Staff
The NewYorkMattersNow Team
Marc Gronich, President/Chief Executive Officer: www.NewYorkMattersNow.com, a division of Sigma Media Group (SMG), is being founded by Marc Gronich, who brings a unique background to the venture that includes experience as a business owner, journalist, political operative and fundraiser.
More than 30 years of experience at the state Capitol behind the scenes as a staffer in the Assembly and Senate as well as a news reporter for Statewide News Service, Inc., a company Marc founded in 1981.
In the political arena, Marc served as Executive Director of a county political organization, where he led successful fundraising efforts, upgraded the computer system, created the organization’s first website and coordinated a 100-person volunteer staff. Marc has worked on various political campaigns, including fundraising activities on behalf of Republican, Democratic and Independence Party candidates across the state. Marc has also worked on the redistricting of seven counties in New York State. He was most recently employed as a press officer for the New York State Senate.
In addition to the above, Marc has held positions of responsibility that included news editor for Water Technology Magazine.
Alan Marlin, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer: Al brings to SMG more than 20 years of experience in broadcast and cable television working in all facets of the business from the staff level, as a videographer, to management skills, as a News Director and Vice President/General Manager, for a startup cable news channel. Al worked in a similar venture where they started a new concept in local/regional news. His background will be essential in helping SMG secure the best talent for the Company and the affiliate contracts necessary to outlet SMG programming across New York state. Al’s experience with sports and tourism event planning will also be a great asset to help SMG expand its programming options.
Mike Hammer, News Director/Content Manager: Mike is a veteran media consultant and journalist with a long track record of accomplishments as both an editor and writer at a wide variety of publications and online products.
He was a key member of the launch team of both Maxim and Stuff and an architect of the formula that redefined the men’s magazine landscape in the 1990s. He later became the Executive Editor of Maxim and Editor-in-Chief of Stuff.
He later launched Shock—a ground-breaking, pop culture photo news magazine for Hachette Filipacchi Media in America.
Mike was the entertainment editor for the re-launch of YM Magazine and later was the Managing Editor for the re-launch of The Cable Guide as a full size monthly in 1990 and the launch of Total TV as a weekly competitor to TV Guide.
He later served as TV Guide’s Senior Reporter on the television industry and as the launch editor of Min Magazine—which annually celebrates the best of the media industry. He was also one of the creative founders of Riot Media, a multi-platform ‘Tween Boys Brand which included Riot Magazine, a website (RiotWeb.com), comic book, merchandise and electronic games.
Mike also worked as a consultant for the re-launch of OK! Magazine online, offering creative input on the landscape of content, presentation, functionality of the site, as well as contributing marketing and promotion concepts.
Most recently, he served as the Editorial Director of Kuma Games, an online video gaming company where he led a scriptwriting team for both games and animated films, as well as directed the content and landscape of the website. He also conceived and executed marketing and public relations materials, initiatives and events.
Darcy Knapp: Vice President of Sales and Marketing: Darcy comes to SMG with more than 12 years of experience with online marketing at established companies. She also brings experience building sales for start-up ventures, generating new accounts, and presenting sales seminars. Her previous experience includes five years in broadcast radio sales and event marketing, including political advertising sales, for Clear Channel radio; seven years successfully increasing online advertising sales for AutoTrader.com; and two years as the northeast sales representative handling online SEO/SEM/web development for Network Solutions. Darcy has extensive experience selling to advertisers in New York state and New England.
Robert Johnston, Chief Technology Officer/Art Director/Designer: Robert is responsible for leading the new media development team at the Creative Advantage and manages all aspects of development from creative concept and programming to testing and uploading. Robert also oversees print projects from concept to completion. He is focused on capturing a client's targeted audience in any media, as evidenced by his effective, award-winning designs.
