Carrie Leach-Zelnis

So, what’s this “Rockstar” business all about?

A creative marketer with a musical background, Carrie initially pursued photography and graphic design to learn how to make elaborate album covers and booklets for her own music. Emotionally-driven writing had always been her passion, and the visual representation of lyrics using creative typography gave her the ability to push the meaning of each song even further. Finding new ways to generate those “yes, I so get it” moments is what has driven her since before she understood how very well that could translate to helping brands express what makes them special and connect with their target audiences.

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 2003, Carrie’s career began in Los Angeles where she worked for a reality television production company, giving her video production chops out of the gate. She also gained experience in voice-over, recording the “coming up next,” and other transitional commentary you hear on TV shows. With a small resume of unique experience, she came back to Ohio in 2004 to be close to family and dedicated her creative talents to an array of positions for traditional and digital marketing and advertising agencies, and corporate as well as non-profit organizations.

She got her feet wet in the agency world first working for a digital firm focused on branding and website design, and then while working in PR and media relations for a Fortune 500 corporation in 2008, she earned her Master’s degree in marketing and communications. Shortly before graduation, she was recruited for a Director of Marketing position for a non-profit where she got to flex her design and strategic muscles, building a brand with years of history but that previously lacked a consistent voice and identity. She then spent a number of years at a marketing agency where she learned the importance of quality consumer research and gained a new appreciation for creative strategy, overseeing the agency’s largest accounts from research through creative development and implementation. She then spent a couple years working for an award-winning integrated communications agency as Director of Strategy.

Carrie has experience in B2B and B2C traditional and digital marketing and has served a range of small to large global brands. With 20 years of well-rounded marketing experience, she is a freelance consultant partnering with agencies and brands to deliver impactful creative work, and offers a vast array of services including specialized skills, such as voice acting.

Every work experience has culminated to create a background of skillful diversity. This well rounded skill set coupled with her laser focus on making the end product the best it can be, has earned her the title of “Rockstar.” And, while she certainly doesn’t take herself too seriously, her dedication to her work stands out from the crowd.

Testimonials
Sally Hughes

Sally Hughes

CEO, Caster Connection

Carrie has an unparalleled energy and passion for her work. She is the perfect combination of a strategic and creative thinker which has been critical in thinking through and executing our marketing programs.
Kyle Hickman

Kyle Hickman

Founder, Revel Branding

When Carrie walks into the room the energy lifts and good things happen. Her marketing knowledge and experience take this energy even further. She has proven time and again that she can turn complex marketing and branding problems into smart, successful solutions.

Anyone who hires Carrie will not only see great results, but they will enjoy the process as well.

Dana Bernstein

Dana Bernstein

Founder, BernYoga

Carrie is as tenacious as she is creative. I've seen firsthand how she gets things done — intuitively, efficiently and with a wealth of knowledge. Through her creative direction, she takes each brand's story and translates it into design work that reflects that business' unique vision.

And, she's one of the easiest people I've ever worked with, making the creative process an absolute pleasure.

Katy Burrier

Katy Burrier

Director, Business Development, DHL

Carrie is a rockstar. She has an incredibly creative mind, packaged with an analytical perspective and balanced demeanor that results in top-notch brand work for her clients. And she can manage projects from conception to implementation, something very difficult to find in this industry. I have worked with her on a high-profile project that if it weren't for her vision, strategy and determination, the outcome could have been very different.

Your project success rate increases exponentially when Carrie is your partner.

Lee Carman

Lee Carman

Head of Retail Partnerships, Chewy

I had the pleasure of working with Carrie on several cross-departmental initiatives over the past two years and am thoroughly impressed with her dedication and drive for excellence. Carrie’s creative spin on some of our new product introductions have helped Mac Tools achieve an increased level of sell-through and also given us tremendous gains into new channels of distribution. Under Carrie’s PR leadership, our advertising campaigns were extremely effective at penetrating deeper into our core markets ... her sharp insights and branding instincts lent a fresh approach to solutions for old issues.

I would recommend Carrie as an asset to any organization.

Katie Lundy

Katie Lundy

Vice President, Inspire PR Group

I have worked with Carrie on various projects including the strategic rebrand of TourismOhio. Her strategic eye, outside of the box creativity, attention to detail and impressive work ethic ensures her clients achieve their business goals, always. One of Carrie's best assets is her authentic nature and ability to form lasting relationships with clients.

All of this, combined with her professionalism and quality work, allows her to produce results and makes her an ideal partner for any marketing project.