Meet The Loud Interactive Team

Brent D. Payne

Chief Executive Officer – @BrentDPayne

Brent D. Payne started doing ‘SEO’ before it was even called ‘SEO’. He’s an internet marketer with over a decade of experience and proven success. He cut his teeth in online marketing as a vendor for Amazon.com where he became Amazon’s second largest electronics vendor by driving demand to Amazon from search engines.

Brent is esteemed as one of the top SEOs in the world. He speaks around the world (just Google ‘SEO presentations’ to find them) at online conferences and has held online marketing roles at prestigious companies such as Tribune Company, where he grew Tribune’s search engine traffic from 500,000 visits per day to 1,700,000 visits per day in just 3 years. He’s been consulting since 2009. He did so part time at first as he drove success at Tribune.

He began consulting full-time in 2011 with the advent of BaldSEO.com. He has helped several different companies in several different industries. In fact, his success necessitated the expansion of the consulting firm beyond himself which eventually led to the creation of Loud Interactive. Why the company name change? The employees he hired wouldn’t shave their heads!

Interests: Online anything and everything. Family first. Adrenaline sports (especially those involving water in all its forms). Convincing ‘balding’ men to commit, shave their heads and embrace the bald lifestyle.

Most Likely Song to Sing Karaoke: Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks or anything Nickelback. Yes, Brent loves country music (he grew up in the small town of Irrigon, OR) and Nickelback…we try not to judge him too harshly on his music preferences.

Brandon Zeman

Search Marketing Manager – @brandonzeman

Brandon works to strategize and implement tactics to ensure client objectives are achieved. Brandon takes a holistic view to search marketing, considering social media, content creation, PR, online reputation, and paid search into the equation. Brandon is also a Google AdWords Qualified Professional.

Interests: Playing ice hockey around Chicagoland, walking his dog, Jack, running the occasional 5K, a good cup of coffee, having dinner with his fiance, Elizabeth. Fun fact: Brandon will be getting married in Ireland in June.

Most Likely Song to Sing For Karaoke: You won’t find Brandon on the stage very often, but when you do, he’s probably singing a country song.

Lauren Jaeckel

Senior SEO Copywriter – @laurenjaeckel

Lauren is from the “Brew City,” also known as Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Shortly after graduating from the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse with a degree in Marketing and Public Relations & Organizational Communication, she upgraded to Chicago.

As Senior SEO Copywriter, Lauren oversees all content needs for Loud Interactive and its clients, inputting her creative expertise across online marketing channels from editorial and social media to paid search advertising and more. She enjoys the challenging aspects of creating interesting and engaging content from sometimes, less-than-interesting subjects. Staying current on the latest in SEO is another major aspect of her role in writing optimized and share-worthy content.

Interests: Lauren enjoys music, horror movies, museums and cooking. In her free time, you might find her outside or near the water, at a concert, or wining and dining with friends.

Karaoke Song of Choice: “PYT” by Michael Jackson. Self-proclaimed “biggest-fan.”

Ryan Kuphall

Social Media Coordinator – @kuphinit

As a native of Chicago, Ryan has enjoyed a career in the technology field for almost two years now. He graduated from Loyola University Chicago as a scholarship cross country/track and field athlete and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing.

Ryan began as a copywriter with the company, and while he does still perform copywriting duties, he has transitioned into the Social Media side of Loud Interactive. Overseeing and contributing to all of Loud Interactive’s accounts such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google + and Pinterest, Ryan provides relevant information that is shared with Loud Interactive clients and followers. With the ever changing market of how company’s interact with customers and clients, Ryan enjoys the challenge in making sure Loud Interactive stays competitive within the industry.

Interests: Ryan enjoys all things sports, especially running, as he’s been a runner for 15 years now. He enjoys astronomy, space and science in general, a self proclaimed “nerd.” A lover of all things Chicago, he never wants to leave the Greatest City in the World.

Most Likely Song to Sing For Karaoke: Anything by Hall & Oates – but his go-to is “Private Eyes.”

Sarah McMillin

Director – @Milli1209

With her extensive experience and ability to oversee the team, Sarah fits the profile of SEO Director at Loud Interactive. She attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and an unofficial degree in socialization.

Sarah has a talent for working with diverse sets of clients to determine their needs and expectations and quickly deliver the solution. She is often heard chatting with clients to make sure they are getting the highest quality of service that Loud Interactive has to offer. Sarah is known around the office for her quirky, outgoing personality and her ability to take the “kids” under her wing. They even call her Mama Bear!

Interests: When she isn’t busy taking care of her Loud family, she enjoys spending time with her Boston Terrier Brody, networking, enjoying a good glass of wine and exploring all that the city of Chicago has to offer.

Karaoke Song of Choice: “Stay” by Lisa Loeb

Christopher Garcia

Search Marketing Assistant – @CPatGarcia

Chris works to make sure clients achieve visibility that is both viral but also worthwhile. Chris strives to implement the best tactics for SEO, social media, and public relations; he makes sure copy is well-written and creative.

Interests: Chris enjoys running, watching any sport, and dancing. Chris and his college friends like to believe they will be the next Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon; they record an occasional sports podcast.

Karaoke Song of Choice: Chris prefers ironic karaoke so Miley Cyrus or N’Sync will probably be issuing from his seductive vocal chords.

Oliver Trunkett

SEO Associate – @Olivertrunkett

Oliver’s goal is to make sure every page of a website is optimized to its fullest potential, that a website is fully leveraging every new type of marketing technology as it emerges, and to develop strategies assisting clients monitor their sites and development policy.

Interests: Oliver is the office baristo, he enjoys picking up heavy things and putting them back down, learning new things, cute animals

Karaoke Song of Choice: “F**k Her Gently” by Tenacious D

Hayley Harper

PR and Event Intern – @Hayl_Storm89

Hayley heads the numerous events that Loud Interactive hosts as well as helping with content on Loud Interactive’s social media outlets. She is currently working on Loud’s new series of seminars focusing on various areas of SEO and online marketing.

Interests: Hayley enjoys watching college football (especially her Missouri Tigers) and reality television. In her free time Hayley can also be found brunching with friends or relaxing on a patio, enjoying a cocktail.

Karaoke Song of Choice: “Pour Some Sugar On Me” by Def Leppard

Sammi Gassel

Social Media Intern – @ToriTheCat

Sammi works to maintain Loud Interactive’s Facebook and LinkedIn accounts. She is currently honing her blog-writing skills by writing weekly posts for Loud Interactive’s website.

Interests: Sammi enjoys participating in and viewing musical theatre, learning about health education, watching Dance Moms, cats and doing a good jigsaw puzzle.

Karaoke Song of Choice: “What Dreams are Made Of” (from the Lizzie McGuire Movie) by Hilary Duff