dorothy freeman self

founder + principal

For 15 years Dorothy Freeman Self has been a transformational leader in the marketing, advertising, and brand building community in both the Upstate of South Carolina and nationally. Dorothy spent the majority of her formative years in San Francisco, California followed by Jacksonville, Florida. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Furman University. Dorothy began her marketing career handling strategic partnerships and events for Gannett, the parent company of The Greenville News Media Group. During her tenure with The News, she quickly rose through the ranks to handle both B2C and B2B marketing initiatives. After experiencing unprecedented successes in these roles, she gave into the entrepreneurial spirit within and started dfs creative.

Dorothy has been honored by numerous publications for her work in the industry. Additionally, dfs creative concepts was awarded the Business of Integrity award by the Better Business Bureau of the Upstate. Subsequently, Dorothy was asked to step into the role of board member for the BBB of the Upstate, and also tapped to serve as Chairwoman for the LARP (Local Advertising Review Panel), where she focuses her time on educating businesses about how to advertise ethically and effectively to further trust in the marketplace. She has served on the BBB board and as the Chairwoman of the LARP for multiple terms .

Writing is her particular passion; Dorothy is a published author, having written for lifestyle and educational magazines for many years. This ability to effectively tell stories in impactful ways is a primary reason many clients and publications request her specific fingerprints on written work. Some might attribute that to her formal background in philosophy, rhetoric and classics; we look at it as her artistic talent. She paints with words. She has been a featured guest lecturer each semester at Clemson University and the University of South Carolina, presenting to both graduate and undergraduate students studying promotional and international marketing.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her son, Freeman, and their dogs, Sullivan and Zoe. As a family, they love experimenting with companion planting, growing fruits and vegetables, and watching every NFL game that has ever been televised.

mona lopez

operations director

For over two decades, Mona has excelled in managing people, processes, and operations. By looking at her, you’d never guess that she has a background in law enforcement operations and management. She also held positions as a financial administrator and human resources coordinator for a large non-profit. Those experiences, coupled with her time spent bookkeeping and managing accounting for a curriculum publishing company, speak to strengths Mona brings to dfs creative.

Mona is responsible for directing and supporting the operational needs of our corporate account managers, coordinators, developers, graphic designers and multimedia coordinators. With a strong understanding of Google advertising products, Mona also holds a certification in Google Adwords. She reviews our clients’ performance reporting on a daily basis, finding areas of opportunity and evaluating ways our campaigns can be further optimized. Additionally, Mona oversees accounts receivable and accounts payable in order to maintain the dfs creative workflow.

Mona holds a degree in English, and often serves as our in-house proofing entity. We appreciate the occasional grammar lesson here and there, and our clients appreciate the fact that not a comma splice or misuse of a semi-colon escapes her well-trained eye.

Mona is married with three children: one is a graduate of Furman University, and two are enrolled at USC Upstate. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, visits to the beach, and spending time with her family.

kayla currey

corporate account manager

Having been with Dorothy for half of our dfs creative lifespan, there’s nothing Kayla hasn’t touched. As she has worked on all facets of client deliverables, Kayla possesses an in-depth understanding of all processes and procedures of corporate account management. She handles the operation and logistics for dfs’ national and international accounts with ease and expertise, bringing a sense of peace to both her clients and coworkers. Her clients rave about Kayla’s attention to detail and ability to understand and solve complex situations.

Kayla is responsible for the creation, coordination and execution of strategies for technical digital advertising campaigns, website development, public relations, media relations, marketing and special events. She is known for building strong, long-lasting client relationships. As the trusted liaison for her accounts, Kayla leads and directs her support team of account and multimedia coordinators and graphic designers to ensure the delivery of timely and successful marketing solutions to meet customer needs and objectives.

A Greenville native, Kayla graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Clemson University. She is an experienced and detail-oriented manager, marketing strategist, and content creator. Driven by her passion for fostering fruitful relationships, Kayla takes pride in providing concierge level customer service to each and every client. Kayla’s clients appreciate every moment spent with her at the helm, and view her as family.

Outside of the office, you’ll likely find her exploring downtown Greenville or dreaming up + working on projects at her house with her husband. She loves traveling to the coast and is the most content on a warm beach with a good book in hand.

anna champion

corporate account manager

After 4 days on the dfs creative team, it felt like Anna had been with us from day one. Her thorough mastery of best practices, coupled with her white-glove approach to customer service, made her a natural fit here. Anna’s customers adore her for many reasons, not the least of which is that she makes everyone feel like they are the most important person in the room.

Anna guides the efficiency and productivity of deliverables for corporate accounts at dfs creative. Her dedication to exceeding expectations is her trademark. Anna’s skill set is varied yet in depth, providing her clients and colleagues a wealth of experience. Her tenure in the industry began in the world of printing, ranging from digital to flexography. She has worked for Upstate print companies, affording her the opportunity to manage accounts for a plethora of local, and regional, businesses.

Anna’s extraordinary work ethic and polish took her to the next level, where she was highly sought after by an international corporation. During her tenure in corporate graphic communications for the company, Anna shared her expertise with national brands. Her passion for client relationships and crafting excellent experiences lead her to join dfs creative. With over a decade of account management experience and strategic custom solutions, Anna is the trusted point of contact for clients seeking to maximize their potential.

A Darlington, SC native, Anna graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Graphic Communications. She now happily calls Greenville home. When out of the office, you’ll find her on the water at Lake Marion or Keowee with her family, traveling with friends, or spending time with her husband and their black lab, Blue.

stephanie swenson

corporate account manager

Stephanie’s superior ability to execute marketing campaigns flawlessly and with ease makes her a strong asset for our corporate account management team. Having worked with brands varying in size and scale, and serving clients hailing from every corner of the country, Stephanie is known for being able to quickly identify what needs to be done – and then, getting it done quickly, correctly, and ahead of schedule. Her clients and coworkers alike appreciate her speedy turnaround time, especially in an industry that demands things “yesterday”.

Stephanie is an accomplished and results-driven manager with a keen understanding of clients’ needs. She excels at developing and maintaining strong relationships, and delivering outstanding customer service. With a deep knowledge of the latest technical digital advertising trends and technologies, Stephanie is dedicated to helping clients achieve their marketing goals and driving their business forward. Stephanie joins our team with nearly a decade of experience in corporate communications and management.

Originally from Anderson, SC, Stephanie has always sported a passion for design and a strong desire to attend Clemson University. She made that dream a reality, graduating in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphics Communications, accompanied by a minor in Psychology.

Stephanie gained invaluable experience in printing and account management with a renowned international corporation. She worked closely with major food care brands, fulfilling graphic communication needs and providing exceptional customer service. Her work ethic is as strong as her design skills, and her creative talent knows no bounds. She’s always up for a challenge, eager to make her mark, and endeavors to leave a trail of impressive design projects in her wake.

But it’s not all work and no play for Stephanie! When she’s not busy conquering the design world, you can find her jet-setting around the globe, checking off states and countries on her bucket list. Her trusty sidekick, Cooper the pup, is always by her side, adding an extra dose of fun to her adventures.

macale fusco

graphic designer

A rare hybrid of strong account management proficiency, coupled with a superior graphic design pedigree, made Macale the perfect fit for our team. Not only does she possess the ability to design logos on a whim, she has the strong management and communication skills to present them to varying audiences. Her design process is thoughtful in its foundation, beginning with active listening as clients verbalize their visions. She then takes pencil to paper, and the rest is history. Clients appreciate having her at the table, because she not only does the designing, but she has mastered the art of truly absorbing clients’ expressed desires.

Macale is the lead creative of our graphic design team. Whether it’s custom website design, print ads, logo creation, social media graphics, or anything in between, Macale effortlessly executes each project and helps brands tell their stories through perfect pairings of typography + color that are effortlessly intricate. Don’t be fooled by her petite frame; she is small but mighty and her bold designs pack a powerful punch. Macale’s moxie + tenacity are adored by coworkers and clients alike.

Her passion for designing began after taking her first graphic design course in high school where she immediately fell in love with the art. She has continued to hone her craft over the last decade, receiving a Bachelors of Science Degree in Graphic Communications with an emphasis in Brand Communications from Clemson University. During her time at Clemson, she was among a select few invited to enter into a branding competition for the first student-led creative agency at Clemson via the Erwin Center for Brand Communications. Macale’s winning brand concept has now taken shape as Cadency. You can read more about her innovative work here. Macale also spent her undergraduate years on the sidelines of Death Valley as a co-ed cheerleader. Go Tigers!

In her free time you’ll likely find Macale getting her workouts in or taking it easy on Lake Hartwell with her family.

kate fricke

support specialist

Meet Kate, our first graduate of the dfs creative NextGen Mentor Program. This program was created in conjunction with Greer Middle College Charter High School, and allows dfs creative an opportunity to invest in the emerging leaders who are poised to be the next generation of creatives. Kate is an alumna of GMC, where she excelled in her studies and discovered her passion for art and design. With a keen eye for creativity and a drive to make a positive impact, Kate has begun her journey towards a degree in graphic design at Liberty University. During her time at dfs creative, Kate honed her skills and gained valuable experience in the field, furthering her growth as a budding graphic designer.

In fact, she performed so well that she was offered a full time position immediately following completion of the NextGen program. Her role as executive support specialist involves assisting Dorothy with anything and everything, from client communications to creative support. Additionally, she works on maintaining and expanding our creative library of materials. Kate supports ongoing communication with certain key points of contact and ensures the information flow is seamless. Kate also works closely to support Dorothy as she guides the creative direction of the agency.

Hailing from Greenville, South Carolina, Kate has always been drawn to artistic pursuits, but she also enjoys sports and music. She is a well-rounded individual who embraces her diverse interests and hobbies, including hiking, playing piano, lettering, swimming, and spending quality time with her loved ones, including her mom, dad, two brothers, her beloved dog, Stella, and her cherished kitty, Lewis.

Kate’s mission is to use her creative talents to spread encouragement and make a positive impact on everyone she meets. Her passion for art, combined with her dedication to excellence and her warm and personable nature, make her a promising talent in the world of graphic design, and she is eager to contribute her skills to make a meaningful difference.

ashlyn howe

clemson university class of 2023

Ashlyn takes pride in her ability to create designs that bring a smile to clients’ faces, and she is excited to continue honing her skills in her future career. When she is not hard at work, you might find her relaxing with a good book at a local coffee shop or exploring Dreher Island State Park with her beloved dogs, Piper and Marley. On Saturdays, however, Ashlyn’s passion for her alma mater comes to the forefront as she cheers on the Clemson Tigers in Death Valley.

In her personal life, Ashlyn is known for her strong superstitions. She grew up as a Clemson fan but had never attended a Clemson-Carolina game until this past season. Unfortunately, Clemson lost its winning streak that day, and Ashlyn has vowed never to attend another rivalry game again.

jon

digital strategist

Jon helps out with strategic initiatives for our clients, primarily in the digital space. He has experience with both design and development, so he understands what is required for both the front-end and the back-end of a digital project. He currently teaches Marketing at Clemson University in both the graduate and undergraduate programs, and he holds multiple certifications through Google, as well as Amazon DSP, and Basis DSP. Jon received his Masters in Business Administration from Clemson University.

Jon establishes metric-focused sales and marketing plans concentrated on audience capture. Technical digital media buying services, including programmatic (native, contextual, hyperlocal, geofencing, OTT, first-party data, etc.), search, social ads, reporting, and analytics are his primary focus areas. In addition to overseeing DFS’ white label services for other ad agencies, Jon is also a beta testing partner with Google for product roll-outs, giving him an inside glimpse of what’s to come from the platform.

In his spare time Jon is a partner with an entertainment company based in San Francisco focusing primarily on the music industry. With expertise including film production, editing, sound design, marketing, and other relevant services, Jon is able to bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and connections to our multimedia clientele.  Jon, his wife, and his three children live in Greenville.

scott

web developer

Scott is a highly accomplished web developer and custom website builder with over 15 years of experience in the industry. His exceptional skills in coding, design, and problem-solving have made him a sought-after professional in the field.

Scott pursued a degree in web development from Catawba College, where he gained a solid foundation in programming languages and web development principles. Armed with a strong technical background, he embarked on his professional journey as a web developer in 2008.

Throughout his career, Scott has honed his expertise in various programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. His in-depth knowledge of these languages, combined with his ability to learn new technologies quickly, has allowed him to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of web development. Scott is not only well-versed in front-end development but also possesses extensive experience in back-end programming, database management, and server configuration.

One of Scott’s standout qualities is his ability to build custom websites that not only meet but exceed client expectations. His creative approach to design, coupled with his attention to detail, enables him to deliver visually stunning and user-friendly websites. He understands the importance of user experience and ensures that each website he creates is responsive, optimized for different devices, and adheres to industry standards.  Scott’s core competencies include expertise pertaining to web hosting providers, SFTP, FTP, cPanel and working with MySql databases.

Scott’s exceptional expertise, extensive experience, and unwavering commitment to excellence have established him as a reputable and highly sought-after member of our team. With a strong passion for coding and a talent for creating custom websites that leave a lasting impression, Scott continues to make a significant impact in the industry. His ability to combine technical proficiency with creative design has earned him the trust and loyalty of his clients, solidifying his reputation as a leading web development professional.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his children. He loves going to the movies, and is a huge Marvel fan! Ever the “techy” guy, he enjoys playing video games, but also loves spending time outdoors riding his Can-Am Spyder. Though he lives in the complex world of coding, he loves keeping life simple.

evan parramore

university of south carolina class of 2024

Evan Parramore is a rising Junior at the University of South Carolina, hailing from the charming city of Greenville, SC. She is currently pursuing an Advertising Major with a minor in Hospitality, and she is set to graduate in 2025. Evan is also an active member of the Kappa Delta sorority on campus, where she plays a vital role in the upcoming recruitment year.

When she is not busy with school or sorority duties, Evan works at a popular children’s boutique, Duck Duck Goose, located in the heart of Columbia, SC. But when the weekend rolls around, she leaves work behind and enjoys spending time with her close-knit group of friends. Evan is known for her love of fitness and challenges, having walked a full marathon throughout Greenville with a childhood friend during the quarantine period. She has an adventurous spirit and an insatiable curiosity for new experiences.

Fun Fact: Evan’s love for food is unmatched! She’s always on the hunt for the next best thing, and her latest obsession is trying out new recipes and cuisines in her free time. She dreams of one day traveling the world and exploring different food cultures.

amanda glenn

With nearly fifteen years in the industry, a decade of which were focused on corporate marketing and communications, Amanda brings an eye for detail and a passion for strategic content creation to the team. She works closely with clients to find creative ways to tell their unique stories and grow their businesses. Her lengthy list of professional accomplishments makes her the perfect fit to manage the intersection of creativity and data-driven precision, ensuring our clients gain & maintain a competitive edge.

As our marketing technology manager, Amanda works closely with our corporate account managers and clients to develop and manage strategic plans for technology integration tactics that align with expressed goals. From implementing new platforms to evaluating existing strategies, she identifies opportunities for improved efficiencies and effectiveness. Amanda focuses on CRM integration and implementations, and holds numerous HubSpot certifications. She uses data-driven insights to inform strategies, audience targeting and campaign optimization. Amanda maximizes our clients’ engagements with our technical digital advertising offerings, including ad servers, data management platforms (DMPs), demand-side platforms (DSPs) and other marketing automation tools. She also guides custom app and website strategy and design alongside our digital strategist and web developer.

A native of Little Mountain, SC, Amanda attended the University of South Carolina before relocating to Charleston to begin her career in marketing and communications. After working as a marketing consultant for two local newspapers, she transitioned into corporate communications for a large international corporation. While in that role, she was award

When she’s not in the office, Amanda enjoys spending her time cooking, scouring vintage shops, escaping to the beach, or spending time with her husband and two pups, Bowie and Vita.