Canfield Marketing Agency Gets New Ownership

CANFIELD, Ohio – McConnell Marketing has been acquired by Carson Lisko and Deanna Clement.

Lisko and Clement are equal partners in the marketing agency. Both are Youngstown natives and graduates of Youngstown State University with degrees in graphic and interactive design. 

“Our predecessors, Katie Swain and Megan Magnetta, have built an agency that aligns with our vision and values,” Lisko said. “We’re looking to build upon the national reputation in hospitality and to strengthen the long-term financial stability through diversification into other industries, specifically targeting startup companies in northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania looking for branding and digital identity creation.”

Lisko and Clement have a combined 15 years of marketing experience and are proficient in graphic and web design, brand development, copywriting and public relations, a news release states.

“Working alongside Katie and Megan has been a catalyst for our growth, presenting us with extraordinary opportunities in our field,” Clement said. “We are excited for the possibilities that will emerge from staying ahead of current and emerging technologies and ready to carry forward the legacy established here at McConnell Marketing. We plan to continue serving both the hospitality industry and our local community, upholding the unwavering standards and values that define our business.”

McConnell Marketing was founded in 1991 by Mark McConnell, a former luxury hotel director of sales and marketing. The agency was purchased in 2015 by longtime senior associates Swain and Magnetta. 

The marketing company has earned a national reputation in the industry, servicing some of the most prestigious hotel names in the country. Among those on the current client roster are Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, as well as many independently owned and operated hotels.

 “Deanna and Carson were logical choices to lead McConnell Marketing because of their experience and talent in digital production, and also because of their compassionate hearts,” Swain said. “In addition to working nationally in the luxury hospitality sector, we’ve always prioritized work with nonprofit organizations. I’ve loved this special attribute of McConnell Marketing and wanted to hand over the reins to people who shared this commitment to doing our small part to positively impact the world around us.”

Both former owners will maintain a presence in the business over the next few months.

“Katie and I will work alongside Deanna and Carson to ensure a smooth transition for our clients,” Magnetta said. “McConnell Marketing was built on the values of open, honest communication and maintaining strong relationships. I believe we’ve survived 32 years as a small business by upholding these values. We’re all working together to ensure the same will be true moving forward.”

Pictured at top: Carson Lisko, left, and Deanna Clement.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.