Team | Tailfin

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!

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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.

Allison Baumann

Day Job

Account Supervisor

Dream Job

Film Director

Back Story

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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

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!

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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!

Sara Lowe

Day Job

Associate Creative Director

Dream Job

Woodworker / Zen Gardener.

Back Story

Grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan (AKA Cereal City), looked forward to the World’s Longest Breakfast Table every summer at the National Cereal Festival, ate a lot of cereal. Now I have a lot of knowledge about cereal history, some design, some art direction, and a little advertising. Also, I don’t eat much cereal nowadays, but I’m sure they’re all still G-R-R-R-EAT!

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Tiger-striped Giraffe.

I like my Coffee

With a splash of almond or oat milk.

Nicknames

Sara LoLowe; Saraaaaa Loooooowe; S-Lowe; Saralizabeth; Slowe; Slizzowe

Guilty Pleasure

Reality tv accompanied with a heavy pour of wine.

Out of Office

You can find me walking, riding my bike, enjoying the outdoors, or hanging out with friends. When I get a little extra time off, I really enjoy visiting my family and traveling.

Super Power

Knowledge of cereal history / optimism.

Andy Anderson

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!

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Anglerfish

I like my Coffee

Black, and only 1 cup a day

Nicknames

I don’t think it’s possible to make my name more ridiculous.

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

Sofia Iacono

Day Job

Designer

Dream Job

Paranormal investigator.

Back Story

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

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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.

Liz Nobles

Day Job

Office DJ (and occasional sr. 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.

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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.

Firstname Lastname

Day Job

Dream Job

Back Story

Animal Avatar

I like my Coffee

Nicknames

Guilty Pleasure

Out of Office

Super Power

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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!

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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

Ashley McAlpin

Day Job

ACD / Art Director

Dream Job

Travel Blogger.

Back Story

My High School career aptitude test revealed I was perfect for either a career in advertising or a funeral director. I picked advertising.

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The Kraken

I like my Coffee

Caffè Americano

Nicknames

Ash

Guilty Pleasure

kayak.com/explore (You’re welcome.)

Out of Office

Wandering.

Super Power

Using charades to explain maladies in foreign pharmacies.

José Estrada

Day Job

Senior Art Director / pinch hitter 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

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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.

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.

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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.

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!

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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…

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!!!

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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!!!

Office Worm

Day Job

Office Worm

Dream Job

Farmer.

Back Story

Just a small town worm, livin’ in a lonely world.

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Bird.

I like my Coffee

What’s Coffee? There is only dirt.

Nicknames

Wormy, Wormy-squirmy.

Guilty Pleasure

Dirt.

Out of Office

Doing worm things.

Super Power

Worming my way out of tricky situations.

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.

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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.

Meredith Smith

Day Job

Account Director

Dream Job

Sommelier + Professional Napper (in that order.)

Back Story

ATL to UGA to NYC for grad school at Columbia. 18+ years in Global Marketing for a cosmetics conglomerate working with celebs and designers (yes, ones you know). Moved husband and 2 kids back to Atlanta (to protect sanity) and we’re never leaving!
Animal Avatar Colorful chameleon with cute dangly earrings!

I like my Coffee

Never had a cup so unsure! But I do love a cup of earl grey tea with steamed milk.

Nicknames

Mer, Mimi

Guilty Pleasure

Watching the Bachelor with a VERY large glass of vino!

Out of Office

At the beach soaking up the rays.

Super Power

Listening and understanding people…it’s a skill!

Tristan Otto

Day Job

Account Manager

Dream Job

Stay-at-home amateur chef/furniture maker.

Back Story

Grew up less than 2 miles from the office, and decided after college there’s no place like close to home! Started my ad career in media, but decided that spreadsheets and numbers weren’t quite all they’re cracked up to be.

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Cheetah

I like my Coffee

In tiny little cups (espresso).

Nicknames

T, TO, Tristan-Mingle

Guilty Pleasure

Chocolate – I don’t buy it because I have zero self-control.

Out of Office

Reliving my glory days playing lacrosse.

Super Power

Mental math, but like fast.

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.

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.

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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.

Shelby Gutenberger

Day Job

Director Of Business Development

Dream Job

Lead singer in a rock and roll band.

Back Story

Kentucky Bluegrass born and bred. Made Georgia home in 2004. Theatre and communication degrees turned into interests in sales, marketing, business development and a passion for healthcare.

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Pony

I like my Coffee

Iced with oatmilk.

Nicknames

Shelby Lu, Shelbo, Shelbs, Shel, Jobby, Jabby, Jabs, Wildcat Kitty

Guilty Pleasure

Wings + beer

Out of Office

Raising our 2 wild boys, Miles & Maddox in the city with my husband, Tim. When we aren’t at the baseball, football or rugby fields, we are playing music with our group, Yes Ma’am – acoustic 70’s-flavored rock with a hint of southern charm.

Super Power

Loving people really big.

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.

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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.

Curious. Experienced. And a little obsessed.

Our team ispretty dope

Greg Abel

Kerri Loudis

Kati Phillips

Raven Poole

Allison Baumann

Kelly Hackett

Lynn Strickland

Sara Lowe

Liz Nobles

Tim Smith

Alex Saiz

José Estrada

Tristan Otto

Ryan McGee

Naomi Speaks

Liz Heard

Miranda Hocevar

Meredith Smith

Sofia Iacono

Workwith us

Curious. Experienced.
And a little obsessed.

Our team is
pretty dope

Work
with us