REQ - Key Persons

Abby Fittes

Job Titles:

Strategist, Web Analytics With

As a Strategist, Web Analytics with REQ, Abby Fittes finds innovative ways to assess how digital properties and campaigns are performing and connecting with audiences, zero in on what's working well, and drive clients' business objectives. She is a data-driven and self-motivated professional who brings a passion for problem solving to her work and merges creativity with analytical thinking to continually optimize digital strategies. Abby utilizes her attention to detail and analytical skills to build reports and visualize data in a way that generates actionable insights. She optimizes data processes through automation and takes the lead on clients' analytics and reporting needs. Prior to joining REQ, Abby was a Senior Data Analyst for a software start-up based in Denver, where she developed, managed, and led the professional services team and delivered monthly reports to executive-level clients. She also created a solutions engineering department and worked alongside the marketing and engineering teams. Originally from Canada, Abby grew up in Denver and received her BS in Strategic Communication/Advertising from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She now lives in sunny San Diego and, from the mountains to the ocean, you can find her spending time outdoors, hiking, trying new restaurants and wines, or listening to live music.

Amanda Thomas

Job Titles:

Junior Designer

As a Junior Designer, Amanda uses her creativity to design digital content that exhibits a brand's personality in an authentic and meaningful way. Her favorite form of design is video editing because of its ability to bring energy and movement to a brand's vision. Amanda received her BS in Marketing from the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining REQ, Amanda worked for the Mall of America where she assisted with fashion photoshoots and marketing promotions for numerous retail brands. She also worked for the Minnesota Vikings where she enhanced the game-day experience by surprising guests with impactful sports-themed giveaways. Her experience working with a variety of brands inspired her passion for creating innovative designs for clients across industries. Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Amanda now resides in San Diego, CA, where she loves visiting the beach and eating oversized California burritos. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding, softball, and thrift shopping for trendy apparel and home decor.

Amanda Wilson

Job Titles:

Associate Director, Content

Day-to-day at REQ, Amanda is immersed in naming sessions; brainstorming campaign concepts; penning ad copy, brand manifestos, and video scripts; overhauling information architectures (IA); wrangling content for migration; and lauding the merits of the serial comma. With an approach firmly rooted in the art and practice of storytelling, Amanda works with team leads across disciplines on accounts ranging from major tech companies to direct-to-consumer brands and membership organizations. She thrives on collaboration and lives for the "aha moments" of group co-creation. At REQ, Amanda serves as lead writer and content strategist on a national road safety campaign that won a Gartner Communication Award in the Most Innovative category in 2020. A nonprofit fundraising website for which she serves as the lead writer won a Gold Horizon Interactive Award in 2020 and a video campaign that she conceived and scripted together with REQ's Senior Art Director for the brand launch of a new national booklist brought home a Gold Horizon Interactive Award in 2018. Before stepping into her current role, Amanda was a Copywriter on the in-house creative team at Bloomberg BNA (now Bloomberg Industry Group). Prior to that, she worked as a Content Evaluation Specialist for United Press International's media development division and as a freelance journalist. Long before the words ‘content' and ‘copy' became embedded in her professional lexicon, Amanda nurtured a lifelong love of words and language. In addition to English, she is proficient in Hungarian and Italian. She earned her BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her MA in Sociology and Social Anthropology from Central European University in Budapest. Amanda resides in Washington, DC, where she can be seen cycling, at local farmers' markets, and tending to her community garden plot.

Annaïs Christofides

Job Titles:

Account Executive
Assistant

Avelyn Austin

aa..@req.co

Job Titles:

Executive Vice President of Strategy & Development

As Executive Vice President of Strategy & Development, Avelyn Austin leads a team of sales and marketing professionals to connect prospective clients with personalized REQ solutions. Prior to joining REQ, Avelyn served as a Vice President of Digital Strategy for Ketchum, where she started and managed the global PR agency's first Paid Media team, putting the "P" in their "PESO" model of Paid, Earned, Shared, and Owned media. Specializing in search and digital media, Avelyn has created and managed award-winning campaigns for clients across a wide spectrum of verticals and industries, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Hewlett Packard, and Airlines for America. Avelyn is a past President of Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), a CHIEF member, and a proud graduate of James Madison University. Living in downtown Washington, DC, she can be found drinking coffee or cocktails with her husband and daughter.

Bailey Gray

Job Titles:

Vice President of Client Service and Strategy

With over 12 years of experience, Bailey has managed enterprise-level content, paid and organic social media, and influencer campaigns to bring his client partners increased brand awareness, website visitors, leads, sales, and brand advocacy. Working with partners such as National University, Constellation Energy, American Standard, Centene, Legoland, and Hard Rock Hotels has provided him experience and knowledge in a diverse set of verticals. During his time at REQ, he has been a part of award-winning teams for creative content strategies, and earned two Hermes Gold Awards. Bailey holds a BS in Business (Marketing) from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Born and raised on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, he now calls San Diego ‘home' with his wife and daughter. When he isn't enjoying the beaches and surf of Southern California, you can find him exploring one of San Diego's local breweries, hunting for the best burrito, or spinning one of his favorite records at home.

Bari Friedman

Job Titles:

Director, SEO

As a Director, SEO with REQ, Bari Friedman develops and implements strategies to improve clients' online presences and organic search results by connecting client brands with influencers in the digital space. Working with REQ's experienced SEO team and weighing all possible approaches, she creates customized solutions for clients that meet their unique SEO needs and goals. Bari stays ahead of the curve by closely tracking Google algorithm updates and adapting on- and off-page strategies accordingly to achieve tangible results. With a focus on accessibility, she closely analyzes client sites to ensure they provide seamless experiences for both users and search engines. Prior to joining REQ, Bari completed an internship with Ogilvy Public Relations' Social@Ogilvy where she developed and implemented social media strategies and content for global brands including BP, Ford, and DuPont. In addition to social media marketing, her previous experience includes issue advocacy, content strategy, and traditional public relations. Bari holds a BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the George Washington University. Away from work, she horseback rides competitively and frequently participates in Hunter/Jumper competitions along the East coast.

Becca Gentry

Job Titles:

Senior Specialist, Paid Media - Social

As a Senior Specialist, Paid Media focused on social, Becca works closely with the Paid Media team to deliver ads that break through online clutter and optimize clients' overall goals. Prior to joining REQ, Becca had multiple internships where she gained experience creating and implementing marketing campaigns, developing brand strategies, and overseeing social media accounts. Becca served as the Social Media and Promotion Coordinator for the James Madison University Center for Global Engagement where, merging her passion for marketing with her love of travel, she promoted study abroad programs to students. Becca graduated Cum Laude from James Madison University with a BBA in Marketing with an Emphasis in Digital Marketing and a Concentration in European Business. Becca is a Virginia Beach native who enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible. She is a yoga enthusiast, major foodie, and loves live music.

Breanne Bartlett

Job Titles:

Senior Strategist, Paid Media - Search

As a Senior Strategist, Paid Media with REQ specializing in Search, Breanne uses her analytical skills to connect clients with their intended audiences. She brings a passion for data storytelling to present new ideas and explain how current campaigns are performing. Breanne's background includes a variety of paid media roles, most recently as a media buyer at Pearson, a worldwide education company. She has experience working with platforms including Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Breanne received her BS in Business Management from Brigham Young University - Idaho. Breanne lives in Boise, Idaho and loves to explore the surrounding mountains while skiing, hiking and rock climbing. She also competes in dog sports with her golden retriever, Juniper.

Brooke Weller

Job Titles:

SVP of Media & Analytics

Brooke Weller, SVP of Media & Analytics at REQ, drives a team culture focused on collaboration, innovation, and thought leadership within the industry at large, ensuring agency best practices evolve ahead of key competitors to provide cutting edge strategies across client portfolios. Brooke oversees the Media and Analytics teams' operations and processes to effectively deliver a seamless, unbridled client experience across all channels. She works closely with REQ's Media leads to relentlessly pursue client performance improvements through strategic business recommendations, concrete activation planning, and data-driven optimizations. Prior to joining REQ, Brooke spent more than a decade supporting large-scale, global media planning and execution programs at performance marketing agencies iProspect and Neil Patel Digital where she managed Fortune 500 brands including Apple, Intel, Microsoft, Xbox, Levi's, and Anthem. Before her agency career, Brooke spent five years building a best-in-class search team at Adobe Systems, Inc., a software company known for its creative and marketing automation tools. Brooke graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in Integrated Marketing Communications. She has held many titles over the years including Business Owner, Forbes Contributor, Mentor, Mom, Wife, Coach, and now Senior Vice President.

Caitlyn Mills

Job Titles:

Account Executive

As an Account Executive at REQ, Caitlyn serves as the primary contact for REQ clients, offering support and solutions that best suit their digital marketing goals. In addition, she helps drive processes, manages budgets, and assists in content creation that elevates clients' brand visibility. Before joining REQ, Caitlyn worked as a Digital Marketing Analyst for a legal consulting firm where she sharpened her data analysis, market research, and brand strategy skills through an in-house marketing lens. She has also interned for various nonprofits, gaining exposure to sectors ranging from sustainability to social impact and biotechnology. Caitlyn graduated from James Madison University with a BS in Media Arts and Design with a concentration in Creative Advertising. In addition, she spent a semester in London studying British Media and Society, furthering her interest in learning about international cultures. Originally from Charlottesville, VA, Caitlyn will always love the mountainous Shenandoah Valley, though she's looking forward to transitioning to a bigger city: Washington, DC. Outside of work, she enjoys attending concerts with her friends, traveling, and trying new foods.

Casey Dell

Job Titles:

Staff Member

Casey began her career in public relations at a broadcast media relations firm in downtown DC where she pitched high-level television and radio interviews for a variety of clients including the 2016 Democratic National Convention, General Motors, No Labels Organization, US Conference of Mayors, and more. Casey received her BS in Psychology at The George Washington University where she also played on the Division 1 women's lacrosse team all four years. As a DC-area native, Casey is a die-hard Washington Capitals fan and enjoys attending any and every game she can downtown.

Chelsie Higa

Job Titles:

Managing Designer

As a Managing Designer, Chelsie brings a creative eye to creating and deploying compelling visual experiences to intrigue and inspire her clients' audiences. She collaborates with cross-functional teams to build out concepts that meet specific client needs. Chelsie crafts digital solutions including UX/UI, video, and large content pieces such as infographics and e-books. Chelsie graduated from The Art Institute of Las Vegas with a BS in graphic design. She started her career as a freelance designer with an internship in an in-house role. She then discovered and fell in love with the fast-paced and agile environment of agency life. She has worked on a variety of projects within different vertical markets including e-commerce, healthcare, hospitality, and real estate. Originally from Hawaii, Chelsie works out of REQ's Las Vegas office. In her free time, she enjoys playing board games, hiking, and relaxing with her Akita, Lucy. She's a bit of a foodie, loves to travel, and is a huge Golden Knights fan.

Claire O'Mara

Job Titles:

People Operations Coordinator

As People Operations Coordinator, Claire works closely with the EVP of People Operations as well as team members and our client partners. Working closely across the team, Claire oversees and assists with day-to-day operations, including culture, benefits administration, employee relations and recruitment. Prior to joining REQ in 2015, Claire served as the Manager of Treasury Operations for Liberty Mutual in her hometown of Boston. Her tenure brought her to Las Vegas where she continued in her career with the pursuit of her property and casualty license, eventually becoming the Operations Manager and Resident Representative of Liberty Mutual in Las Vegas. In her spare time, Claire enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, going on family vacations, and cheering on her beloved Boston sports teams.