Orland Reece and Matt Skellarud round out the powerhouse speaker list
Some
of the biggest leaders from the LGBTQ media industry will speak at the
2019 National Equality Media Association (NEMA) conference to be held in
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Oct. 27 to Oct. 30.
Headlining the conference will be Bob Witeck, president of Witeck Communications and a pioneer in LGBTQ communications strategy.
Witeck has
spent nearly four decades as a communications strategist dedicated to
the advancement of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ)
communities around the world. He is a communications consultant,
author, speaker and researcher. His firm – the longest established
LGBTQ-owned business enterprise certified by the National Gay &
Lesbian Chamber of Commerce – is based in Washington, D.C.
On their 25th anniversary, American Demographics magazine selected Bob Witeck as one of the 25 global leaders ‘who have made significant contributions to the worlds of demographics, market research, media and trend spotting’ for his early work on America’s LGBT population. In 2006, he co-authored the first book on LGBT marketing, Business Inside Out. He was the first LGBT consultant retained in 2010 by the U.S. Census to help inspire LGBT participation in that year’s count. Paragraph
Joining him will be Orlando Reece, CEO of Pride Media, which owns LGBTQ-focused media brands Out, The Advocate, Out Traveler, Plus, Chill and Pride and Matt Skellarud, president of Pink Banana Media, which specializes in LGBTQ online marketing.
“We are so excited to be able to present such a well-rounded panel of speakers and topics,” said D.J. Doran, president of NEMA. “Our membership is looking forward to hearing from these cutting-edge LGBTQ leaders.”
Puerto Vallarta is rich in culture and diversity and has become a popular LGBTQ tourism destination and is also home to NEMA member publication Out & About PV.
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa and The Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta will serve as host hotels for the conference. Both hotels have a long history of service with the LGBTQ community, and the Marriott was granted LGBTQ certification by the Jalisco Tourism Secretariat and Talento Consultores in 2017.
Luis Villaseñor, public relations director for the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, said he had worked closely with the NEMA conference committee to try and bring the conference to Puerto Vallarta, believing those who have never been will see how special a place Puerto Vallarta is, and how welcoming it is for the LGBTQ Community.
“The town has established itself as a premier LGBTQ travel destination, and we are proud to showcase that,” he said.
NEMA membership serves the content demands of the LGBTQ markets by delivering relevant, personal, authentic content via traditional print media and integrated digital and social media. NEMA is the access point for opening the door to a $900 billion market. With established presences in highly sought-after media markets such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Houston, Nashville, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Chicago, New York, and Orlando, NEMA is the tuning fork and connection point to the thriving and lucrative LGBTQ market.
A full list of speakers and their topics is below:
Bob Witeck: Witeck Communications
Bob Witeck is president of Witeck Communications, Inc., and for nearly four decades a pioneering communications strategist dedicated to the advancement of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities around the world. He is a communications consultant, author, speaker and researcher. His firm – the longest established LGBTQ-owned business enterprise certified by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce – is based in Washington, D.C. Bob will talk about the legacy of LGBTQ media, why it matters, why it’s valued and significant, and also on future trends. Where are we going as a community and what role will community media play.
Matt Skellarud: Pink Banana Media
Matt Skallerud, president of Pink Banana Media, specializes in LGBTQ online marketing, targeting gays & lesbians via content marketing, social media, programmatic ad banners, mobile smartphone apps and more. He also specializes in search engine optimization (SEO), keyword/search advertising (PPC) and social media analytics. He’s been in the LGBTQ online industry for over 20 years. Matt will talk about how to survive and thrive in the changing publishing/media landscape. How to maximize your digital assets and footprint by understanding programmatic and direct digital advertising trends.
Orlando Reece: CEO Pride Media
Orlando Reece is the CEO of Pride Media, and an experienced senior executive known for transforming and disrupting business models with a proven history of success in revenue generation; sales management; linear, digital, print and cross media marketing; product integration; app development. Dynamic, engaging, collaborative communicator who can drive strategic initiatives through to completion. Orlando will be speaking about the recent acquisition of Community Marketing Insights and why NEMA members should participate in the annual marketing survey.
Jerry Cunningham: OUTFRONT (Q MEDIA)
Jerry Cunningham, a native to the great state of Colorado and is Owner and Publisher of OUT FRONT, one of the longest running LGBTQ media companies in the nation - 43 years and counting. He also has served as the President of the National Equality Media Association -- the industry only trade organization advocating for and connecting all independent LGBTQ media across the nation. Jerry will discuss how he has managed to grow the once languishing newsprint publication into a full-service media company, exceeding sales revenues year after year. How does he do it? During his talk, Jerry will walk you step by step through the evolution of OUT FRONT, share the formulas for success that have proven to be profitable for his organization -- all with the commitment that you each of the attendees leave with a "toolbox" of things you can implement in your own market.
DJ Doran: CEO KWIR Media
DJ is the CEO of KWIR Media and an experienced publisher with a demonstrated history of working in the media production industry. DJ has served as the president of NEMA since 2018. He is skilled in advertising, event management, editing, media relations, and journalism. DJ will be talking about the development of the KWIR MEDIA NETWORK (Free content sharing platform for members).
Jerry Jones: Publisher/Owner, Out & About Nashville, Inc. and Out & About Puerto Vallarta, S. DE R.L DE C.V.
Jerry is NEMA secretary and serves on its Board of Directors. He started Out & About Nashville, Inc. more than 17 years ago, and has grown it into a successfully glossy monthly magazine in Nashville, Tennessee. He started Out & About PV in 2017 to serve the Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with an upscale quarterly glossy LGBTQ magazine. Jerry works full time with Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee as the public affairs manager for Vanderbilt LifeFlight, where he oversees marketing, public relations, and communications for one of the nation’s premier flight programs. Jerry has a background in working in complex organizational environments. Progressive growth and experience with integrated marketing efforts, including branding, digital operations, websites, social media, email, advertising, videos, reputation management, community relations, and public relations. Jerry holds a B.A. degree in communications/journalism and a master’s in public administration. Jerry will talk about the challenges of reaching the LGBTQ Latino market.
Jack Tesorero: President and Publisher, ION Magazine
Jack has grown ION Magazine into one of Arizona’s larger LGBT magazines, and has owned the publication since it began in 2001. He is an experienced marketing director and advertising manager, as well as an experienced art director. Jack will talk about APP development and showcase a new app that his publication has recently launched.
Bill Gemmill: Associate Publisher, Echo Magazine
Bill is NEMA treasure and serves on its Board of Directors. He has been with ECHO Magazine (Arizona) since 2014, where his focus includes daily operations of the media company. He was the former Chairman of the Greater Phoenix GLBT Chamber of Commerce, and was on the Phoenix Pride Board or the Pride Operations Manager for ten years. He is a licensed Realtor and had a previous career in airline management. Bill has a B.S. degree in Transportation. He will be facilitating a group discussion on "What are you doing? and What are your Challenges?"
Michael Aaron: Owner, Q Media Group; Publisher/Editor, QSaltLake
Michael is the vice president of NEMA and serves on its Board of Directors. Since 2004 he has been the publisher and editor of QSaltLake, Utah's biweekly gay and lesbian news and entertainment magazine. Salt Lick Publishing, LLC also publishes QPages, an LGBT phone directory serving the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, event programs, playbills, and other advertising tabloids. Michael has a B.A. degree in graphic design. Michael will talk about ways to increase your website ranking and attract more traffic.
Howard Barbanel: Design 2 Pro
Howard is the vice president/director of marketing at Design2Pro, and a seasoned media executive with experience in all aspects of editorial, business and marketing. Design2Pro is a design and pre-press page production company for newspapers, magazines and other periodicals. Howard will be speaking via video conference about the benefits and cost efficiencies of outsourcing your publication design team. GalleryDrag images, upload new ones or select files from your library.
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On
their 25th anniversary, American Demographics magazine selected Bob
Witeck as one of the 25 global leaders ‘who have made significant
contributions to the worlds of demographics, market research, media and
trend spotting’ for his early work on America’s LGBT population. In
2006, he co-authored the first book on LGBT marketing, Business Inside
Out. He was the first LGBT consultant retained in 2010 by the U.S.
Census to help inspire LGBT participation in that year’s count.
Joining him will be Orlando Reece, CEO of Pride Media, which owns LGBTQ-focused media brands Out, The Advocate, Out Traveler, Plus, Chill and Pride and Matt Skellarud, president of Pink Banana Media, which specializes in LGBTQ online marketing.
“We
are so excited to be able to present such a well-rounded panel of
speakers and topics,” said D.J. Doran, president of NEMA. “Our
membership is looking forward to hearing from these cutting-edge LGBTQ
leaders.”
Puerto Vallarta is rich in culture and diversity and has become a popular LGBTQ tourism destination and is also home to NEMA member publication Out & About PV.
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa and The Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta will
serve as host hotels for the conference. Both hotels have a long
history of service with the LGBTQ community, and the Marriott was
granted LGBTQ certification by the Jalisco Tourism
Secretariat and Talento Consultores in 2017.
Luis
Villaseñor, public relations director for the Puerto Vallarta Tourism
Board, said he had worked closely with the NEMA conference committee to
try and bring the conference to Puerto Vallarta, believing those who
have never been will see how special a place Puerto Vallarta is, and how
welcoming it is for the LGBTQ Community.
“The town has established itself as a premier LGBTQ travel destination, and we are proud to showcase that,” he said.
NEMA
membership serves the content demands of the LGBTQ markets by
delivering relevant, personal, authentic content via traditional print
media and integrated digital and social media. NEMA is the access point
for opening the door to a $900 billion market. With established
presences in highly sought-after media markets such as San Francisco,
Los Angeles, Denver, Houston, Nashville, Salt Lake City, Phoenix,
Chicago, New York, and Orlando, NEMA is the tuning fork and connection
point to the thriving and lucrative LGBTQ market.
A full list of speakers and their topics is below:
Bob Witeck: Witeck Communications
Bob
Witeck is president of Witeck Communications, Inc., and for nearly four
decades a pioneering communications strategist dedicated to the
advancement of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities
around the world. He is a communications consultant, author, speaker
and researcher. His firm – the longest established LGBTQ-owned business
enterprise certified by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce – is based
in Washington, D.C. Bob will talk about the legacy of LGBTQ media, why
it matters, why it’s valued and significant, and also on future trends.
Where are we going as a community and what role will community media
play.
Matt Skellarud: Pink Banana Media
Matt
Skallerud, president of Pink Banana Media, specializes in LGBTQ online
marketing, targeting gays & lesbians via content marketing, social
media, programmatic ad banners, mobile smartphone apps and more. He also
specializes in search engine optimization (SEO), keyword/search
advertising (PPC) and social media analytics. He’s been in the LGBTQ
online industry for over 20 years. Matt will talk about how to survive
and thrive in the changing publishing/media landscape. How to maximize
your digital assets and footprint by understanding programmatic and
direct digital advertising trends.
Orlando Reece: CEO Pride Media
Orlando
Reece is the CEO of Pride Media, and an experienced senior executive
known for transforming and disrupting business models with a proven
history of success in revenue generation; sales management; linear,
digital, print and cross media marketing; product integration; app
development. Dynamic, engaging, collaborative communicator who can drive
strategic initiatives through to completion. Orlando will be speaking
about the recent acquisition of Community Marketing Insights and why
NEMA members should participate in the annual marketing survey.
Jerry Cunningham: OUTFRONT (Q MEDIA)
Jerry
Cunningham, a native to the great state of Colorado and is Owner and
Publisher of OUT FRONT, one of the longest running LGBTQ media companies
in the nation - 43 years and counting. He also has served as the
President of the National Equality Media Association -- the industry
only trade organization advocating for and connecting all independent
LGBTQ media across the nation. Jerry will discuss how he has managed to
grow the once languishing newsprint publication into a full-service
media company, exceeding sales revenues year after year. How does he do
it? During his talk, Jerry will walk you step by step through the
evolution of OUT FRONT, share the formulas for success that have proven
to be profitable for his organization -- all with the commitment that
you each of the attendees leave with a "toolbox" of things you can
implement in your own market.
DJ Doran: CEO KWIR Media
DJ
is the CEO of KWIR Media and an experienced publisher with a
demonstrated history of working in the media production industry. DJ has
served as the president of NEMA since 2018. He is skilled in
advertising, event management, editing, media relations, and
journalism. DJ will be talking about the development of the KWIR MEDIA
NETWORK (Free content sharing platform for members).
Jerry Jones: Publisher/Owner, Out & About Nashville, Inc. and Out & About Puerto Vallarta, S. DE R.L DE C.V.
Jerry
is NEMA secretary and serves on its Board of Directors. He started Out
& About Nashville, Inc. more than 17 years ago, and has grown it
into a successfully glossy monthly magazine in Nashville, Tennessee. He
started Out & About PV in 2017 to serve the Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
with an upscale quarterly glossy LGBTQ magazine. Jerry works full time
with Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee as the
public affairs manager for Vanderbilt LifeFlight, where he oversees
marketing, public relations, and communications for one of the nation’s
premier flight programs. Jerry has a background in working in complex
organizational environments. Progressive growth and experience with
integrated marketing efforts, including branding, digital operations,
websites, social media, email, advertising, videos, reputation
management, community relations, and public relations. Jerry holds a
B.A. degree in communications/journalism and a master’s in public
administration. Jerry will talk about the challenges of reaching the
LGBTQ Latino market.
Jack Tesorero: President and Publisher, ION Magazine
Jack
has grown ION Magazine into one of Arizona’s larger LGBT magazines, and
has owned the publication since it began in 2001. He is an experienced
marketing director and advertising manager, as well as an experienced
art director. Jack will talk about APP development and showcase a new
app that his publication has recently launched.
Bill Gemmill: Associate Publisher, Echo Magazine
Bill
is NEMA treasure and serves on its Board of Directors. He has been with
ECHO Magazine (Arizona) since 2014, where his focus includes daily
operations of the media company. He was the former Chairman of the
Greater Phoenix GLBT Chamber of Commerce, and was on the Phoenix Pride
Board or the Pride Operations Manager for ten years. He is a licensed
Realtor and had a previous career in airline management. Bill has a B.S.
degree in Transportation. He will be facilitating a group discussion on
"What are you doing? and What are your Challenges?"
Michael Aaron: Owner, Q Media Group; Publisher/Editor, QSaltLake
Michael Aaron: Owner, Q Media Group; Publisher/Editor, QSaltLake
Michael
is the vice president of NEMA and serves on its Board of Directors.
Since 2004 he has been the publisher and editor of QSaltLake, Utah's
biweekly gay and lesbian news and entertainment magazine. Salt Lick
Publishing, LLC also publishes QPages, an LGBT phone directory serving
the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, event programs, playbills, and
other advertising tabloids. Michael has a B.A. degree in graphic design.
Michael will talk about ways to increase your website ranking and
attract more traffic.
Howard Barbanel: Design 2 Pro
Howard
is the vice president/director of marketing at Design2Pro, and a
seasoned media executive with experience in all aspects of editorial,
business and marketing. Design2Pro is a design and pre-press page
production company for newspapers, magazines and other periodicals.
Howard will be speaking via video conference about the benefits and cost
efficiencies of outsourcing your publication design team.