, lots of quality family time.

Super Power

Reading a room.

Alex Saiz

Day Job

Executive Creative Director.

Dream Job

Original plan was to be a professional soccer player. Then a touring musician. These days, maybe a studio musician with some voiceover work on the side.

Back Story

Undergrad at UCF (Charge On!), then Atlanta for The Creative Circus. Multiple gigs in New York then a circuitous route back to the city I love – ATL.

Animal Avatar

Cheetah.

I like my Coffee

Iced in summer, hot in winter. 2 raw sugars and a splash of cream.

Nicknames

‘A’, ‘Saiz’, and some of my close friends occasionally call me ‘Al’ as a term of endearment. But don’t get any ideas.

Guilty Pleasure

The post-dinner snack attack. I try to fight it, but it’s always there beckoning. Usually, it wants ice cream or a bowl of cereal.

Out of Office

Hopefully on my way to the beach (or the mountains will do, too).

Super Power

I always, ALWAYS have another idea up my sleeve. It’s sort of my creative calling card.

Kelly Hackett

Day Job

Managing Director.

Dream Job

Psychiatrist / Performance Coach (ala Wendy Rhoades from Billions).

Back Story

Raised at big, global ad agencies. Became a client at a Fortune 10 company. Landed at Tailfin for the people – the perfect mix of smart and fun!

Animal Avatar

My brother’s golden retriever. I’d like to be her!

I like my Coffee

Black, and only 1 cup a day.

Nicknames

Hackett, KH, Kel.

Guilty Pleasure

Silence.

Out of Office

Pushing food and cocktails on a steady stream of family and friends that flow in and out of our house.

Super Power

Optimism.

Greg Abel

Day Job

Founder.

Dream Job

Being Bill Murray.

Back Story

Chapter One: media and account roots in the old-school advertising heyday at McCann-Erickson. Chapter Two: rocket-shot stint at global dot-bomb. Chapter Three: founder and master of simplifying the complex with seemingly obscure but shockingly effective analogies.

Animal Avatar

Jabberjaw.

I like my Coffee

With whiskey. Hold the coffee (we call that “Irished up” where I come from).

Nicknames

As main Bestower of Nicknames, I’ve somehow grown a nick-proof Teflon coating. Or, maybe the team is protecting my fragile ego.

Guilty Pleasure

“Old” Bond movies (pre Dalton and Remington Steele) and the sweet sounds of Wham! (Wham!).

Out of Office

I putter around in a small plane, scream at football fields (or TV screens of football fields) and travel to places where I’m a bit out of place… at least for awhile.

Super Power

I’ve been told I can “talk a buzzard off a sh#twagon,” I’m a master of crappy accent imitations and I can analogize and metaphoracate with the best of them.