Winning Minds
Octagon is the integration of seasoned bi-partisan political strategists and a diverse group of communications professionals from Cashman + Katz. While each individual represents a different background or discipline, these unique perspectives join together with a common aim. Winning.
Tony Cashman
Managing General Partner
Tony Cashman
Managing General Partner
Liz Kurantowicz
Managing Partner
Liz Kurantowicz
Managing Partner
Tony began his marketing career in the sports world, as a public relations specialist for ESPN and a sports correspondent for The Hartford Courant. Later, in the full contact sport of media sales for Hartford's CBS affiliate, he honed his account management and sales skills, dramatically increasing billings on major accounts.
In 1992, Tony founded Cashman + Katz and grew it from a two-man start-up to one of the region's top integrated communications companies. He oversees the company's operations and develops effective strategies for clients ranging from state agencies and nonprofits to international consumer goods companies. He's also spearheaded the acquisition or development of three separate operating companies. The first, InFocus, is one of the Northeast's largest focus group research facilities. The second, Dsign Digital, is a digital signage and video/audio production studio. Both companies and their facilities are housed within C+K's Connecticut headquarters and are strategically integrated into the agency's operations.
Most recently, Tony founded Octagon Strategy Group, a unique combination of political strategists integrated with his team of communications professionals at C+K. For Octagon, Tony oversees strategic development for a number of nonprofit, government, corporate and association clients.
Tony earned a BA in Communications and Journalism with a Minor in Business Administration from Stonehill College, in North Easton, MA.
One Big Win Outside of Work
With my wife Mary, bringing the ultimate love of our lives into the world, our baby girl Ava.
Liz Kurantowicz has years of experience working with political and advocacy clients in Connecticut and across the country. Prior to joining Octagon Strategy Group, she served as Senior Consultant at Collins, Anderson & Philp (CAP Public Affairs) where she was responsible for pioneering the utilization of independent expenditure committees as advocacy and political vehicles into the Connecticut political and policy landscape.
Liz also served as the chief spokesman, strategist, fundraising and compliance lead for several multi-million dollar legislative and statewide efforts while navigating Connecticut’s incredibly onerous campaign finance laws.
She also served as the Chief of Staff and Finance Director of the Connecticut Republican Party, as well as a consultant to the Rudy Giuliani Presidential campaign assisting in their campaign efforts in Connecticut. Liz also serves as a political instructor for the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the Republican National Committee. For the RNC, Liz has served as an instructor to political operatives around the country since 2009.
Stacey Monahan
Group Managing Director
Stacey Monahan
Group Managing Director
Eric Cavoli
Creative Director
Eric Cavoli
Creative Director
Over the last 15 years, Stacey Monahan has worked at the highest levels of state and federal government and the political world solving complex problems, oftentimes under intense scrutiny from the legislature, the media and the public.
Appointed by Governor Deval Patrick, Monahan most recently served as the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, helping restore credibility to a department that had come under fire.
She served as chief of staff to the Secretary of Health and Human Services 2011 to 2013, managing the operations of the largest state secretariat which employs nearly 22,000 staff and has a budget of more than $15 billion.
Stacey was the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Democratic Party for 4 years, and was one of the chief architects of an election strategy that won every constitutional office, and 95% of legislative and county seats in 2010.
Monahan was one of the youngest congressional district chiefs of staff in the country when she worked for Congressman Stephen Lynch in 2002.
Stacey has extensive experience working with non-profit organizations, community groups and stakeholders. She is known for her ability to quickly assess a problem or situation and develop and implement effective solutions.
She is a graduate of Boston College.
Eric leads ideation and oversees all creative efforts for Octagon clients. He began his advertising career while still a college undergrad in New York, moonlighting for Nicholas-Forbes, Inc., writing jingles for car dealers and retailers. He then did his time on the corporate side, leading an in-house creative team at Amerifit Nutrition, a leading sports nutrition and supplement company. There, he helped launch Estroven, one of the best-selling nutritional supplements of all time, as well as Ozzy Smith's Wizard Workout, NOT one of the best-selling workout programs of all time. Back on the agency side, he was partner and creative director for boutique agency Durham Group where his award-winning portfolio includes work for Timex, Textron, VDO, Pfizer, ING and MassMutual. Most notably, at least around these parts, he teamed with DW Advertising to brand and market the locally famous Wood-n-Tap Bar and Grill chain, for which he was paid in beer.
Eric earned a BA in Communications with an Advertising Concentration and a Psychology Minor at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY.
One Big Win Outside of Work
Dunking in a high school basketball game though I was 5' 11” with the physique of a 2-iron.
Amanda Mueller
Public Relations/Social Media Director
Amanda Mueller
Public Relations/Social Media Director
Bill Greer
Research Director
Bill Greer
Research Director
Amanda has led public relations efforts for start-up businesses, nonprofits, state agencies and Fortune 100 corporations. While at Clarke & Company in Boston, she worked on IBM and Samuel Adams Boston Beer Co. FYI, she loved the product samples. At Cashman + Katz, she manages ubiquitous consumer product brand, BIC, supporting all of its categories including stationery, lighters and shavers, as well as numerous nonprofits and corporations. She also launched Kiehl's into Connecticut, spearheading the grand opening of its first state store. With a specialty in media relations, Amanda concentrates on obtaining press coverage and generating exposure for her clients. Her efforts have resulted in national news and trade coverage in leading print, radio, digital and broadcast television outlets. Additionally, Amanda implements and manages social media campaigns for numerous clients. For Octagon, Amanda helps clients with overall key messaging and strategic positioning, organizing and managing media interviews and developing PR and social media strategies. You can follow her on Twitter @AmandaSm4
Amanda has a BA in Communications with a Minor in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
One Big Win Outside of Work
Three-way tie between having my two daughters and getting kissed by Bo Duke.
Bill has held a number of senior positions at a who's-who of advertising agencies on both coasts, including D'Arcy, Lintas, Lowe & Partners and McCann/Erickson. His experience encompasses strategic planning, branding, media and research for such brands as Mohegan Sun, AT&T Wireless, New York Daily News, Textron, SuperCuts, Sweet n' Low, Samuel Adams Boston Beer Co., Ames Department Stores, Webster Bank and Modell's Sporting Goods. He's helped launch numerous feature films and consumer brands including, respectively, Fatal Attraction and Twix candy bars (strange bedfellows indeed). For Octagon, Bill synthesizes business and communications goals to develop quantitative and qualitative research programs, resulting in the audience and client insights that guide strategy.
Bill earned a BS in Marketing from Fairleigh-Dickinson.
One Big Win Outside of Work
Getting both my boys through college, employed and never asking for money. Yet.
Bill Notartomaso
Digital Director
Bill Notartomaso
Digital Director
Eric Schweighoffer
Media Director
Eric Schweighoffer
Media Director
Bill’s Digital Marketing experience extends nearly 10 years, he specializes in building and maintaing brands online reputation through Organic & Paid Social Media Marketing, Paid Search (PPC), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Website Design/Management & Email Marketing. He has developed multiple successful Digital Marketing & eCommerce Strategies for various global and national brands such as; Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Capezio & others. Bill also holds certifications in Advanced Online Marketing and Google Adwords.
Eric is responsible for planning, buying and managing the media budgets for all Octagon clients. And that's a lot of bar graphs. He crafts strategic and customized plans that connect with targeted groups and reach them the optimum number of times in the most cost-effective manner. Eric is a shrewd negotiator who treats a client's budget as if it were his own. But he's an even better relationship-builder, always finding a way to extend a client's media investment in creative yet straegically sound ways. Prior to joining C+K, he was Advertising Director at Better Bedding, a 20-store retail mattress chain, where he directed marketing strategy and managed an in-house agency. Before that, Eric was V.P. Associate Media Director at Mintz & Hoke, co-directing the firm's media department. He was raised in the media business at Young & Rubicam in New York working for large consumer brands including Kraft/General Foods, U.S. Postal Service and Adidas.
Eric has a BS in Communications from Ohio University.
One Big Win Outside of Work
Escaping serious injury when a drunken driver drove into my house, leaving a sedan-sized hole in its side.
Mary Lee Weber
Business Development Director
Mary Lee Weber
Business Development Director
Saverio Mancini
Public Relations Director
Saverio Mancini
Public Relations Director
For Octagon, Mary Lee collaborates with clients to create and solidify equitable, innovative relationships. She is an accomplished, experienced marketing leader who is constantly opening up new doors for Octagon and its clients. Her diverse background includes nearly two decades as Director of Marketing at WTNH-TV in New Haven, Connecticut. There she developed cause marketing into one of the most vibrant strategic assets and revenue generators for the stations. She also negotiated media partnerships, launched television broadcast/web streaming contracts and produced several prime time community outreach shows. She has extensive experience in cause marketing, serving on boards for numerous nonprofits and is the former Director of Media and Public Relations and Assistant General Manager of the New Haven Ravens, the AA affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.
Mary Lee studied Literature and American Studies at McDaniel College.
One Big Win Outside of Work
Serving as Creator, Executive Producer and Host of a Popular Game Show.
Saverio is a seasoned public relations professional with two decades in the business. Though his specialty lies in hospitality, gaming and entertainment, he's developed PR strategies and spearheaded communications initiatives for numerous nonprofits, consumer brands and government agencies. Previously, at Regan Communications, Saverio led successful campaigns for OpSail 2012, NYLO Providence Hotel and the the Newport Grand. Before that, Saverio managed public relations efforts for two of the largest resort casinos in the world, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. He guided efforts for those brands' multiple interests including gaming, entertainment, Tribal Culture, dining, conventions, retail and sports. At Octagon, Saverio works with Amanda Mueller to lead PR efforts for all clients.
Saverio holds a BA in Communications from the University of Connecticut and an MBA in Hospitality Marketing from Johnson and Wales.
One Big Win Outside of Work
First in my family to earn two college degrees.
David Kinney
Production Director
David Kinney
Production Director
Chelsea Fortier
Account Director
Chelsea Fortier
Account Director
Dave started out as a freelance producer in New York and Connecticut, also seizing the opportunity to work on independent, documentary and feature films including Sleepers starring Brad Pitt and Kevin Bacon. He even lent Kevin a pair of Converse (that's only one degree of separation). Dave then rose through the ranks at three different Connecticut production companies before co-founding Dsign Digital. His clients through the years have included ESPN, Top-Flite Golf, NECN, Tyco, Timex, Hartford Hospital and Henkel Corporation. He also served as Executive Producer of the three-time Emmy award-winning television series, "Eating CT," the top-rated original program on Connecticut's Public Television. For Octagon, Dave oversees audio and video production, including broadcast spots, long form video, web video and 3D animation. He also serves as director and director of photography on numerous projects.
Dave earned a BA in Communications from the University of Hartford.
One Big Win Outside of Work
Keeping up with my athletic 11yr old, my loving wife and demanding pug. All while trying to integrate my passion for writing and performing rock music with my band, Globe Hollow. Now that's fun!
Chelsea is an essential part of the Octagon Strategy team. As an Account Executive, she manages several client relationships and coordinates all of our agency’s integrated disciplines to help our clients meet their goals. Prior to joining C+K, Chelsea was a Marketing Specialist for Southern Auto Auction, handling all of their promotions, events, and digital efforts. Prior to that, she managed in store signage programs for national retailers while working at Windsor Marketing Group.
