Our Team
What sets McDougall & Duval apart?
Sure, we have broad experience in a wide range of industries, a proven track record working with companies ranging from small businesses to national and international organizations, and a portfolio of award-winning creative that delivers results. What sets us apart though, is that we also have a team of seasoned advertising pros all under one roof: strategic planner, account/project managers, media planner/buyer, public relations director, interactive specialist, art directors, copywriters, proofreader, and production manager.
Come meet some of our team:
Dan Duval
CEO & Creative Chief
After several years working as a copywriter for some of Boston’s largest ad agencies, Dan decided to start his own advertising business. In 1996 his company, known then as Plum Direct, opened its doors in a small one-room office at the Plum Island Airport in Newburyport, MA. In a matter of months, the company grew and pushed Dan to purchase a larger office space in downtown Amesbury, MA. Today, McDougall & Duval is home to 10 full-time employees. Under Dan’s leadership, the agency has managed to win many national and regional awards for creativity, strategic planning and public relations. "The best thing," he says, "about owning my own agency is that I get to surround myself with talented and fun people. It’s the best job in the world!" Dan is a board member of both the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and the New England Financial Marketing Association.
Favorite Vacation Spot: Someplace I haven’t been yet, but I know it’s in the Caribbean and I can hardly wait to get there.
Favorite Quotes: "In life you have two options. You can have fun or freak out." – Jimmy Buffett
Favorite foods: The Friday BBQs we have during the summer at the office. I’m the cook.
Peter Hale
Director of Public Relations
Peter brings more than 17 years of journalism and communications experience to McDougall & Duval. Leading all the agency’s PR initiatives, Peter works directly with our clients to determine their unique communication objectives and deliver sound results using proven strategies. He brings a wide range of experience, having worked in the financial services, publishing, technology and healthcare industries. As a former reporter, he knows what will, and more importantly, what will not catch the media’s attention.
Nicknames: Doctor, Suit, and Petey (for a select few clients, that is)
Hobbies: Playing traditional Irish folk music…see his band at oranmor.net
Associations: Board member for the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival, member of New England Financial Marketing Association
Favorite Commercial/Ad: Reebok's "Terry Tate: Office Linebacker." I want to hire him!
Dianne Konon
Vice President, Production Services
With her no-nonsense approach and her "eagle eye," Dianne has been a crucial member of the M&D team for ten years. Dianne manages and oversees printing and production from start to finish. When client materials are on press, Dianne’s job is to make sure the outcome is nothing short of perfect. Dianne has also become somewhat of an impromptu IT tech and "proofreader extraordinaire."
Favorite Vacation Spot: Peaks Island, Maine
Favorite Quote: "A guilty conscience needs no accuser."
Favorite Food: Homemade Mac & Cheese
Janet Mansfield
Vice President, Client Services
Janet’s focus is making sure projects are on strategy, on schedule and on budget. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and advertising, she tackles M&D client challenges head-on and sees projects through to completion. She’s the ultra-organized go-to woman for effective project management, which keep our clients very happy. Janet is also responsible for developing internal procedures that insure our clients’ overall experience with the agency is continuously improving.
Hobbies: Playing with my 9-year old Yellow Lab, Karlie, and taking mini-vacations somewhere near or on the water.
Something you didn’t know about Janet: I go lobstering with my boyfriend on his lobster boat. I change the bait, haul the traps, band the lobsters, scrub the deck – anything a real "first mate" does. And I have my own Grundens.
Brenda Miskinis
Senior Account Executive
Brenda takes her 20 years of combined professional experience in banking, retail and insurance to provide valuable insight and effective account management to our clients. As a Past President of the ABA New England Chapter (now the New England Financial Marketing Association), Brenda is able to lend her "inside" expertise to many of our bank clients' communication needs. Brenda’s experience as a bank marketer creates a differentiator for McDougall & Duval, allowing us to better translate our clients’ unique marketing objectives and create better and more strategic messaging. When it comes to her clients, Brenda is always ready with facts, figures and most importantly, a warm smile.
Hobbies: Gardening, cooking, flower arranging
Favorite Vacation Spots: Brewster, MA and Germany
Favorite Foods: Savory: Anything with a lot of garlic and onion. Sweet: Fruit and ice cream.
Lori Martone
Media Planner and Buyer
As our resident Media Planner and Buyer, Lori brings almost 30 years of experience to McDougall and Duval. Her diverse background as a radio, TV and newspaper sales rep has given her valuable experience in all forms of media buys. Her background in sales has given her great strength in negotiating rates and creating compelling promotions. Since she worked on the "other side of the fence," Lori knows what extras she can ask for and what she can get, which is very beneficial for our clients.
What do you like most about your job? Because of my past experience, I can, with confidence, create a media campaign that will work for our clients. Since I was a rep for so many years, my favorite part is establishing strong relationships with the media reps and working together to craft a great media plan.
Hobbies: Golf, skiing, volleyball and racquetball. Pottery artist: see my work on lorimartonepottery.com
Something you didn't know about Lori: I have the greatest dog in the world…oh, alright, in New England. I had never had a dog in my past — Mulligan is my constant and most beloved companion!
Mia Thurlow
Co-Creative Director
Mia brings a combination of creativity and artistic talent to the agency that is unmatched. As a passionate artist, she has an ability to solve problems in a visual way, while communicating messages in a unique and creative manner. With over 240 dog-years of experience, Mia has worked across many industries such as medical, high tech and cosmetic.
Hobbies: Painting, drawing, running, skiing, hiking, biking, yoga, swimming, reading, baking/cooking and traveling
Favorite Foods: Raspberries, caviar, oysters
Favorite Commercial/Ad: Budweiser Frogs
Favorite Vacation Spots: Any mountain
Favorite Quote: "He who laughs last didn’t get it."
Julie Rotar
Co-Creative Director
For Jules, incorporating unique creative for marketing and advertising initiatives in industries traditionally known for being conservative is her specialty. When tackling projects for our banking clients, she combines her natural artistic ability, which she’s honed during her 11-year career, with her past experience as Assistant Vice President of Marketing at The Provident Bank. A serial hugger, her bubbly personality helps keep the mood light even during the busiest of seasons.
Favorite Movie: There is not enough room on this site to list them all but AMONG my favorites are: Billy Eliot, Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind, So I Married an Axe Murderer, Princess Bride, Gone with The Wind, Mommy Dearest, The Usual Suspects, The Godfather Trilogy, Far and Away, The Quiet Man, and…are you ready?... Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas and The Dark Crystal – I miss you Jim Henson!
What Do You Like About Your Job? The people I work with are more like family than co-workers, we pick on one another but in a sibling kind of fashion.
Favorite Quote: "A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water." –Eleanor Roosevelt
Suzanne McCarran
Account Coordinator/Traffic Manager
With five years of experience as a professional organizing consultant, Sue has the talents needed to keep our projects on track and running smoothly. She works as both an Account Coordinator and Traffic Manager at McDougall & Duval, and is the lead for the New England Financial Marketers Association account. A woman who wears many hats, Sue brings a little bit of structure and a whole lot of cheer to the agency.
What do you like about your job: Every day is different, but equally rewarding. I love our work family and really enjoy working on the NEFMA account with Dan.
Hobbies: Loving my kids, reading, cooking, boating, beaching it and hanging out with my friends around the fire pit or on the porch in Camp Ellis.
Favorite Vacations Spots: Anywhere where I can dig my toes in the sand, read a great book, feel warm sun and smell the ocean air.