Concussion’s casino experts consist of a well-seasoned staff of professionals, including agency principals and support personnel. Put our brain power to work for you.
Allen Wallach, Chief Executive Officer
Allen Wallach is a 20-year strategic marketing expert and the architect of many successful campaigns for national brands such as Imperial Schrade Corp., Remington Health Products, Ariat Boots and others. He has also helped mastermind the growth and success of casinos all over the Southwest. As a result, Allen has become a sought-after consultant in the gaming industry, speaking at conferences such as G2E, NIGA, Bingo World and others. He continues to build a legacy of success today as CEO of Concussion.
Andrew Yañez, Chief Creative Officer
Andrew Yañez is a nationally recognized creative director whose work has been featured in the design industry’s elite peer review journals, including Print and Communication Arts. His experience includes work for profile national brands such as Acura, Nestlé, Texas Instruments, Nokia, Ryobi Tools, ExxonMobil and others. His work also includes extensive development of complete casino identity packages as well as numerous integrated advertising campaigns.
Amy Yañez, Media Director
Amy Yañez is a seasoned media executive with valuable experience on both the agency and media outlet sides of the business. She joined Concussion from Katz Media in Dallas (a division of Clear Channel Communications) where she planned, negotiated and placed more than $500 million in media in 140 U.S. markets for clients such as Honda Automotive, Pizza Hut, Coca-Cola and other Fortune 500 companies. A savvy planner and negotiator, Amy has an impressive record of delivering maximum media weight and added value for clients. Her knowledge of media markets, media buying and the “behind the scenes” tactics allows Amy to get the best bang for the buck.
Douglas Cox, Interactive Director
Douglas designed his first website in 1997. Today, he is recognized as a new media pioneer with enviable expertise in web design, web development, flash programming, database development, search engine optimization and search marketing. His iconoclastic thinking and entrepreneurial spirit have infused Concussion Interactive with a unique culture and a proclivity for producing powerhouse work that can go toe-to-toe with the most esteemed new media shops across America. Of course the proof is in the hardware – ADDYs and Adweek’s prestigious W3 and an IMA award. Douglas is a graduate of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Planted here in the outback of Fort Worth, he has developed websites for casino properties – including Osage Million Dollar Elm, WinStar, FireLake and Creek Nation.
John Kiker, Group Account Director
Despite giving it his best shot, and much to his wife’s dismay, John didn’t make the PGA Tour so he had to implement Plan B – a career in advertising and marketing. John has racked up more than a decade of experience in successful brand marketing for the gaming, entertainment, toy, mobile and retail industries. He has worked with high-profile brands including AmeriStar Casinos, Six Flags, Inc., LeapFrog Education Toys, NEC and the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. Before joining Concussion, John led a 50-person ad team for Harrah’s Entertainment, including Harrah’s Casinos, Total Rewards loyalty program, the World Series of Poker and Margaritaville Resort. At Concussion, John pulls from his vast experience to provide a range of senior-level strategic marketing services for select clients.
Khris Kesling, Creative Director
Khris Kesling has been inflicting his innovative and outlandish creative on the regional and national marketplace for nearly two decades. Khris has parlayed his distinctive combination of copywriting, graphics and business strategy into innumerable award-winning advertising and marketing campaigns for dozens of casinos, as well as national companies such as Chesapeake Energy, Office Depot, Mars Music, VF Corporation, Springmaid, Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart.
Derek Johnson, Creative Director
California’s siren call lured this Tulsa native to the City of Angels right after he graduated from the University of Oklahoma. There, he kicked off his advertising career at J2 Communications and National Lampoon Magazine, soaked up the sun, caught a few waves, and heated up the airwaves on Love Connection and Studs – landing more screen time than his struggling actor friends. He eventually abandoned L.A.’s smoke-and-mirrors for Big D. As associate creative director for Meyer & Johnson and creative director at Bozell Kamstra, Derek refined his signature style while working on accounts such as BMW, EDS, Ford, U.S. Air Force, Fujitsu, Allstate and Exxon. His awards include national, district and local ADDY Awards, International ECHO Awards and TOPS. Today, Derek is passionate about creating unique advertising that leaves an indelible impression on his audience. He has helped move the dial for Route 66 Casino, Osage Million Dollar Elm Casinos and FireLake Grand Casino.
Amanda Gibson, Account Supervisor
Amanda Gibson joined Concussion from Temerlin McClain in Dallas, where her posts included account executive for Subaru of America and brand manager for Subaru Canada, Inc. Her transition to Concussion also meant a transition into managing multi-million-dollar casino accounts such as WinStar, Creek Nation, FireLake Grand and Choctaw casinos.
Haley Benardino, Senior Account Executive
Haley’s adventurous spirit inspired her to first consider a career in international business. Sadly, Haley soon discovered there was too much business and not enough travel to satisfy her wanderlust. But she found her groove when she switched to advertising. “Dealing with creative is so much more fun than dealing with money,” says Haley. Before calling Concussion home, Haley provided media planning, strategic planning and project management for Harrah’s Casino properties in St. Louis, North Kansas City and Council Bluffs, along with Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, Prairie Band and Joliet properties. Today, she thrives on the fast-pace and many facets – retail, hotels, spas, nightclubs and entertainment –that are part of the mix when it comes to serving Concussion’s casino clientele.