On June 25, we’re bringing together some of the most brilliant, creative people we know to talk about the power of a moment, visual storytelling strategy, creative workflow and more. 25+ creatives, marketers, photographers, videographers, designers, social media pros, and storytellers of all kinds will lead the conversation during The PhotoShelter Summit for Brands. They’ll share tips and inspiring stories, and take you behind the scenes with innovative brands you know and respect.
This list of all-stars is just the start – we’ll update this post on a rolling basis as we announce new speakers.
Be sure to follow these incredible thought leaders on social media, and of course, don’t forget to watch the Summit. You won’t want to miss out on this full day of professional development, conversation and connection for creative teams.
Keynote
Denise Burrell-Stinson
Creative Director/Head of Storytelling for WP BrandStudio
The Washington Post
Denise Burrell-Stinson turns big ideas into content programs for premium audiences, for clients including Cleveland Clinic, Dell Technologies, IBM, Optum, Siemens, Mastercard, JP Morgan Chase, and Bayer, among others. Watch her keynote to learn how her team is pivoting in this critical moment – and how you can, too!
Keynote
Joe Pulizzi
Bestselling author, marketing speaker & entrepreneur
Founder of Content Marketing Institute
Joe Pulizzi is a bestselling author, marketing speaker and entrepreneur. He has founded three companies, including the Content Marketing Institute (CMI). Check out his keynote to learn how to engage your audience right now, and walk away with insights from his new book, Corona Marketing – What Marketers Need to Do Now to Survive the Pandemic.
Keynote
Jessica Carroll
Director of MLB Photos
Major League Baseball
Jessica Carroll oversees all aspects of global photography for Major League Baseball, from directing photo operations at international and jewel events like the All-Star Game and World Series, to coordinating photography with all 30 MLB Clubs, managing business partnerships, hiring photographers, maintaining the historic photo archive and developing league-wide photography policies and procedures.
Keynote
Ben Liebenberg
Director of Photography
National Football League
Ben Liebenberg is a 2-time Emmy award winning, Los Angeles based photographer. Photography has always been his number one passion. For the last 14 years, Ben has worked for the National Football League as the Director of Photography and Lead Photographer, covering and managing imagery for hundreds of games and professional media events, including many Super Bowls.
Blair Hirak
Digital Content Producer
KIND Snacks
As Digital Content Producer for KIND Snacks, Blair Hirak is responsible for all in-house production of creative content for KIND’s digital channels, from concept ideation to post-production. Watch her session to find out how her team is able to pivot and shift constantly to engage audiences with relevant content.
Terrell Lloyd
Senior Manager Photography Services
Lead Team Photographer
San Francisco 49ers
Terrell Lloyd joined the San Francisco 49ers as a contract photographer in 1996. Today, he oversees all of the team’s photographic assignments. Watch his talk to see why this Canon Explorer of Light is known for his special combination of artistic vision and cutting-edge technology.
Megan Gausemel
Director, Awareness Planning & Operations
Special Olympics International
Megan Gausemel leads operations for global activations, manages branding around partnerships, maintains communications among the regional communications team and supports athlete leadership. Find out how she helps regional teams share a powerful, united message across the globe.
Jason Christley
Senior Manager of Digital Content
NASCAR
Jason Christley is the Senior Manager of Digital Content for NASCAR. Go behind the scenes at NASCAR to understand how this team moves content across teams quickly and efficiently.
Brandon Todd
Lead Photographer & Photo Editor
Carolina Panthers
Brandon Todd is the Lead Photographer & Photo Editor for the Carolina Panthers. He joined the Panthers after serving as a team photographer for the New York Jets. Watch his talk to get a feel for the Panthers’ lightning-fast photo workflow.
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez
Photographer & Photo Editor
Carolina Panthers
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez Photographer & Photo Editor for the Carolina Panthers. Her work with the Panthers includes My View, a popular behind the scenes series on her photo strategy, which has garnered attention from fans and sponsors. Follow Brandon and Melissa’s work at @panthersphotog, and learn more about these innovative projects during their session!
Nate Gordon
Head of Visual Content
The Players’ Tribune
Nate Gordon is the Head of Visual Content at The Players’ Tribune. Find out how moving siloed teams under one umbrella helped The Players’ Tribune strengthen their brand.
Kyle Zedaker
Team Photographer
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kyle Zedaker is a Tampa-based photographer. Before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the Team Photographer, he served as Assistant Photographer for the University of Tennessee’s athletic department, and interned for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2016 season. Join his talk to see how the Buccaneers unlock the power of a moment.
Kamil Strycharz
Digital Content Coordinator
Chicago Bulls
Kamil Strycharz began his full-time career at the Chicago Bulls in 2017 populating social channels with game coverage, branded content, and definitely some wild ideas. Today, a large part of his role at the Chicago Bulls involves growing and expanding the online presence of the brand. Watch his talk to get the strategy behind the Bulls’ social media, including the throwback Instagram account, @bullsarchive.
Preston McClellan
Director of Player Content
PGA Tour
Preston McClellan is the Director of Player Content for the PGA TOUR where he oversees the production and distribution of content to PGA TOUR athletes. Prior to joining the TOUR in 2015, Preston spent time working with the Memphis Tigers, Memphis Grizzlies, Ohio Bobcats, and Navigate Research. Whether it’s for work or for pleasure, you’re likely to find Preston on the nearest golf course – phone in hand, of course. Watch his session to talk all things player storytelling!
Kelly Schultz
Vice President of Communications
Ladies Professional Golf Association
Kelly Thesier Schultz is the Vice President of Communications for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). Kelly joined the LPGA in March 2011 and has spent the past nine years helping to shape and deliver media and communications messaging for the organization. In her current role, Kelly is responsible for overseeing the LPGA’s Communications department which includes tournament media, public relations, corporate communications as well as content for the LPGA’s digital and social media platforms. Watch her session to learn how LPGA is giving fans a direct connection to their favorite players.
Patrick Clay
Digital Content Manager
Coastal Mississippi
Patrick Clay is an award-winning communications professional who currently serves as the digital content manager for Coastal Mississippi, the regional destination marketing organization for Mississippi’s three coastal counties. Patrick aims to maximize the travel and tourism industry of the destination by creating captivating content meant to highlight the beauty, diversity and character of the area. Find out how he and his team pivoted in early 2020.
Megan Moses
Brand Marketing Supervisor
The Bowery Mission
Megan Moses serves as the Brand Marketing Supervisor at The Bowery Mission. Like many of her colleagues, she volunteered for the Mission before joining the staff in April of 2016. In her role, Megan develops and communicates The Bowery Mission’s brand to audiences to show how it is combating the crisis of homelessness, programs it offers to restore hope through life transformation and ways supporters can get involved to help. Watch her session to get an inside look at her content strategy, video and photo productions, and more!
Eric Lindsey
Director of Communications
University of Kentucky Athletics
Eric Lindsey completed his 12th year with UK Athletics and his sixth season as the primary communications contact for Kentucky’s tradition-rich men’s basketball program in 2019-20. You’ll get a window into his work coordinating all media needs with Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach John Calipari, the staff and the team — playing a key part in key part in UK’s Brand and Content Division, and building the foundation for UK’s social media presence, which is regarded as one of the nation’s leaders in popularity, ingenuity and creativity.
Geraint Ashton Jones
Director
Alligin Photography
Geraint aims to create images that provoke an emotional response. He is drawn by the mental challenge of sport, the psychological battle, teamwork and team spirit. Alligin Photography brings together teamwork to tell sporting stories; where they happen, as they happen, wherever they happen. The military is aware that separation is emotionally challenging. Service personnel are aware of the uplifting power of letters from home. In his talk, learn how Alligin Photography brings Armed Forces sport to all their followers, whether at home or deployed, quickly, powerfully and cost effectively; telling sporting stories through great images.
Steve Nowland
Associate Director
Emory University
Steve Nowland is the Associate Director of Photo and Video at Emory University. He’s worked with creative firms such as Clarkson Creative (NCAA Photos and team photographers for the Colorado Rockies and Denver Broncos), and Earth Vision Institute as a Multimedia Producer and Project Manager. Steve has covered editorial assignments for Getty Images, Sports Illustrated, the New York Times and ESPN The Magazine. He’s worked on video projects for the NCAA and The University of Denver, and his documentary work has appeared in two films screened at film festivals nationwide, including Telluride Mountain Film. Find out how his team is pivoting right now!
Hiro Ueno
Digital Asset Manager
Miami Dolphins
Hiro Ueno is entering his second season as the Digital Asset Manager for the Miami Dolphins & Hard Rock Stadium, managing the organization’s digital content, working as a liaison between the IT and Marketing departments, and being a part of the workflow and creative process with the photo and video teams. Before the Dolphins/HRS, Hiro was with the NFL as a Digital Content Library Editor for about a season, along with being an Assistant Team Photographer for the Los Angeles Rams for three seasons before that. Get an inside look at how his team is innovating right now!
Surf Melendez
Creative Director, Tennessee Titans
Former Managing Director, Content & Creative
Miami Dolphins
Surf Melendez is the Creative Director of the Tennessee Titans, where he leads the Content + Creative team and is bridging the gap between coverage and storytelling. He grew creatively at Crispin Porter + Bogusky and has since been a Creative Director for adidas North America, Victors and Spoils and the Miami Dolphins. Surf’s team at the Miami Dolphins led the way in content creation in the NFL. Surf is frequently found presenting to creatives in sports and advertising. Watch his talk to learn how he focuses on the impact of branded content in the digital space for the team and growth of team brands.
Stuart Drew
Senior Manager, Social Media
Miami Dolphins
Stuart Drew is the Senior Manager of Social Media for the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium and Miami Open. She graduated from Auburn University in 2015. Watch her session with Surf Melendez and Hiro Ueno to see how the Dolphins think about capturing moments, storytelling, and sharing the right content at the right moment.
Rachel Workstel
Social Media Marketing Specialist
KIND Snacks
As the Social Media Specialist at KIND Snacks, Rachel is the go-to contact point for KIND’s social media presence and community. She is responsible for monitoring the social media channels, mapping out organic content calendars and needs, developing reports that drive insights, and understanding what will resonate most with the KIND audience. From launching TikTok to pivoting during times of crisis, Rachel has used her love of social to speak to connect with the KIND community in a meaningful way – don’t miss her session!
Kait Hilliard
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Los Angeles Zoo
Kait Hilliard is the VP, Marketing and Communications at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association. She’s responsible for connecting people and animals across every conceivable channel, provoking giggles and grins and skipping disposable straws. She created the L.A. Zoo Lights experience showcasing the intersection of lighting technology, family holiday fun and wildlife, and convinced 1.5 million people to check it out. Find out why surfacing and sharing stories that make our planet a more livable, biodiverse place is her passion, and why innovating to deliver those messages in the most efficient and effective way is her secret sauce.
Charles A. Smith
Chief Photographer
Jackson State University
Charles A. Smith is the chief photographer at Jackson State University in Jackson, MS. JSU is a historically black college and university (HBCU) with an approximate enrollment of over 7,700 students. Charles is responsible for providing creative and journalistic imagery for a diverse customer base, including but not limited to internal and external clients such as local and national media outlets, all colleges, schools, and departments of the university. Watch his talk to learn about his photo strategy.
Eric DeSalvo
Assistant Athletics Director
UCF Athletics
Eric DeSalvo serves as an assistant athletics director of #Content at UCF Athletics, while heading the department’s social media efforts. He oversees all content coming from the UCF Knights and UCF Football pages while working closely with the athletics communications team on its strategy for the remainder of the 15 varsity sports’ official accounts. A 2009 graduate of UCF, he’s entering his eighth year in his current role after spending his first two years in the department working in the athletics communications office. See why he’s a trailblazer in player storytelling.
Watch the Summit
Check out The PhotoShelter Summit for Brands today, and tell your friends! Hundreds of marketers and creatives have already tuned in – we hope you’ll join the conversation.
