Pinckney Hugo Group

TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
Office Employees	51-100
Total US	51-100
Total Worldwide	51-100

BIOS

Douglas Pinckney, President

As a partner and president of Pinckney Hugo Group, Doug is involved in every aspect of the business from strategy to day-to-day account service. He is also a frequent lecturer in Central New York on the topics of marketing and marketing strategy.

He returned home to Central New York in 2002 after gaining more than 18 years of marketing experience throughout the country. Most recently, he was a senior vice president of sales and marketing for a $400 million aviation services firm where he steered the rebranding of the company and helped facilitate five acquisitions.

Doug earned a degree in finance from the University of Maryland. He did graduate work at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and studied executive education at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. He serves on the board of directors for CenterState CEO and The First Tee.

Aaron Hugo, Chief Strategy Officer

As a partner and chief strategy officer of Pinckney Hugo Group, Aaron is responsible for developing strategic marketing plans for agency clients and overseeing the account service team. He has helped guide the agency to awards such as Best Companies to Work for in New York State, Central New York Business of the Year and Inc. Magazine 5,000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America. Aaron has presented at several colleges and conferences. He has also made multiple TV appearances weighing in as an expert on national advertising campaigns.

Prior to Pinckney Hugo Group, Aaron gained both agency and client-side marketing experience. He has held key positions at some of the top firms in Central New York where he was responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies for agency clients.

Aaron earned his bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College in television-radio with a concentration in advertising and public relations. He is a past president of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York board of directors and a member of the New York State Council Board of Governors by the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s). Aaron was selected as a 2007 “40 Under Forty” honoree in Central New York.

Christopher Pinckney, Executive Creative Director

As a partner and executive creative director of Pinckney Hugo Group, Chris oversees PHG’s creative department. He leads a talented team of more than 20, including art directors, writers, digital designers, interactive developers and video editors to create award-winning work that makes a difference. He has served as an adjunct professor at the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University, and is a frequent speaker and creative judge.

Chris graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo with a bachelor’s degree in studio art. He also studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Chris has donated his time and expertise to numerous charitable organizations in Central New York developing marketing campaigns that have resulted in significant financial successes for each organization. He has served on the board of trustees for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York since 2011.

Adam Jwaskiewicz, VP of Digital Services

As VP of digital services, Adam is responsible for providing creative and strategic direction for digital marketing campaigns and services, creating and executing development strategies, and overseeing all digital activities and projects for local and national agency clients, including the concept and design of websites, digital advertisements, emails and other digital marketing materials.

Prior to joining Pinckney Hugo Group, he was a senior designer at Town Sports International, the largest health club company in the Northeast. He also gained experience at several marketing agencies in New York City. Adam received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of Art and Design at New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. He was a 2018 “40 Under Forty” honoree.

Colleen Kernan, VP of Corporate Communications

As VP of corporate communications, Colleen is responsible for overseeing public relations activities for local and national agency clients, including PR strategy, messaging, internal communications, media relations, and presentation and media training. She has presented on social media and public relations at several colleges and conferences.

Previously, Colleen was a communications assistant for a member of the New York State Assembly. She wrote speeches and press releases, worked with the media, planned events, and hosted and attended meetings with constituents and local organizations.

Colleen has a master’s degree in public relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Berkeley. She is on the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York Board of Directors. She is a 2008 graduate of the Leadership Greater Syracuse and is a past president of the Public Relations Society of America Central New York Chapter. Colleen served six years as a board of directors for On Point for College and was selected as a 2011 “40 Under Forty” honoree in Central New York.

Christine Murray, VP of Media

As VP of media, Christine is responsible for recommending, planning and executing marketing strategies and tactics for agency clients, as well as developing and maintaining successful online advertising campaigns and overseeing the digital and traditional media buying process. She is a Google Qualified Individual with certifications in Google AdWords, Google Analytics IQ and Mobile Advertising.

Prior to joining Pinckney Hugo Group she worked as a digital marketing director at drinkcaffeine, a full-service marketing agency in Madison, Connecticut. She managed both traditional and digital marketing campaigns and coordinated search engine optimization, online advertising, social media and branding initiatives for agency clients such as BIC, Timex and various financial advisory firms in New York City.

Christine has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the Mario J. Gabelli School of Business at Roger Williams University. She serves on the board of directors of the CNY Diaper Bank and as an alumni fraternal advisor for the Nu Sigma chapter of Delta Sigma Pi, a co-ed professional business fraternity at Roger Williams University. She has lent her time to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Christine was a 2017 “40 Under Forty” honoree.

Zack Clark, Creative Director

As creative director, Zack is responsible for developing creative concepts and strategies, as well as overseeing messaging and copy development for agency clients. His responsibilities span across all media platforms including broadcast, video, print, digital and social media. Prior to joining Pinckney Hugo Group, he was with another Central New York advertising agency. He has a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He was a 2015 “40 Under Forty” honoree.