About Us
The Mid-Michigan Creative Alliance (MMCA) is affiliated with the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the largest and oldest advertising trade association. Regionally, the MMCA is part of the AAF District 6. On a local level, the MMCA brings together all creative disciplines in the greater Lansing area, including advertising, design, marketing, media and public relations. Our goal is to promote and foster a relationship between these disciplines, and to cultivate a relationship with future creative talent in the area. The MMCA is completely operated by volunteers and we’re always looking for new members and creative folks to help out.
New Leadership
The 2011-2012 MMCA board and its committees formed out of both intense interest and necessity. Over the last several years the MMCA has faced leadership and organizational challenges, but it’s nothing a group of dedicated creatives couldn’t handle.
Since elected in June 2011, the MMCA board has worked tirelessly to build value for members while working towards a common goal of promoting creativity in the region. We know it won’t be easy, but we’re excited about reengaging past members as well as introducing the MMCA to new ones.
So, if there’s something you want to see (or don’t want to see) give us a holler. We’re not opposed to change, in fact … we’re thriving on it.
History
Formerly the Lansing Advertising Club, the MMCA is the oldest chapter of AAF in the state. To meet the needs of a changing industry, the Lansing Ad Club changed its name to the Mid-Michigan Creative Alliance in 2007. No longer just a place for advertising professionals to gather, we welcome professionals from all creative disciples … even creative CPAs (if they exist).
The Board
Katie Wittenauer, President
Katie works as the Communications Manager at Impression 5 Science Center. Her background is in advertising copywriting, but after working in Louisiana for Teach for America, she became more interested in writing for non-profits. She also teaches a writing course at MSU, and that’s how she ended up there for grad school.
FUN FACT: She was the Junior Rodeo Champion of the Gallatin Valley Fair.
Julie Becker, Vice-President
As part of the Motion Marketing & Media team, Julie recently completed an 11-day social media road trip for M3, tweeting from all 83 counties in Michigan to promote positivity about our state. She also chaired the 2010 MMCA Studio Crawl, resulting in the highest event and after-party attendance to date.
FUN FACT: She volunteers in the NICU at Sparrow as a certified infant massage therapist.
Dottie Zimmerman, Secretary
Dottie has worked as a graphic designer for the past 7 years at firms in St. Louis, MO and most recently at CiesaDesign. She just recently ventured into “doing her own thing” a.k.a. freelance. She also writes a DIY column for Capital Area Women’s Lifestyle Magazine.
FUN FACT: She enjoys using power tools!
Chrissy Greenough, Programming Chair
Chrissy is a graduate of both the MSU Art Department and the MSU Broad College of Business and currently works as a designer at Pace and Partners. While studying abroad, she worked at Harrod’s in London as a marketing intern. She also won student best of show at the 2010 ADDY awards and was part of the team that won best of show at the 2011 ADDY awards (2 years running!)
FUN FACT: She has run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain
Justin “Bugsy” Sailor, Membership Chair
Justin works as a Developer at Traction and is an MSU alum with a bachelors degrees in advertising and sociology. He was involved with the student AAF and the National Advertising Student Competition as a presenter, campaign strategist and researcher. He is official unofficial ambassador of the Upper Peninsula. He also wrangled a sponsorship from Jeep as part of a nationwide roadtrip.
FUN FACT: He’s been to the top of the Mackinac Bridge!
Jessy Harger, Website Chair
Jessy is a graduate from Eastern Michigan University where she obtained a degree in both Graphic Design and Marketing and was involved in EMU’s student AIGA. She is currently the senior designer at Redhead Design Studio. She was also part of a team that took home the Best of Show Interactive ADDY two years in a row.
FUN FACT: She once ran away as a child and lived inside a willow tree for 1 full day
Carly Schiff, Board Member At-Large
Carly is an account coordinator at Pace & Partners and has her hand in many accounts. She has worked on many projects that have won both ADDYs and PACE awards. She also played the role of a talking thumb in an Office of Highway Safety Planning commercial.
FUN FACT: At the age of three, she drove her mothers car in an attempt to win her sister’s Barbie doll collection.
Dominic Cochran, Past President
Dom is a Partner and Cinematographer at Ahptic Film & Digital. He is also the Executive Director for Lansing Public Media Center and the Co-founder of the Capital City Film Festival. He also produced and shot music videos for Nelly Furtado, Miley Cyrus, and D12 AND Shot commercial campaigns for Audi, Oldsmobile, Dow, Toyota, VH1, and MTV.
FUN FACT: He’s planning to circumnavigate the globe in a sailboat.