Speakers

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  Rakia Reynolds

  Rakia Reynolds is the founder of Skai Blue Media, a multimedia public relations agency with an all-star roster of lifestyle, technology, non-profit and fashion clients. As a leader in the industry, she is highly sought after by companies to provide expertise in creative development, branding, marketing and business communications. Her path to entrepreneurship started with numerous creative ventures, including producing shows for MTV, TLC and Discovery Health Channel. She was a business major turned TV producer turned PR pro, and the twists and turns have made her into the media mogul and unstoppable trailblazer that she is today. She launched Skai Blue Media in 2008 with one employee, one client and the driving desire to form a PR agency that would break the mold and represent the future of public relations in the digital age. That firm has since grown tremendously to fourteen employees and more than thirty prominent clients. In addition to building her business and those of others, she actively participates in speaking engagements nationwide and has been able to share her knowledge of business and brand development on numerous stages, including those of TED, Tech808 DC, and Dell Women's Entrepreneur Network. She's worked as a guest editor for Marie Claire magazine, has been featured in publications including Essence, Lucky, and Uptown, and regularly contributes her expertise on entrepreneurship and leadership to outlets such as Elle, Forbes, Inc.com, Huffington Post, and Fortune. As an on-air brand expert for Serena Williams' line for HSN, Rakia works closely with Williams and her design team on messaging and social media integration for launches, special product roll-outs, and consumer engagement.

  In addition to her full-time work in multimedia communications, she is a wife to her best friend and husband, Bram Reynolds, and mother of three amazing children.

  @rakiareynolds
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  Nicole A. Cashman

  Nicole, a Philadelphia native, served as PR Director for Bloomingdale’s in New York which led to her role as Director of PR & Special Events for 28 Strawbridge’s stores. In 1999, she opened a boutique PR firm and, in 2001, extended her business outside of the Philadelphia area and launched Cashman & Associates nationally where she is President & CEO and sole proprietor. She blends a comprehensive understanding of the entertainment, lifestyle, and hospitality industries with a highly creative sense of marketing to produce unmatched results. Cashman has worked with a roster of major talent and brands including Stephen Starr Restaurants, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, City of Philadelphia, Kiehl’s Since 1851, Rittenhouse Hotel, City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, Chef Georges Perrier, Comcast and more.

  @NicoleCashman
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  Kevin Alansky

  Kevin Alansky is the Chief Marketing Officer and a co-founder of SocialRadar. He is responsible for consumer marketing and messaging, client engagement, and user acquisition. Prior to joining SocialRadar, Kevin spent 12 years at Blackboard where he played a key role in integrating social media into the corporate marketing strategy. He formed and led the Blackboard Social Marketing Team, which leveraged these new technologies to increase brand awareness, customer engagement, and lead generation. Kevin has also held executive marketing positions at Discovery Communications, Washington Wizards & Capitals, and Arnold Worldwide, where he managed accounts including SAP and McDonald’s. Kevin received his bachelors in marketing from Muhlenberg College. He is married with two children.

  @socialradarapp
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  Brendan Lowry

  Brendan is part of the founding team at Curalate, the most comprehensive platform for marketing with images, where he leads marketing and PR. Prior to Curalate, Brendan launched Skillshare in Philadelphia and received his undergrad degree from Temple University in May of 2011.

  @brelow
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  Erik Harbison

  Erik is the Chief Marketing Officer at AWeber where he oversees marketing operations, vision and strategy for the leading email marketing platform. Erik has over twenty years of experience across all channels and disciplines within the marketing and advertising space. He has built award winning teams, campaigns and outcomes for clients in the retail, technology and CPG verticals. He stays connected to the Philly scene as an Advisory Board member for PhIMA and guest instructor for a first-of-its-kind marketing program at Drexel University.