Mara Conklin

Mara has more than 20 years' experience in creating, managing and implementing fast-paced, marketing communications programs that deliver solid results. Her expertise and thoughtful approach make her an invaluable team member and trusted adviser. Throughout her career, Mara has delivered unique, customized programs that include strategic planning, corporate and product launches, message development, media and speakers training, crisis communications, issues management and corporate communications structuring. Prior to founding Clarus in 1998, she was president of one of the fastest growing high-tech marcom firms in the Midwest. She is an award-winning practitioner who has managed programs for both emerging market and multi-national organizations, such as Motorola, Nextel, Sprint, Galileo International, Bio 2006, Software Artistry, Aprimo and ExactTarget. Mara maintains client relationships that span two decades.

Linda Muskin

Linda started on the other side of the desk, having spent a number of years as a writer and news assignment editor, including at WBBM-AM radio in Chicago. Her experience makes her especially well-suited to meet the needs of reporters for on-time, relevant information. After moving into PR, Linda successfully launched and promoted a wide range of clients, including top-selling authors, consumer electronics developers and business-to-business technologies. Applying her newsroom skills to PR, Linda is able to quickly understand an industry, identify the right publicity opportunities and foster key media relationships to secure coverage. The result is repeated exposure for her clients in coveted trade and business publications, including American Venture, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fortune, Inc., InformationWeek, New York Times, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal. Linda's clients know her as a persistent advocate for their business.

Deborah Massa

Deb has spent her career providing strategic counsel and implementing targeted integrated communications programs in the business-to-business and business-to-consumer computer software/hardware and telecommunications industries. Clients recognize her quick understanding of technologies, industries and issues, and her astuteness in how these opportunities will impact their business. Deb's range of expertise includes product/corporate launches, message development, media and speakers training, speech development and copywriting — including web sites, press materials and article generation. She is considered a trusted ally by her clients, which have included Aprimo, Mezzia, Nextel, LinkAir, Corepoint (IBM), Route 66 Software, Software Artistry, Sensormatic, Remedy Corporation and Tivoli Systems.

Michelle Damico

Michelle joined the PR profession after nearly 15 years as an award-winning radio news reporter and newscaster in Chicago at WXRT and WBEZ (NPR). Upon leaving radio, Michelle was deputy director of communications at the Chicago Park District before being named communications director for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley’s 1995 re-election campaign. Following the campaign, Michelle served as the first director of the city of Chicago’s official web site.  Michelle is an award winning PR practitioner who works with clients to create unique communications strategies, develop compelling messages, and improve their interviewing skills.  She has helped clients tell their stories to a variety of reporters and secured coverage with such media outlets as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, NPR, CNN Financial, MSNBC, and Voice of America.