Martinez Communications Growing In Jacksonville.

The Jacksonville-based advertising agency recently announced that Jorge Brunet, Diane Brunet, Cristina Gonzalez Parcell, Allison Blackstone and Sarah Rice have joined the agency’s team.

Paul Martinez, president of Martinez Communications, said, “This is a very exciting time in the evolution of Martinez Communications. I founded the agency four years ago with two people: a bookkeeper and myself. Since then, we’ve steadily picked up new accounts and grown right along with our longstanding clients. This has necessitated staff additions to service both the Hispanic and mainstream areas of our business. We have been lucky to identify and hire top-notch personnel with multi-lingual capabilities.”

Jorge Brunet assumes an equity position at Martinez and will serve as vice president, creative director. His responsibilities will include supervising the day-to-day operations of the agency, as well as developing campaign strategies and supporting new business development. A native of Cuba, Jorge has used his bilingual background to reach both English and Spanish-speaking markets.

Before coming to Martinez Communications, Jorge was vice president and creative director for Willman & Company. Jorge was also associate creative director at Robin Shepherd Studios where he led the Merck AgVet account consisting of three prescription, companion animal products. During his tenure, he led the successful reintroduction of Heartgard, the now-familiar veterinary health care product, with an array of print and broadcast campaigns.

During his career, Jorge has garnered recognition for a number of advertising campaigns and successful product launches for a client list that includes Centex Homes of North Florida, Coca-Cola USA, Domino’s Pizza, Union Carbide/Monsanto, Foot Locker, the Florida Lottery, South Florida Chrysler Dealers, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Blue Bird Coachlines and Crawford Homes.

Diane Brunet assumes an equity position at Martinez Communications and will serve as vice president, business development. She will oversee new business, self-promotion, strategic marketing, public and media relations.

With nearly 20 years in advertising, Diane has worked on varied accounts in both creative and account service capacities. Some of her clients have included The John Harland Company, Kimberly-Clark, Coca-Cola USA, The Network of City Business Journals, Sprint, Time Warner Cable, Merck Pharmaceuticals, AccuStaff, The Weather Channel, Dave & Buster’s, The Golf Channel, and Walt Disney World Resorts.

Diane’s diverse background includes the distinction of being among the first class of 80 women ever admitted to U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. She has led a number of women’s organizations, having served as both vice president and president of Women In Film. The recipient of numerous regional Addy awards and marketing communications awards from IABC, Diane has also received national commendation awards from American Women in Radio & TV and the Broadcast Designer’s Association for her work in television production.

Cristina Gonzalez Parcell, a multi-lingual account executive, will oversee client relations for both governmental and private sector accounts. Cristina is fluent in English, Spanish and French, and well versed in Italian and Portuguese. Prior to assuming her new position, Cristina was assistant director of The Chappell Schools, University Center.
Leveraging her multi-lingual capabilities, Cristina has spent a large part of her career in the hospitality industry, working as a translator for several Marriott properties and corporate training programs. She has lived and studied in Africa, South America and the Caribbean.

Prior to moving to Florida, Cristina lived in Washington D.C. There, she worked for the Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) and was the youngest campaign employee for the Bush presidential campaign in 1988. Cristina also worked as a Republican Senate Page for Senator Robert Dole.

Allison Blackstone has been appointed to the position of associate creative director. Raised in Panama, Allison has worked in advertising since her graduation from the University of North Florida in 1994. At Martinez Communications, Allison will oversee the creative staff and manage external vendor relationships.

With experience in banking, tourism, real estate, franchises, transportation and the Internet, Allison recently won a Gold Addy for a brochure she designed for the Clara White Mission. An active member of American Institute of Graphic Artists and the Jacksonville Advertising & Marketing Club, Allison has served as an adjunct design professor at Flagler College in St. Augustine. To further explore her love of photography, Allison has begun working as a photographer’s assistant, and she volunteers her time for the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art.

Sarah Rice has joined the firm as art director. A graduate of Flagler College, Sarah will focus on multi-lingual advertising materials for clients Hispanic CREO and The Regalos Festival. Sarah is actively involved as a youth counselor and volunteers her time for the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art.