Manley Creative Team

MEET THE
MANLEY CREATIVE TEAM

Jim Manley

Jim Manley

CEO & DIRECTOR

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Jim fell in love with telling memorable stories when he was 5 years old. Since then, Jim grew up to first spend14 years in the news business winning many awards, including 28 Rocky Mountain Emmy awards and 2 New York Film Festival awards. After that, Jim started Manley Creative and was the sole employee. For almost 2 decades, he’s been proud to watch the company grow into an agency with a global reach. In addition to being a Dad of 3 boys, Jim taught at ASU for 18 years, is an author,  is currently the Chairman of the board at The Phoenix Theatre Company, and is an advisory board member for the Phoenix Film Festival Foundation.

What I’m passionate about:

At work: The wide variety of projects we get to work on every single day with our valued clients. Watching the Manley Creative team doing everything they can to always make those projects better for our valued clients.

At home: My family is numero uno. Always. My wife, my 3 boys, my dog, my parents, and my brothers and sisters. Also, giving back to the community that has given so much to me by serving on various boards in Arizona and contributing to causes however I can.

Crissy Saint

Crissy Saint

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

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Crissy Saint is a Founder + Executive with 15 years of experience growing businesses and brands in a leadership capacity as it relates to brand, marketing, and growth strategies. She’s played a vital role in scaling revenue and reach for several B2B, B2C, and DTC e-commerce entities and grew a global give-back platform to over 100k+ members and raised funds for over 60 nonprofits while supporting their missions via strategic cause marketing campaigns and events.

What I’m passionate about

At work:
Helping and mentoring others whenever possible, as well as learning from those around me. Additionally, I geek out about process improvement that supports an organization’s ability to scale quickly and efficiently and enjoy applying my strategic perspective to systems to enable growth.

At home:
Family is everything. Spending quality time with my partner, son, and our crew of 2 dogs, 1 cat, and 3 chickens makes my heart the happiest.
I also enjoy hosting sound baths as a certified sound practitioner, traveling internationally, and performing competitively at poetry slams.

Rich Beissel

Rich Beissel

COO

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Rich is an award-winning videographer and editor who has been with Manley Creative since 2010. Altogether, Rich has managed all operations including videography and post-production editing. Known for his attention to detail, artistic eye and strategic storytelling, Rich leverages his unique perspective to bring campaigns to life for clients like U-Haul and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona.

What I’m passionate about:

At work: I work with the best team in the business. They are consummate professionals, but they are also genuinely good people.

At home: My wife and my kids make me smile every day. Also the idea of the Phoenix Suns not being terrible at basketball.

Alyssa Grock

Alyssa Grock

ACCOUNT MANAGER

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Alyssa’s passion for others and getting the job done helps her excel in the Account Manager role. She has over 8 years of experience in the Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations fields, working with everyone from minor league hockey teams, to convention centers and movie theaters, or even healthcare organizations in Las Vegas, Boise, and Phoenix. Alyssa also has a background in social media management and graphic design, giving her a unique perspective when working with clients and creatives. After accepting a job at an agency back in 2019 after graduating from Boise State (Go Broncos), she has continued to grow and broaden her knowledge.

What I’m passionate about:

At work: I am passionate about being surrounded by like-minded individuals who love what they do and work towards a common goal. I love seeing a project start at bare bones and form into something amazing, whether it’s a full campaign or just production. It really is amazing seeing what we can all do.

At home: I am passionate about spending time with my family (fur babies included), trying out new recipes with my fiance, working out and going for long mom walks with my girls, and traveling when I can. I love watching new movies, but these days I am watching a lot of Sesame
Street and Ms. Rachel.

Jeff Dykhuizen

Jeff Dykhuizen

LEAD PRODUCER

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Jeff Dykhuizen is an experienced independent filmmaker, producer and director. His passion for filmmaking  grew from his weekly trips to the movie theater with his parents. Altogether, his reel includes a diverse variety of projects and clients ranging from sports and news coverage to national commercials and feature films. Additionally, Jeff’s recent feature, Teenage Badass, was selected to have its world premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival.

What I’m passionate about:

At work: I love the process and the people. I’m privileged to have worked on projects with the most amazing clients, cast and crew.

At home: Happily married, dad of a 3-year-old and two pups, shoots 35mm film and a Lakers fan for life.

Jill Neidorf

Jill Neidorf

VP., Client services

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Jill literally grew up in the advertising world with a father in the business, which led to her being an extra in various commercials (and doing the opener on Good Morning America). She spent the bulk of her career in Chicago, working on a variety of disciplines including TV, print, experiential, digital and product launches for many Fortune 500 clients. Industry types have spanned across travel, financial services, CPG, QSRs and retail, to name a few.

What I’m passionate about:

At work: It’s energizing to dive into clients’ objectives / goals, collaborating with talented colleagues to bring forward strategic, creative solutions that exceed expectations.

At home: I love to travel internationally, immerse in other cultures and study foreign languages. Now that I live in gorgeous Arizona, local exploration and hiking are also high on my “happy” list.

Miranda Dueñas

Miranda Dueñas

MARKETING COORDINATOR

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Miranda’s a dynamic marketer with a background in project coordination and video content creation for social media.

What I’m passionate about:

At work: Working in an environment where diversity is celebrated, and I’m pushed to learn alongside great people!

At home: As a first-generation Mexican American, I take pride in my culture and family values. I enjoy trying new recipes in the kitchen, traveling when I can, and challenging myself artistically by experimenting with new styles and mediums!

Jason Allread

Jason Allread

HEAD OF PRODUCTION

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Jason has been creating and producing video projects for over 20 years, ranging from local television news to national weekly programming for ESPN. His portfolio also includes numerous commercial and corporate projects. Combining his knack for logistics and details with his passion for creativity, Jason likes focusing on seeing a project develop from creation to completion. Indeed, he feels that he’s never worked a day in his life being in this business! A native of Ohio, Jason and his wife, Monica, have lived in North Phoenix since 2002 and enjoy spending time with their 2 rescue dogs, Zeke & Kosar.

What I’m passionate about:

At work: I love when the pre-production planning for any project,  big or small, comes together and is put into action by the best crew in the business.

At home: Spending time with my wife and family, traveling, being active, and following my favorite sports teams.

Shannon Scharrer

Shannon Scharrer

PROJECT MANAGER

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Shannon is a dynamic producer and multimedia storyteller. Her portfolio spans television and radio at both national and local levels. Shannon has experience as a show producer for a national daily television show, as well as a multimedia journalist and news producer. She enjoys the excitement of coordinating with a team, and working alongside editors to bring a story to life. Shannon is a Phoenix native who loves the valley of the sun, music, pop culture, and viral videos.

What I’m passionate about:

At work: I’m passionate about collaborating with a creative team and seeing a project develop through the post-production process.

At home: I love spending time with my family, camping, boating, and sneaking away to the Pacific Ocean whenever possible.

Ashley Carncross

Ashley Carncross

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

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Ashley is an experienced Production Coordinator who has always had a passion for video production and organization. She’s  been coordinating for quite a while now and loves  seeing projects come to life on the, not always big, screen. Her passion for video and filmmaking is untraceable; if you really want to embarrass her, ask about the old “movies” she made back when she was just an angsty teenager.

What I’m passionate about:

At work: I am passionate about creating an environment where our team can really shine. I love providing aid to anyone who needs my assistance to complete our projects.

At home: I am always doing something creative, whether it’s writing, filming shorts, creating art, experiencing music, or playing video games. I like to balance my indoor passions with outdoor ones as well; I can always be found hiking, exploring the world, and volunteering for multiple organizations.

Adam Bellucci

Adam Bellucci

EDITOR

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Adam is an accomplished editor with experience spanning from commercials, documentaries, sports, and most recently helped launch and facilitate an 11-season run of a nationally syndicated tv show. His favorite part of the job is working with a team of uniquely skilled individuals to bring a creative vision to life. Adam gets his inspiration from watching movies with his family, listening to his daughters sing, and discovering new places to snowboard every winter.

What I’m passionate about:

At work: I feel lucky to have chosen a profession that is equal parts challenging and fun. It’s important to have both in my life.

At home: My wife and daughters are my reason for everything. They are loving, supportive, and always keep me laughing.

Mariah Ahern

Mariah Ahern

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

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Mariah brings over 7 years of experience to the Graphic Design space. She’s a self-taught, lifelong learner and is excited by the endless possibilities for growth within digital art and design. Mariah has crafted email and web marketing content, digital ads, social media graphics, UI/UX designs, infographics, motion graphics, vector illustrations, iconography, logos, and more. Mariah enjoys pushing her creative boundaries and gaining more experience in a field she is truly passionate about.

What I’m passionate about:

At work:
Getting to work with a diverse group of creatives and learning about their passions as well as learning something new from them. Also, getting to see the work come to life and make projects that tell a great story.

At home:
I love creating digital illustrations, oil painting, 3D modeling, 2D animation and continuing the learning process. I also enjoy hanging out with friends and family, playing video games with my husband, watching scary movies, being judged by my senior dachshund mix dog, Duncan, and working out.

Ryan Anderson

Ryan Anderson

CFO

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During Ryan’s two decades of professional experience, he has raised debt and equity capital, built high-performance teams, transformed and scaled organizations, and driven the achievement of uncommon financial results. Prior to joining Manley Creative, Ryan enjoyed serving as the CFO of multiple high-growth companies in several sectors including a VC-backed brand-tech startup, multiple full-service ad agencies, a global strategy execution consulting firm, and multiple law firms. As a member of the Manley Creative leadership team, Ryan supports strategy development and execution related to the growth ambitions of the agency. Ryan holds a BBA in Accounting from Oglethorpe University as well as an MBA in Global Business from Georgia Tech.

What I’m passionate about:

At work:
As the CFO of our dynamic creative agency, I find immense joy in being at the intersection of artistry and strategy. Witnessing the transformation of innovative ideas into tangible projects is exhilarating. Collaborating with our talented teams to allocate resources wisely, navigate financial landscapes, and ensure the financial health of our agency, all while supporting the realization of imaginative concepts, is a deeply rewarding experience. The ability to contribute to the growth of our agency’s creative vision while maintaining a solid financial foundation resonates with my passion for both business acumen and artistic expression.

At home:
My life is a blend of cherished moments with family and friends, the adrenaline rush of watching Formula 1 racing, and the transformative power of global travel. Each passion contributes to a life well-lived, full of joy, excitement, and growth.

Hillary Applegate

Hillary Applegate

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

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With over a decade in digital marketing, Hillary has honed her skills across a broad range of industries—everything from big tech to guacamole. A seasoned digital media expert, she specializes in creating impactful online content, nurturing vibrant communities, and activating creative campaigns through digital advertising. Leading the digital team that supports our Manley Creative clients, Hillary brings dedication and know-how to the table for each client’s unique needs.

What I’m passionate about:

At work: Collaborating with the team and our partners, hitting the mark and exceeding expectations.

At home: Reformer Pilates, spending time with my family and four-legged creatures, being outdoors and attempting to turn my brown thumb into a green thumb in the garden.

Zack Bender

Zack Bender

LEAD EDITOR / COLORIST

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Zack is very passionate about all post-production and specializes in film and video editing. His pursuit of post-production mastery started at the age of 10 and he continues to learn new tools, techniques, regulations, specifications and other nerdy stuff. Additionally, his experience includes freelance editing for film, video and television, as well as two years at LinkedIn. Zack cherishes his wife and their son, and feels blessed to come home to them every day.

What I’m passionate about:

At work: I love guiding the viewer’s attention and emotion through the art of editing to serve whatever story is being told.

At home: I love spending time with my wife and son, playing board games and watching films.

Allyson Berkley

Allyson Berkley

ACCOUNTANT

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Allyson is a true midwestern girl that planted her seed in Arizona back in 1996, when she attended the University of Arizona. After being an elementary school teacher for 10 years, she found her passion in the accounting world as a result of working with numbers every day.

What I’m passionate about:

At work: I’m passionate about using my detailed oriented skills to solve puzzles, and ultimately keep the leadership team at ease, knowing that their financials needs are being prioritized and taken care of.

At home: My family is # 1. I love being a supportive mom to my daughter, son, and stepdaughter. I am also a proud dog mom to our Golden Doodle, Goldie.