Meet the Team

Denise Blackburn-Gay, APR Denise Blackburn-Gay holds a Masters Degree in Marketing from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Blackburn is one of only 48 accredited public relations professionals in the state of South Carolina, hence the APR designation. She is a certified media buyer with a demonstrated knowledge of ad placement, rate negotiation, and coverage for news stories on a local, regional and national basis. She is a certified trainer and a graduate of Disney University where she received certification in the Disney Approach to Customer Service.   She has a strong marketing background both on the client and agency side, and is one of those rare individuals who has tasted academics, as well. She began her professional career in the area of banking and broadened her realm of experience to include packaged goods, technical marketing, food services, non-profits, real estate, retailing, professional services, entertainment, transportation, golf and tourism. Subjects she has taught include marketing, marketing research, advertising, consumer behavior, management and statistics, just to name a few. For more, see Unmasked: Denise Blackburn-Gay.
Sarah George, APR Sarah George is a native of Charleston, WV, who joined Marketing Strategies, Inc. in 2004 as a marketing assistant.  A graduate of Marshall University’s School of Journalism in Huntington, West Virginia, George holds a Bachelor's Degree in Advertising.  While attending Marshall, she was active in several student organizations and served on the staff of The Parthenon, Marshall's student newspaper.   George maintains professional affiliations in the Public Relations Society of America, the South Carolina Chapter of PRSA, and was recently awarded her Accreditation by the Public Relations Society of America, (APR).  She is responsible for the firm’s Public Relations Division. George is one of only 48 accredited members in the State of South Carolina and one of only four in Myrtle Beach. For more, see Unmasked: Sarah George.
Sarah Jeffcoat Sarah Jeffcoat is a Myrtle Beach native who joined the Marketing Strategies team as a Public Relations intern in May of 2011 and became the Production Manager in August of 2011. Jeffcoat graduated cum laude from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. While a student at Santa Clara, she spent a year studying in Cape Town, South Africa and Washington, DC.   Prior to joining Marketing Strategies, Jeffcoat was a Regional Field Director for a political campaign and a special projects manager for a local law firm. In high school she interned with a video production company and on Capitol Hill, and at Santa Clara she worked for the University Provost.  For more, see Unmasked: Sarah Jeffcoat.
Melanie Cormier Melanie Cormier joined Marketing Strategies, Inc in September 2006 as an intern for PRinciples, the Agency's Public Relations internship program. Cormier, a native of New Brunswick, Canada, graduated from Coastal Carolina University in May 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Cormier is involved in several community organizations, including the Theater of the Republic. Prior to joining Marketing Strategies, Inc., she completed an internship program with The North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, where she worked as an Administrative Assistant. For more, see Unmasked: Melanie Cormier.
Kristi Swiger Kristi is a graduate of Columbia College in Chicago, IL where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design.  She joined  Marketing Strategies, Inc. with over 8 years of experience in graphic design development. She has worked nationwide in cities ranging from Los Angeles to Chicago and possesses extensive experience in political campaign development, graphic illustration and product package design. For more, see Unmasked: Kristi Swiger.
Stacy Kleber Stacy Kleber joined Marketing Strategies, Inc. in June 2010. She is a graduate of the University of Delaware and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications with a concentration in Graphic Design and American Material Culture Studies. Stacy has studied with agencies in London and has worked with many reputable design agencies from Myrtle Beach to New York City.  For more information, see Unmasked: Stacy Kleber.
Jason George A graduate of Marshall University, Jason has over ten years of experience in web programming and database development. He has worked with Marketing Strategies, Inc. since 2004 in developing and supporting a number of award winning sites. For more information, see Unmasked: Jason George.

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Peggy Winkler 

Peggy Winkler is a native of Connecticut. Since 2005, she has served as a design consultant for Marketing Strategies, Inc.  Experienced in fine art, illustration, graphic design, commercial photography and web design, for both agencies and large printing conglomerates Peggy has more than 17 years experience.  She has worked for some of the country’s leading agencies and print firms.

An honors graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, Peggy was tops in her class. Her artistic talents come naturally. She is the daughter of one of the nation’s top encaustic artists, Anita Winkler.

Peggy maintains professional affiliations with RIT’s Alumni Association, the American Advertising Federation (AAF) and the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). 

For more information, see Unmasked: Peggy Winkler.