MKCREATIVE is a video production, creative services and digital media training agency with clients in Baltimore, Washington D.C., and New York City. We work with social enterprises, colleges, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations to help them share their stories with stakeholders, news media, and followers on social networks.
Our mission is to help our clients create positive change in the communities they serve through the strategic use of digital media training workshops in graphic design, slide presentations, photography, and video production. We are also offer multi-camera video production services to NGOs and universities looking to take their client, donor, volunteer or community outreach narratives to a wider audience online and beyond.
Creative Director // Video Producer // Educator //
MARCO KATHURIA, Principal, MKCREATIVE
Marco Kathuria is a university lecturer, community media instructor, and independent video producer. He works with the nonprofit sector in Washington DC and New York City. He is also co-founder of The Knowledge Fountain — an online learning and peer-to-peer community for nonprofit organizations and their employees.
Prior to establishing MKCREATIVE in 1998, Marco worked as a freelance producer at public television stations in New York City and Dallas, during which time he also co-owned a television production company, Mystery Trout Productions, Inc. Mystery Trout conceived and developed a number of cultural and music television pilots destined for the public television system.
Marco has won a number of video and television awards, including the USA Film Festival “Finalist” Award and two EMMA Awards. A graduate of Newcastle University Business School (UK) where he read Economics, Marco then earned his Masters degree in Broadcasting from Boston University.
Art Director // Graphic Designer // Presentation Artist //
ANNIE VELLETRI, Senior Designer, MKCREATIVE
Annie Velletri has been a designer, art director, and presentation specialist for over 35 years. She is widely respected for bringing creativity to the resolution of complex visual problems.
She has worked with dozens of companies and government agencies, each with visual needs that are distinct for each client. Using a collaborate approach for which she is well known, Annie works with high level corporate and government executives to find elegant yet simple and timely solutions to the customer’s communication needs.
Annie received her BFA degree from American University and her MFA from the Mount Royal Department at the Maryland Institute College of Art.
She lives with her husband and three dogs in Bethesda MD.
Consultant: Technology and Communications // Law & Public Policy //
JAMES KLEIN, Principal, KAPPADIGITAL
James Klein and his team offer complete website design, agile development and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) services. James is also the Founder and President of KPRENSA, a niche news agency that creates and syndicates feature content on Latin America and Latino culture and lifestyle to Spanish language, English language and bilingual newspapers and websites throughout North America.
Consultant: Copywriter // Grant Writer // Educator //
DON AKCHIN, Principal, Don Akchin Strategic Communications
Don Akchin helps nonprofits engage with donors and other critical audiences through marketing and communications. A communications professional with more than 30 years’ experience, he formed Don Akchin Strategic Communications, in Baltimore in 2005 to work exclusively with clients in the nonprofit sector. Previously he was Director of Membership Development for The Enterprise Foundation (now Enterprise Community Partners). He served as marketing director for graduate and continuing studies programs at Towson University, and as marketing manager for Baltimore City Community College.
Before coming to Baltimore in 1984, he was a magazine editor for Whittle Communications and a newspaper reporter for The St. Petersburg Times. He won a state first place award in print journalism and a national first place and “Best in Show” award in academic marketing. His articles on nonprofit marketing have been published in several publications. He also writes a blog, “The Accidental Marketer.” He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in professional writing.
Consultant: Public Relations //
LINDA CRONIN-GROSS, Principal, LCG Communications LLC
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Linda Gross graduated from Queens College of the City University of New York and has been in the pr business for more than 25 years. For the past 13 years, she has been the president of her own firm, LCG Communications. She has spent most of her pr career in the non-profit sector, strategizing and implementing campaigns for progressive activist groups, “cause” campaigns and labor unions. She also provided communications and media support for many progressive political campaigns from NY City Council to Congress.
She is a sought after lecturer and teacher and has lead classes in media and media training for labor unions, grassroots groups, funders, political candidates and elected officials. She has taught at Hunter College and Cornell University’s Union Leadership Program and is one of the original Huffington Post bloggers.
She has lived in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn for 30 years, and has two amazing children, Liam and Amanda.
Consultant: Presentation Artist // WordPress Website Developer //
MEREDITH DITTMAR, Principal, Dittmar Design LLC
Meredith Dittmar moved to the Washington, DC area after earning a BA in Art from the University of New Hampshire. She has since enjoyed a career in graphic design and marketing communications for more than 20 years. In the late ‘80s, Meredith worked on Department of Defense contracts before landing a contract job at NASA headquarters, where she supervised a graphic design team for more than five years. In the early ‘90s, Meredith and a colleague formed Colorado Design Associates, a graphic design firm in Northwest DC. For the next decade, Meredith continued to hone her craft as she built relationships with DC area service providers and clients.
With a strong focus on marketing and PR, Meredith now provides effective communications tools and strategies with lasting benefits for clients. Her project management experience is key to delivering on time, within budget. Meredith’s training in the fine arts is evident in her design work, which features clean layout and strong use of photography. Specialties include presentation and publications design and layout, corporate branding, website design, and illustration.
Consultant: Executive Speaker Coach // Presentations Director //
ED ROLAND, Principal, Roland Productions
Ed Roland has been a Presentations Director working with executives in technology, pharmaceutical, advertising, financial, and other industries since the early 2000’s. Trained as a theatre director, and with over 20 years experience in the graphic and presentations design area, he brings a fully rounded approach to speaker training: helping clients take an idea from “the page to the stage.” From the thought process that goes into the initial creation of a presentation, to understanding the most effective way to rehearse it, and then finally, to being able to comfortably and confidently get up in front of an audience and deliver it, Ed will guide you along the way. It’s not mimicry or tricks – it’s about making a true connection with the material that you are presenting, making connections with your own speaking skills and abilities, and ultimately, making a connection with your audience.
Consultant: Social Media Marketing // Graphic Designer // Photographer //
RICK KNIGHT, Principal, RBKnight Creative Services
Rick Knight is an Apple-trained technology instructor and social media manager. He has worked with professional sports franchises, magazines and newspapers, musicians, and a chicken salesman from Salisbury, Maryland. Studying and participating in social media for longer than the term has existed, Rick has compiled an inventory of experience, knowledge and know-how that he can’t help but share.
Consultant: Photographer //
DAVID LITTLE-SMITH, Principal, DLS Photo
David Little-Smith has been making photographs for more than 25 years. In that time, he has shot virtually every type of photograph from products to events to documentary. A digital photography expert who knows his way around a darkroom, he has also worked extensively as a graphic artist and offers graphics services along with his photography or as a standalone service.
