In August, Maine Ad + Design welcomed its new Board on a sun kissed evening at The Zoo in Portland. Over 70 folks from our creative community came out to wish our 4 departing board members off and celebrate with the 11 newly appointed board members. This will be the first time the board will serve under the name Maine Ad + Design for the entirety of the two year term. While some people only know Maine Ad + Design, a testament to the work spearheaded by former President and Vice President, Colleen Craig, Steve Holt respectively, a few of us on the board have been here since its Ad Club of Maine days. The organization that started in 1923 as the Greater Portland Advertising Federation, remains a connecting force in the advertising industry while expanding to include a growing network of new media creatives. The rebrand of the organization can be felt in the energy of its new board, comprised of agency owners, freelancers, corporate strategists, project managers and publication creatives.

I am incredibly honored to have been voted in as President for the next two years, as I know this organization has its best years ahead. I firmly believe that in order to achieve success in anything, you must surround yourself with those smarter than you, and with that, I thank the board for your commitment. Our Vice President, Liza Lepage, has been the voice of the organization for the past few years, displaying her wit as a social media savant. Kirk Duke, a mastermind of connections in this state, will be heading up our Membership as we have set out with ambitious goals to increase the value we bring to our members. Additionally, in the role of Treasurer, Kate Simmons Tillotson’s brings a wealth of experience in event management and campaign finance.

Additional board members are Lauren Girouard (Tyler Tech), Julie Zivic (Rinck), Joel Kuschke (State 23 Media), Cary West (Sutherland Weston), Andrea Belieau (Studio Linear), Matthew Elliot (Freelancer), Jessica Moser (IDEXX

The next two years will be truly devoted to our members through heightened communication, an engaging new event series and our coveted awards show returning in the spring of 2021, the Broderson’s.

Be on the lookout for a big announcement around a new Membership Directory and our next Drinking With Strangers in December at Bunker Brewing.

On behalf of the board, I look forward to speaking with as many of you at our upcoming events. Feel free to always reach out via email or cell, with ideas, questions or concerns.

Thank you and let’s create!

Chris Davis

MADE President

207-756-2442

Letter from the President: December 2019