BIOS

Linda Mann - President and CEO

Linda Mann is a seasoned marketing communications professional with diverse public relations experience. A strategic thinker, excellent writer and media placement specialist, Linda has developed comprehensive public relations programs for a wide range of clients.

From 1977 to 1987, Linda worked at John Walsh Associates, handling high-profile corporate golf, tennis and track-and-field events for Colgate-Palmolive Co. At JWA she worked also on the Cutty Sark Menswear Awards, Finlandia Vodka, Baron Philippe de Rothschild Wines, ArtExpo, Davidoff of Geneva Tobacconists and Elizabeth Arden.

From 1987 to 1997, Linda was a senior officer at Jody Donohue Associates, one of the foremost fashion/lifestyle PR agencies in the nation, handling Swatch, Almay Cosmetics, Echo Design Group, Spiegel Catalog, Speedo, Charlotte Moss Interior Design and The Humane Society of New York; international design names such as Bob Mackie, Scaasi, Givenchy, Celine and Ferragamo; as well as several projects for the Italian Trade Commission, the Commercial Office of Spain and Montres et Bijoux Geneve.

In 1997, Linda and her JDA colleague Joan Deignan formed Deignan/Mann, Inc. During the five-year partnership, their client roster included Kids “R” Us, Essence Magazine, Girls Rule!, Loehmann’s, Body Central Wellness Center, D. Esse Spa, Matthew David Events, Delacorte Press and Rizzoli Publishing, as well as designers Bob Mackie, Donald Deal, Donna Haag and Haneza.

In 2002, Linda launched Mann Media, Inc., specializing in fashion, retail, beauty, health and lifestyle public relations, writing services and media training.

New York City-born and raised, Linda attended Brooklyn College and The New School for Social Research. She has studied French and Italian at Alliance Française and Parliamo Italiano respectively. A movie and theater buff, fanatic reader, blogger, frustrated traveler, and would-be gardener, Linda lives in Greenwich Village. She is a member of Women in Communications, and she works regularly with a number of charities, including Gilda’s Club, Lighthouse International, and SHARE.

Antoinette Fitapelli – Senior Media/Marketing Consultant

Antoinette Fitapelli brings an extensive integrated marketing background to her role as Managing Director of AFPR Group, a boutique marketing/PR company. Antoinette’s affiliation with Mann Media has been a trusted and valued relationship having worked together with Linda for almost 20 years.

Antoinette has represented clients in diverse categories, including home design, fashion, beauty, personal care, retail, entertainment and publishing. She is passionate about the power of public relations and skilled at building strategic messages to influence target consumer behavior and – ultimately impact a brand’s image and bottom line.

Antoinette has more than two decades of public relations experience and has handled a broad range of clients in the apparel, beauty, lifestyle and retail arenas, including Salvatore Ferragamo, Sara Lee Corporation, Swatch Watches, Shiseido, Gillette Corporation, Loehmann's, DuPont Lycra, and the U.S. Shoe Corporation.

Antoinette is known for the measurable impact she has in achieving tangible business results for major brands, as well as for her success in building and managing AFPR’s consumer marketing practice. Her out-of-the-box creativity has helped introduce new brands to the market and revitalize mature brands.

Previously, Antoinette was account director of J. Walter Thompson's public relations division in New York, where she managed the Wolverine Footwear Group, including Wolverine Work Boots, Hush Puppies and Caterpillar brands. In addition, Antoinette also worked as special projects consultant on the DeBeers Diamonds account and developed market outreach strategy for the "Diamonds for Men" campaign.

Prior to joining J. Walter Thompson, Antoinette held the position of Vice President of Public Relations for the Kinney Shoe Corporation and was responsible for program development of all divisions, including Kinney Shoes, Footlocker, Lady Footlocker, Champs Sports and special projects for the Woolworth Corporation. She was also responsible for strategic planning and media relations for Lady Footlocker's "Race for the Cure" project, which helped to develop national exposure for women's health care issues.

A graduate of New York University, Antoinette is a member of Fashion Group International and Women in Communications.