Punch Media is a full-service boutique agency specializing in public relations, marketing, media management, events, consulting, and brand development.
We are a collective of proactive media savvy professionals who deliver measurable results in a timely fashion. We offer more than two decades of media, branding, consulting, writing, and TV and print advertising experience in both the corporate arena as well as small- to mid-range business development.
James Zeleniak – Founder & CEO
James – an admitted media junkie – is a seasoned journalist, editor, writer, and consultant who has edited Where Magazine in Philadelphia and Baltimore, as well as written extensively on the Philadelphia region, the culinary arts, real estate, trends, culture, music, nightlife, fitness, and more for a multitude of publications including Philadelphia Style and City Paper. Zeleniak has spent the last decade spearheading communication strategies regionally and nationally for clients of PUNCH Media and mentoring his growing team. As a principal partner in PUNCH Media, Zeleniak parlays his years of inside-industry experience and dynamic creativity into compelling campaigns that achieve desired results for a diverse client base. For the last five years Zeleniak has chaired the PR Committee for No Kid Hungry’s Taste of the Nation event and is also a Board Member for The Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation. In his free time, James can be found exploring his love for combat sports, nutrition, cooking and entertaining for family and friends.
Alicia Crawford-Zeleniak – Director of Operations & Communications Specialist
Alicia Crawford-Zeleniak has enjoyed life on both sides of the fence and knows that each is equally green. She is a marketing communications professional with experience on both the client and agency sides of business. She has extensive knowledge of marketing communications, brand identity and advertising, as well as multi-media project management and production. Her forte is in translating corporate/client strategy into brand-building opportunities to generate revenue. She has worked as talent in TV and radio spots, and has managed broadcast campaigns from concept to production to post-production. More recently, Crawford-Zeleniak managed national branding and acquisition advertising as Director, Marketing Communications at Comcast.
Kylie Flett – Director of PR & Strategy
Following two long-term stints at other agencies, Flett recently rejoined the PUNCH Media team which is where she first launched her career and cultivated her love for PR. She is highly respected amongst Philadelphia’s press and business communities, particularly from a food and beverage perspective. Flett is a tenacious and seasoned pro — who like James, shares a must-win attitude for PUNCH Media’s clients. She has extensive experience in developing brand strategies for clients such as Henry A Davidsen – Master Tailors + Image Consultants, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, Philadelphia Distilling and Bluecoat American Dry Gin. Flett holds a masters degree in Professional and Business Communications from Philadelphia’s La Salle University and hails from Adelaide, South Australia. Flett is a board member for Morris Animal Refuge and sits on the committee for their Annual Fur Ball Event. She is a proud owner of a rescued pug mix named Lucy-Furr, is an enthusiastic at-home cook, former bartender and retired lacrosse player/coach.
Emily Marmion – Sr. Account Executive
Emily Marmion knows a thing or two about PUNCH Media, having collaborated with James, Kylie, and the team on various projects and clients over the last three years. Emily graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and double majored in English and Communications. Emily’s talents run the gamut of developing pitches, garnering press for clients, social media marketing, managing interns, and more. Following the core ethos of PUNCH Media, Emily has extensive experience in hospitality and has a keen interest in craft beer.
Nicole Schofield – Account Executive
Nicole graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a focus on Print Journalism, and a minor in Sociology. She has interned for a Philadelphia-based lifestyle magazine where her passion for writing, social media, and showcasing the city of brotherly love came to fruition. As a Philadelphia native and self-proclaimed foodie, one of Nicole’s favorite hobbies is checking out the many acclaimed, diverse restaurants that the city has to offer. Nicole has years of experience working in the hospitality industry, and has a profound interest in photography.
Kira Cappello – PR Coordinator
Kira is a Public Relations Coordinator with a BA in Public Relations, the frontperson of her band Humilitarian, a music nerd, and Bee’s Knees enthusiast. Kira’s interests lie in local music journalism, booking and attending local shows, and cocktail blogging, with her pre-PR experience rooted in years of experience working in the coffee, restaurant, and retail industries. With PUNCH Media, Kira’s experience includes social media development, event planning, traditional public relations, photoshoot direction and styling, and music journalism. She has a range of freelance work published on music blogs including The Key (WXPN), Imperfect Fifth, and Melted Magazine, where she covers up-and-coming indie artists. Kira is currently three-years-deep at PUNCH Media after time spent interning and working part-time with the team. She is looking forward to expanding her experience in the beverage and liquor markets on a national scale on #TeamKRUSH at PUNCH Media.
Lex Nemchenko – Public Relations Coordinator
Lex graduated from Baruch College in New York with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing and Advertising, and a minor in French. His professional background is steeped in business development, sales automation, digital marketing and strategy. A Brooklyn native and major live music enthusiast, Lex has made his home in Philadelphia after frequent visits to see his favorite bands perform, all while nurturing a crush on the city. A hopeful romantic, Lex is a writer with a concentration on poetry and has a healthy obsession with instant film.
Thayne Rivera – Graphic Designer
Thayne is a junior graphic designer with a BFA from Temple University. He previously studied at the Tyler School of Art and has a great interest in illustration, typography, and anything related to any form of design. Whether he’s working on his computer or sketching with a pencil and paper, Thayne pushes his level of creativity to develop original, stand-out designs. Some of his previous work includes social media ad campaigns, web/UX-UI design, branding identity, illustration, and packaging design. He was born and raised in the city of Brotherly Love, now he’s out of college and hoping to further his career as a designer and artist. On his off days, you can catch him cooking with friends, listening to music, or riding around the city.
Samantha Schultz – Social Media Coordinator
A local suburbanite turned city girl, Samantha is a senior public relations major at Temple University. As a self-proclaimed “foodie,” she feels right at home with PUNCH Media and is passionate about our client list. She is also a service industry native, having almost a decade of experience in various F&B jobs in the Philadelphia area including serving, bartending, and bottle service. If she’s not at PUNCH, tending bar, or doing homework, you’re most likely to find her clad in gogo boots at the Dolphin Tavern’s monthly ABBA nights.
Tristan Kim – Public Relations Assistant
Tristan is a Philly native with a passion for all things media, food, and travel, having explored no less than ten countries outside the US. He most recently spent eight months in Bangkok, Thailand where he studied for the US Foreign Service Officer Test and learned how to make authentic Texas-style barbecue beef ribs with his uncle. After returning from Bangkok, Tristan developed an interest in PR while working as a communications and marketing specialist for his alma mater, Germantown Friends School. He leapt at the opportunity to work with PUNCH Media and looks forward to an exciting future with the PUNCH team. When not working or abroad, Tristan can be found playing games with his friends online, guessing the plots of movies while he watches them, and trying to get use out of his BA in English Writing from the University of Pittsburgh by writing a novel he swears will one day be finished.
Madison Militello – Public Relations Assistant
Madison is a born-Philadelphian with four years of service industry experience and a BA in Public Relations and minors in both Marketing and Event Planning from DePaul University. Excited to begin a career in her beloved hometown, she joined PUNCH in the fall of 2022. Madison’s passion for connecting with others and love of the city makes her a welcome addition to PUNCH, where she now works with Team Triple Threat on a variety of accounts in the hospitality space and beyond. When not in the office, you can find Madison delving into the latest trending novels, searching for Philly’s best chai tea latte, and going on long “hot girl” walks with her four-legged bestie Beau.
Alexander Branco – Public Relations Assistant
Born and raised by two South Philly natives who “escaped” to the suburbs, Alex took the first chance he could to return to the City of Brotherly Love. He joins PUNCH Media as a veteran in the hospitality and service industries, having spent the better part of seven years as a server, bartender, and caterer. Alex also holds a B.A. in Screenwriting and a minor in Creative Writing, graduating from the University of the Arts in 2020. At PUNCH, he aims to utilize both his industry experience and writing skills to support his team and clients. Alex is an avid concert goer and is a big fan of St. Vincent, Vampire Weekend, and The Velvet Underground. In his free time, Alex finds himself either making art, playing music, gaming, or being disappointed by the Sixers.
Hannah Church – Public Relations Assistant
Hannah grew up in Kennett Square, PA, known as the “Mushroom Capital of the World”. She has a personal interest in environmental protection and has experience in eco-conscious retail, having worked both with a small women-owned vintage store in her hometown and a sustainable fashion label in Rome, Italy. While working towards her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies at Temple University, Hannah developed a passion for writing and social media. Today, Hannah works for PUNCH as a Public Relations Assistant, bringing her skill and drive to food and beverage clients in the City of Brotherly Love and beyond. When she’s not at work, you can find Hannah hunting through her favorite thrift stores, trying new vegan food, or moshing with her dad at a concert.
Wayne Dreuitt – Public Relations Intern
An “uptown” Philly native, Wayne joined the PUNCH team in early 2022, coming to PUNCH as an intern with an Associate’s Degree in Mass Media as he works toward graduating from Temple University with a B.A in advertising this December. A self-proclaimed “godlike” gamer and lover of all things food, Wayne has worked in the food and hospitality industry for 10+ years. His favorite meals to cook are General Tso’s Chicken and Birria tacos. When he’s not crushing it for PUNCH MEDIA, or turning in homework assignments, he streams live as a variety streamer and content creator.
Eleni Sterious – Public Relations Intern
Eleni is a senior Public Relations major at Temple University and a member of the executive board of PROWL, a student-run PR firm on campus. She is passionate about the communication field and the eccentric food and beverage scene in Philadelphia. As a service industry veteran for the last six years, Eleni is exceptionally familiar with the PUNCH client list. She is a seasoned traveler who loves experiencing the food and beverage scene around the world, an interest that grew from regular family trips to Greece. When she’s not writing press releases, Eleni is a proud cat mom who loves a good happy hour, hazy IPAs, shopping for new clothes, and early morning gym sessions.
Hannah Sbitany – Public Relations Intern
Hailing from Northern Virginia, Hannah moved to Philadelphia to attend Temple University. She followed her interest media relations there and is currently a Senior with a major in Public Relations with a minor in Digital Media Engagement. On top of her coursework and internship at PUNCH Media, Hannah not only works Peer Mentor at Klein College, but also spends the weekend as a waiter in Center city. With strong work ethic, industry experience, and personal interest in travel and lifestyle media relations, Hannah is a great fit PUNCH, where she assists Team Triple Threat with their client accounts. When not on that grind, Hannah spends her free time trying new cuisines and lifting weights.