Laura Maness

Laura leads strategic growth for Propane Studio, one of the fastest growing independent agencies with offices in San Francisco and New York. propane studio | we fuel brands™ Propane Studio is a full-service digital agency focused on developing experiences and solutions that fuel the way people connect with brands and each other. For more information, visit http://propanestudio.com. Named a Top 10 Digital Agency in SF: http://tnw.co/AD4j31

Led business development and organic growth for draftfcb/west. http://www.draftfcb.com/press-release.aspx?press=259

Designkitchen & Wunderman Chicago were strategically aligned as part of Designkitchen's acquisition by WPP Group in July 2008. The partnership resulted in a differentiated solution that integrated DK’s interactive expertise with Wunderman’s promotional, direct and CRM capabilities. As an active member of Wunderman's Global PR Committee and Wunderman Chicago's executive leadership team, Laura successfully elevated Designkitchen's profile nationally and served as a key liaison for collaborative growth opportunities across WPP's global network.

As Designkitchen’s Director of Business Development, Laura led the agency’s efforts to identify and secure strategic partnerships that strengthened its expanding footprint in the B2C and B2B interactive marketplace. Laura brought over a decade of strategic marketing and business development expertise to Designkitchen, as well as a driving passion for building relationships and establishing interdisciplinary teams matched to each client’s unique needs. Laura joined the firm in 2006 and as an Account Director led several large, complex integrated accounts across automotive, financial services, fitness, health care, hospitality, utility and technology categories prior to transitioning into a dedicated business development role and key member of the agency's executive leadership team. In addition to providing operational oversight and pipeline management, Laura was instrumental in building out a business development practice and establishing a proactive methodology that aggressively grew Designkitchen’s top-line revenue, roster and portfolio with the addition of, among many, Abbott, ABN AMRO, Aquila, Coventry Health Care, Exelon Corporation, Marriott Vacation Club, Methode Electronics, NAVTEQ, Sloan and Sears. Prior to joining Designkitchen, Laura led the business development strategy and execution efforts for Black Dog Interactive which resulted in the wins of Ace Hardware, Bally Total Fitness, Citi, CORT Furniture, LPGA, McDonald’s and Weyerhaeuser. She began her career in account management for Giant Step (Leo Burnett’s interactive arm at the time), servicing one of the agency’s largest accounts, Oldsmobile. Laura earned her BA in Communication and Marketing from Loyola University Chicago.