DENISE RESTAURI, FOUNDER and CEO

Email: denise@allykatzz.com

Denise Restauri is the country's foremost tween girl expert. As Founder & CEO of AK Tweens and AllyKatzz.com, she is able to translate tween thoughts and opinions into valuable feedback and guidance for companies as they develop new products and services, marketing and advertising campaigns, and brands geared for tween and young teen girls. This insight has made Restauri a sought after and frequent commentator on the subject of tween girls on national television, newspapers, magazines and radio programs including CBS Early Show, The Today Show, BBC America, ABC, NPR, E!Online, USA TODAY, People Magazine, More Magazine and many others. She currently serves as the tween girl expert on TrueSlant.com.

Denise Restauri has more than 25 years of marketing and sales experience, including nine years as VP of Sales for USA TODAY, where she was the creative and business force behind the evolution of USA TODAY into the "travelers" newspaper and the #1 newspaper in the nation. In addition, she worked closely with the White House to produce education programs that put USA TODAY in the nation's classrooms. Subsequently, Restauri founded a marketing consulting firm and co-created Promapalooza™, a TV show for teens built around seamless product placement, optioned by Bender-Brown Productions, before forming AK Tweens.

JANIS GAUDELLI, RESEARCH

Janis lives and breathes youth culture! She is a highly insightful and experienced culture vulture/market researcher with over twelve years' experience deep-diving into the tween/teen/college/mom psyche.

With deep dedication and passion for understanding the tween/teen/college/mom consumer, Janis thrives and excels in interpreting their behaviors and psychological makeup. Through her exploratory research she develops unique and successful marketing and advertising programs for clients targeting their desired demographic.

But what sets her apart from other market researchers is both her high-touch relationship with the consumer and because of those connections, Janis has a wonderful ability to predict where they're going. She has a particular expertise and profound fascination in forecasting generational trends and applying those trends to future business strategies with great success.

After being the "go-to-girl" for youth-centric companies like Teen People, Wet Seal and Reebok, Janis took her youth-guru abilities and started a company by the same name. At GO-TO-GIRL, Janis created an online community of over 7,500 tweens, teens and modern moms that she taps into for all her research needs. Some of GTG's clients included: Warner Bros., Reebok, Saatchi & Saatchi, General Mills, InStyle, Lucky Magazine, Premise Immersive Marketing, Allykatzz.com and CommonSenseMedia.org.

Now Janis has made the move to join the Allykatzz family, where she will be assisting client on their tween-research needs.

Besides research, Janis's greatest passion is mentoring teens. She serves on many youth mentoring boards and helps in creating progressive educational initiatives.

DIANE LIGHT WAIGHT, SALES

Email: diane@allykatzz.com

Diane has over 20 years experience in sales, marketing and management. She has a track record of identifying and capitalizing on growth opportunities through analysis, product expertise, and sound business instincts. She is proficient in securing contracts for web-based and software products still in development because of her experience working for venture capital and start-up companies, and her programming experience. Many clients consider her a partner versus a vendor because of her relationship building skills and her ability to quickly assimilate the clients' needs. She has significant pre-existing relationships built throughout the United States. Her clients have included major companies such as Nissan, TracFone, VF Corporation, Georgia-Pacific, Kimberly-Clark, Gannett, Burger King, Kids II, Bank of NY, Wachovia, AstraZeneca, UPS, General Mills and Gillette.

KEITH CUTLER, MARKETING STRATEGIST

Keith Cutler is a highly networked marketing and sponsorship strategist who is an expert in building brands, launching new products and generating revenue. As president and CEO of KC Marketing Group LLC, Cutler specializes in brand marketing, sports/entertainment marketing and strategic partnerships. In addition to working with AK Tweens, other clients include PickTeams Online Gaming (selected by Inc. Magazine as a 2009 “Top Ten Coolest College Start-up”), Heads & Tails TV - producer of Animal Planet’s “Dr’s Foster & Smith Faithful Friends” as well as the NY/NJ Chapter of Children’s Miracle Network. Cutler’s career has also included a longtime stint at USA TODAY as Director of Sports & Event Marketing and was also the Founder/Publisher of USA TODAY Baseball Weekly. He also served as a Sr. Vice President of Sales and Business Development at CBS Television Stations Digital Media Group and Turner Sports where he was Executive Vice President/Sports Marketing & Sales. Cutler graduated from the University of Florida and now serves on UF’s Advertising Department Advisory Board. Cutler has two daughters who enjoy photography, all types of music and taking special trips.

LAURA CAMIEN, TWEEN SUMMIT EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Laura Camien spent 13 years representing Blue Man Group as the company grew from small Off-Broadway production to household name. As the Senior Director of Press, Laura strategized the successful launch of domestic and international theatrical productions, concerts, albums, toys and children’s museum exhibits. In her quest to generate worldwide recognition for the creative organization, Laura had the opportunity to work with the most influential media outlets in the US and abroad, as well as partner music labels, theme parks, casinos and film & television companies. In 2004, Laura founded Bridge Club Productions as a personal project, and began developing theatrical productions of her own. In 2008, she became a Broadway Producer with the Tony-nominated musical [title of show]. (www.titleofshow.com) A published playwright, Laura is currently writing a new play with Broadway Director/Actor Michael Berresse. Laura is passionate about increasing self esteem in girls of all ages, and in addition to her work with AK Tweens, she works diligently with arts organizations in NYC—volunteering, teaching, writing and performing with groups, including The Arts Effect and Opening Act, whose missions include using the arts to empower the next generation of world leaders.

JESS WEINER, SUMMIT ADVISOR

This generation’s “Go-to Girl” for self-esteem, Jess Weiner is motivating women and girls to develop self-confidence, self-knowledge and self-acceptance. Whether hosting a seminar for mothers and daughters on today’s pressure to be beautiful, writing a monthly ‘body image’ column for Seventeen magazine or working with celebrities such as Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Lopez to spread the message on self-esteem, Weiner understands the issues facing young women today and has been called upon as a trusted advisor, mentor and role model for mothers and daughters. Having lived through trauma and drama herself – spending her teenage years struggling with eating disorders and low self-esteem – Weiner has written several books including A Very Hungry Girl and Life Doesn’t Begin 5 Pounds From Now. Jess is now the Chief Creative Officer for Talk to Jess, LLC, a media company dedicated to creating a nation of confident women and girls. She also serves as the Global Ambassador for the Dove Self-Esteem Fund, and plays a vital role in Dove’s global campaigns throughout North America and Canada, while also contributing a featured column to the Dove Digital Channel on MSN. Working as a frequent contributor to such shows as The Today Show, CNN Showbiz Tonight, and The Tyra Banks Show, Jess offers advice on topics ranging from body image to relationships, friendships, family issues and media pop culture. She is also a frequent speaker at the nation’s most prestigious institutes, Fortune 500 corporations and universities.