Team
Diane M. Nichols, CEO, entered broadcasting in 1970 when she joined the programming department of WTTV, Channel 4 in Indianapolis.
In 1974, she moved to Ruben, Montgomery Advertising (currently MZD) as a media buyer where she bought for a variety of clients whose categories related to retail, discount, grocery, insurance and drugstores.
In 1978, she moved into the Account Executive position at Ruben, Montgomery Advertising, serving clients one on one while continuing to purchase media on their behalf. As a part of the drugstore category involvement, she developed co-op campaigns through clients like Alberto Culver, American Home Products, Carter-Wallace, Duracell Products, Kimberly Clark and Revlon.
Since co-founding Perkins Nichols in 1980, she has bought for clients on a local, regional and national basis. Those clients include Bank One, Indiana National Bank, Duke Realty, Right Weigh, Celebration Station, Angie's List and Schlotzsky's Deli.
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William F. Perkins, President, has a background of more than 35 years in advertising. He began his career at what was then the Ruben Advertising Agency in 1961 in Public Relations and Research. In 1965, he became Media Director and Corporate Vice President. He was deeply involved in that firm's transition into a broadcast oriented agency. Experience with the agency included regional and national accounts in retail, package goods, fast food and financial services.
In 1977, he moved "client-side" as Vice President for advertising at Hook's Drugs where his approaches to development of radio and television co-op support were pacesetters in the industry.
Formed in 1980 as Indiana's first independent media service, Perkins Nichols has served as media consultant and buyer for industries ranging from national and regional accounts such as petroleum, the automotive after market, moving services, restaurants, communications companies and financial institutions.
In the political arena Perkins has applied consumer communications techniques to the planning and placement of statewide campaigns for five gubernatorial races, for eight Senate campaigns and for both parties several congressional races.
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Mark Higdon, Media Strategist - With a focus on media strategy, placement and negotiation, Mark Higdon brings more than eighteen years of marketing and advertising experience to the Perkins Nichols Media team. He began his career with Cranfill Advertising/three sixty group and has been an integral part in developing fully integrated marketing campaigns for numerous national and regional organizations, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association, Bright House Networks, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and the F.C. Tucker Company. He has also co-owned Associated Sports Productions, where he was primarily responsible for negotiating rights fees and managing intricate broadcast contracts with radio and television stations across the Hoosier state in behalf of the Indiana High School Athletic Association.
A veteran media strategist, he brings to Perkins Nichols Media a comprehensive knowledge of the print, broadcast and radio mediums locally, regionally and nationally, with a focus on new and interactive media opportunities.Mark has served on several not-for-profit boards, including the Smoke Free Indianapolis and Smoke Free Indiana initiatives. In addition, Mark has served as a guest speaker for several telecommunication classes at his alma mater, Ball State University. He is also very involved with Carmel Dad’s Club and currently serves as a league commissioner and coach in the youth baseball program.
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Katy Knerr, Media Strategist - brings to the Perkins Nichols Media team a truly unique perspective and an amazing understanding to how the media business works. Before joining Perkins Nichols Media in 2007 Katy spent twenty years at Emmis Communications. While at Emmis Katy was the Local Sales Manager for WIBC and the General Sales Manager for WYXB and WLHK. Katy also served as the National Sales Manager for WIBC, WENS, WNAP, Network Indiana and the Agri-America Network. Katy understands first hand how a sales department operates and has worked with firms and organizations across the country to increase revenue and manage positive sales results. In addition, Katy has managed interactive and new media efforts for a wide variety of clients and she has incredible experience working within the complex world of sports marketing, community outreach initiatives and political and issue related advertising campaigns.
Katy is actively involved with various charity and outreach programs through her church and has been involved with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Indianapolis. Katy has also participated in several leadership conferences throughout the country.
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