Agency

Russ is curious—endlessly so. It’s what drives him to ask compelling questions. Questions that uncover truths that not only set the tone and direction of successful client relationships, but also inform on-point creative exploration. Russ is logical, thoughtful, and he understands what it takes to unite artful, abstract thinking with highly-strategic, actionable brand experiences. His combination of intuition and proven experience is both exceptional and rare. It’s why he’s here, ready to explore the possibilities with you.

Lainie’s background is diverse, having worked in branding, banking, and the music industry has solidified her experience in business development, account management, brand strategy, agency operations and financial management. She uses her unique background when she approaches each project, both large and small, to customize a strategic, creative, and cost effective approach while paying attention to detail. She has partnered with clients such as Sony Music, Nestle, Wegmans, CVS, and Hi-Tide Dispensary. When Lainie is not partnering with her client’s to solve their challenges, she is traveling around the world or can be found in a glass blowing studio.

Michael’s quest for perfection is unmatched. It shows in his craft. It shows in his passion to use design to change the world. And although his ideas often manifest as pixels or picas, they begin and end in the real world. Grounding every project in research, Michael seeks to spark emotion—through color, use of space, unique user interaction, and visual storytelling. He understands the impression great brands make and the power that yields. And he does it all with focused, self-demanding humility.

When the Tinman asked to have a heart, we’re pretty sure he wanted one like Zave’s. A consummate professional photographer, Zave captures hearts and emotions to bring out the good in people—on camera and off. His life is an assignment. And that assignment is to spark ideas, to make people believe, and to shine a spotlight on the story. Zave has a voice all his own, but listens like no other. His point of view is grounded, yet his passion soars. With sharp business instincts and with an ever-questioning attitude, he epitomizes the essence of Xhilarate.

Ryan, a seasoned brand strategist with over a decade in agencies, merges research and storytelling to craft winning market strategies. His award-winning work spans clients like the National Wildlife Federation, American Red Cross, and Penn Law. Based in Philadelphia, he enjoys countrywide road trips with his partner, Huckleberry, a three-year-old golden retriever.

Built on more than 25 years of experience Scott is focused on brand and content strategy. His literary and storytelling expertise have catapulted game-changing organizations such as American Express, Deloitte., Priceline, Sanyo, NBC and TIME to the forefront of the markets they serve. In the non-profit arena he has collaborated with the likes of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, The Orange County Philharmonic Society and New Classrooms. Scott holds a master’s degree in communications from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a bachelor’s degree in media communications from Asbury University (Kentucky).

Darcy has had a lifelong love affair with words. Her career began at a major metropolitan daily, and she still gets an adrenaline rush from deadline pressure. She “defected” from newspapers to the world of advertising/marketing/PR, crafting copy for clients including M&M/Mars, Nabisco, Johnson & Johnson, Lenox and Lagos. Darcy brings journalistic curiosity to every project, for content that engages, informs and, ultimately, converts.

Creating engaging design solutions across print and digital, while working with amazing people, is my style of design. Over the course of 20 years in the industry I’ve been fortunate to do just that. I’ve helped clients and agencies big and small brand and re-brand large-scale corporate identity systems across a range of industry verticals.