Carolyn Walker

CEO/Managing Partner

CEO, Partner, idea driver. As the leader of our Account and Creative teams, Carolyn is responsible for turning our client partners into raving fans. During her tenure, Response has won over 80 awards (regionally, nationally and internationally) for marketing excellence. She is one of less than 35 people to hold a Marketing At Retail Certification, and was given the Business Times "40 Under 40" Award in recognition of her professional achievement and community involvement. Carolyn is also a graduate of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Leadership Center, and owing to her ownership position, Response is certified by the State of Connecticut as a Woman Owned, Small/Minority Business Enterprise.

Carolyn's innovative thinking and account management skills were honed throughout her 20 years of senior management experience, building revenues and maximizing market competitiveness for multi-million and multi-billion dollar corporations. Carolyn has worked on a few brands you may have heard of, including Finesse Hair Care, Mylanta, Tylenol, and Red Lobster. Before moving to Response, she helped build startup fast-chain restaurant Sandella's into a 125-unit national chain with sales in excess of $12.5MM.

When she's not pushing the team to create disruptive solutions, she's chilling on the beach. Possibly with a margarita or two.

David Klineberg

President/Partner

David, or DK as the kids call him, has over 15 years of marketing experience and is one of the drivers behind the success of Response. As the leader of the Strategy team, David is always searching for unique and innovative answers for our clients' challenges. His digital marketing expertise and clarity of focus help to form well-rounded strategies that help our clients realize the true potential of their brand. Much like the miner who just knows where there's gold, David just knows where to position a client to help them succeed. Unlike a miner, David has all his teeth (that we know of).

As a lad, David earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Journalism from Northeastern University and was named one of Connecticut Magazine’s “40 Under 40” in 2012. He began his career in promotions and public relations in the film business for mPRm Communications, a Los Angeles-based agency, where he worked on theatrical releases and film festival campaigns with many film studios, directors, and producers. We're hoping to use these connections to either meet Jennifer Lawrence or produce Response: The Movie.

David is also the proud father of agency mascot Calvin Klineberg, whom we're all pretty sure is the most well groomed being in the office.

Steve Badowski

VP, Creative

Steve crossed paths with Carolyn and David in the summer of 2016 and instantly connected with their views on what it takes to build a great agency. Previously, he had spent 9 years at Carrot Creative where he helped the agency grow from a small startup in Hamden CT to it’s Brooklyn dominance. He was the acting Chief Creative Officer when Vice Media acquired Carrot in 2012. After moving back to his home state of Connecticut, Steve discovered Response and was eager to share his experience and help catapult the agency to the next level. He spearheaded the effort to refresh the brand, core values, and office culture as Response approached their 15 year anniversary. Steve later joined the team full-time as VP of Creative in early 2017.

As VP of Creative, Steve doesn’t like to over-think the creative process - if you approach the problem with the right people, the necessary preparation, and an open mind, great ideas will bloom. He is always looking for new ways to collaborate with and inspire team members across all departments. He believes that fostering pride in your workplace is paramount and selfishly wants everyone to look at Response and think, "Man, I wish I worked there!"

Steve is a big advocate of living a balanced life away from the computer. When he's not getting his hands dirty in Photoshop or developing a pitch deck, he’s either skiing in Vermont, working on his technique at the rock gym, or planning his next solo backpacking trip.

Marc Broad

VP, Digital

Let's just begin by telling you that Marc is from New Zealand, not Australia. He doesn't throw shrimp on barbies, and he's never been in a fistfight with a kangaroo (that we know of). What Marc has done is build an impressive resume over his 13 years of web development experience. Marc oversees the technology team at Response, including the front and back end developers, user experience specialist, and SEO specialist. Marc and his classy accent have worked for two large international agencies: BBDO (Wellington, New Zealand) and Young & Rubicam (Paris, France) before coming to Response.

His work for the New Zealand Transport agency in 2008 picked up 13 international awards including D&AD, One Show, Best awards, Axis and The Webby Awards. Outside of work, he enjoys restoring vintage furniture, cooking, red wine and is an avid sports fan, though you wouldn't know it by this year's fantasy football standings...ZING!

Kim DeMartino

VP, Client Services

Kim, or "mom" as her kids and some clients call her, is our resident Account Management guru. As the VP, Client Services, Kim is responsible for ensuring our clients are happy and well taken care of. She works directly with almost all of our client partners, most notably STANLEY Black & Decker. In addition to client management, she also babysits, er, works hand in hand with the creative team to make sure all client deadlines are met, and all creative is on brand and on strategy.

Before coming to Response, Kim worked for direct marketing clients like The Hartford, MetLife and The Gartner Group. She then spent the next decade or so working with CPG companies such as Unilever HPC, Mars Snackfood and The Dannon Company. Unfortunately, these former ties have resulted in no free candy or yogurt.

When not at work, Kim stays busy at her other full time job being mom to her two little guys, Tyler and Luke. She also enjoys the occasional glass of wine. These things are not entirely coincidental.

Matt Durand

Senior Art Director

Matt, or The Duranimal as he's known in cage fighting circles, has been a vital member of our team since June of 2011. Since then, he's played a large role in the visual direction of almost our entire client roster, and has worked on projects including website and app design, user experience planning, logo development, advertising, album artwork, and plenty more. He also usually has the best crackers at his desk, and he's not here today, so if you'll excuse me...

OK, back. Where were we? Oh yeah, Matt. Matt holds an MFA in graphic design from the Savannah College of Art and Design, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University (to which he now is an adjunct professor of design). Prior to Response, Matt worked on big name liquor brands such as Jameson, Absolut, and Kahlua, and non-alcoholic clients like Benefiber and Maalox (a dream come true, no doubt). Matt has also worked on brands such as Captain Morgan’s, Smirnoff, Guinness, Trojan, and Arm & Hammer.

Though usually a reserved fellow, just try and stop him from singing when a Toby Keith song comes on.

Julia Nuara

Senior Account Manager

Julia is our Senior Account Executive extraordinaire who can overcome almost any obstacle, literally. While on the job she helps brands like STANLEY Black & Decker, PROTO, The Hope Company, and Amazon Web Services achieve their goals, outside of work she competes in obstacle course races like the Spartan Race, Warrior Dash, and Battlefrog. Though we all think she's nuts, she's one of the few here who can climb our three flights of stairs without getting winded. Touche, Julia.

Julia is instrumental in implementing detailed marketing, media and social plans from start to finish, as well as analyzing and maintaining ongoing campaigns. She's a graduate of Quinnipiac University where she earned both her Bachelor's and MBA degrees.

Other than running in mud and climbing walls for fun, Julia considers herself a lover of both animals and wine. It's her life's dream to own a house with enough property to rescue all the dogs (her words). Bonus points if said property has a vineyard.

Jenna Coulson

Social Media Manager

Jenna is our resident Social Media Manager and Selfie Expert, helping us all to find the best places and poses for those days when our hair is just on "fleek". Uh, Jenna, did I use that right? She also keeps us on point with our latest slang. As our Social Media Manager, Jenna helps build our clients' social following, and helps drive sales through social promotions and ad campaigns. She's worked with Uncle Julio's, AnkleAid, and Gift Card Mall among others.

Jenna graduated from Manhattanville College where she studied Psychology and Sociology. Yes, she absolutely knows what you're thinking right now, and no, she won't tell anyone...for a price ;) Before coming to Response, Jenna spent time working with children, which turned out to be the best primer ever for working at an ad agency.

On top of being her social media responsibilities, Jenna is also our office manager. This gives her complete control over the snacks, and therefore the entire agency. Play nice and she may just tell you where the Doritos are hidden.

Chris Rollins

Creative Assistant

Originally from the Bronx, Chris is beginning to make noise in New Haven with his social skills and impeccable style. He is a recent graduate of both the University of New Haven and the Response internship program (we’re still waiting for his tuition payments). Though he may have majored in Music and Sound Recording at UNH, Chris’ role as a Creative Assistant means he makes beautiful music with our creative team.

When he is not creating social posts for clients, or "Just being Chris Rollins," as he says, he can be found creating his own beats and organizing music events around downtown New Haven and Wallingford. Chris has a strong entrepreneurial streak, as evidenced by his starting an entertainment company at the age of 18. He also leads the agency in third-person usage. In fact, Chris Rollins may be the only one who says Chris Rollins at Response. This could explain his love of Kanye West. Either way, Chris says he loves everyone here equally, including Chris Rollins.

Tanya Kanner

Art Director

Tanya has been lucky to call many corners of the globe home, and has always had an appetite for travel and adventure. Her love for diversity of culture, cuisine, styles and trends has had a strong influence on her creative thinking and her ability to approach design challenges through a unique lens.

Tanya started her own business right out of school and spent almost a decade consulting for small and large companies to help craft strong visual identities and grow their brand presence. Before joining the Response team, she was Associate Creative Director at a fin-tech start up, leading a team of designers and developers in creative strategy and design for financial products in the higher-ed space.

When Tanya’s not designing, you’ll find her exploring new countries with her husband, running around with her rescue pup Riley, or cooking up a storm for family and friends.

Chris Melillo

Web Developer

Chris got his first taste of the web when he was 5 years old, it was love at first sight and since then he has delved into all things tech. Given the chance Chris will tear into any new tech that crosses his path looking to learn all the ins and outs of what makes it tick. Studying visual communications in Delaware and then working as a web developer in Boston for a time, Chris has returned to his home state of Connecticut in his journey through the web.

When he does manage to stop tinkering around with one device or another, there are few times Chris can resist the opportunity to get outdoors. The majority of that time is spent in the mountains either hiking or snowboarding, depending on the season. No matter what Chris is doing though he is never far from his constant companion Dakota, a Seeing Eye dog released from the program that he has since adopted.

Jason Rose

Copywriter

Jason is a foodie, guitarist, and vinyl collector — but stories will always be his first love. He is passionate about the great stories waiting to be found in everything from literature and movies, to meals, songs, or a heartbreaking loss suffered by the Minnesota Vikings.

As a copywriter, it’s Jason’s job to help our clients tell great stories. Whether it’s a campaign or website copy, a video script or manifesto, Jason ensures that brand communication is compelling and supports strategic business goals.

Jason draws from his experience as a journalist, in public relations, and as an agency content strategist to inform the copy and content he writes for Response’s clients.

Calvin Klineberg

Motivational Barker

Calvin brings 21 years of experience (3 in human years) to Response. He graduated with honors from Paws & Effect Canine Training Academy and has taken home top honors in A Dog's Life Annual Halloween Costume Contest.

In addition to his motivational barking duties he is responsible for elevating the cuteness level of the office as well as bringing a smile to the faces of our team. In his spare time he enjoys tummy rubs, giving high fives, staring contests, naps, and walks on the beach.