Janine Gordon, President & CEO
Janine Gordon is a recognized authority on public relations and brand reputation management. She is the president and CEO of Janine Gordon Associates, a full service agency she founded in 1993. Earlier, Janine spent 17 years with Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising, as Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications and a member of the Operating Committee. Simultaneously, she served as President of Saatchi & Saatchi Public Relations, a division of the ad agency that she launched and built into prominence.
Janine has a keen understanding of both the domestic and foreign marketing environments. Earlier in her career, as Press Officer of Harrods of Knightsbridge, she generated traffic for the British store's legendary departments. Returning Stateside, she was appointed to JC Penney's elite Marketing Task Force, analyzing the marketing programs of every division of the company to insure maximum profitability.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Janine was a member of its Trustees Council of Penn Women and has served as Chair of the University's ad hoc Marketing Committee. A popular industry spokesperson, her views on topical communications issues are often quoted.
Janine and her husband reside in Manhattan and Millbrook, New York. She is a member of The Century Association, The Cosmopolitan Club, The Mashomack Preserve and Millbrook Golf and Tennis Club.
Alvin Schechter, Chairman
Alvin Schechter is the former Chairman and CEO of Interbrand Corporation. With more than 1,000 professionals and 26 offices around the world, Interbrand is today the leading global brand consultancy. Branding and identity systems created or enhanced by Interbrand during Alvin's tenure are currently in use by dozens of Fortune 100 companies, ranging from AT&T to Xerox.
Upon his retirement as Chairman in 1996, Alvin founded The Interbrand Foundation to assist non-profits with their branding needs, on a pro bono basis.
He became Chairman and a principal of Janine Gordon Associates in 2003. In that role, Alvin advises the JGA team on strategy and branding issues, designs research to evaluate the effectiveness of client branding practices, counsels on brand architecture and positioning, naming, logo development, websites and visual identity systems. As well, Alvin provides guidance in the evaluation and selection of branding firms, including preparation of RFP's.
John Donofrio, Chief Financial Officer
John Donofrio brings a wealth of financial and administrative skills to Janine Gordon Associates. Prior to joining JGA's management team, John founded his own successful bookkeeping and tax planning practice. He holds an MBA from the City University of New York and a BBA in Accountancy from Pace University's Lubin School of Business.
Jodi Bannerman, Director
Over the past four years, Jodi Bannerman has directed marketing and media relations programs and conducted media training for JGA clients. With experience centered on premium lifestyle brands, Jodi focuses primarily on food and fine dining, travel, lifestyle, publishing and not-for-profit. She delights in building on traditional media outreach by integrating digital media and blogger events into campaigns. Prior to joining JGA, Jodi managed PR accounts and events for public affairs, fine arts, design and leading consumer brands. Earlier, she worked on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide to Senator John Breaux. Jodi earned a Master's degree in Political Communication from the Louisiana State University Manship School of Mass Communication and a B.A. in Corporate Journalism from Auburn University.
Lauren Banyar Reich, Director
Lauren Banyar Reich loves expanding brand connections. She designs impactful, strategic campaigns that incorporate media relations, marketing, partnerships and events. Lauren's creativity and enthusiasm for her clients – and for the media – heighten brand awareness and generate hard-hitting placements. She excels at identifying and targeting JGA clients' audiences wherever they are – from Facebook and Twitter to magazines, blogs, newspapers and broadcast media. Previously, Lauren worked at an agency specializing in book publicity; and earlier, in the world of special events and entertainment, she designed and executed fundraising events for major organizations and provided celebrity talent and production services. Lauren is a graduate of the University of Maryland's School of Journalism.
