Miguel Piedra

Principal, Managing Partner

Creative visionary. Problem solver. Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist. With an outstanding record of success that includes being named to PRWeek magazine’s 2012 “Top 40 under 40 PR Executives,” Miguel is the “ROCK” in RockOrange.

Miguel’s world has no borders. Having lived and worked in some of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the world, including Hong Kong and Paris, his network spans the globe.

This trilingual lover of new cultures first showcased his marketing and communications muscle working for the world’s most famous mouse. During his nearly a decade working for Disney Parks and Resorts, Miguel successfully lead some of the company’s biggest media relations initiatives on three different continents, from opening new theme parks and launching new blockbuster attractions, to inspiring more than 1 million people into action.

As if that weren’t enough, Miguel was most recently chief communicator for Burger King Corporation and its network of over 13,000 restaurants in more than 80 countries. While at The Home of the WHOPPER^®, he led all internal and external communications for the brand’s global turnaround strategy and managed more local, national and global crises than he can count on his abacus. This guy knows how to make things happen.

When he’s not running companies, Miguel and his wife can be found running after their five-year-old son, dabbling in photography and using his proclivity for the camera to see the world through different-colored lenses.

David Naranjo

Principal, Managing Partner

The “ORANGE” in RockOrange, David brings “freshly squeezed” ideas to global branding. He can spot a trend before it’s a trend, and his finger is always on the pulse of pop culture. That’s how you become Director of Media Relations at Sony Music Entertainment, where he was responsible for U.S. Hispanic and general market campaigns for music crossover royalty, including Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Shakira and Marc Anthony.

Most recently, David was at the helm of Estefan Enterprises’ marketing, strategic partnerships, public relations and global branding efforts. During his more than a dozen years with the Estefans, he launched many multi-platform campaigns for the company’s entertainment and hospitality divisions working with global partners including, Visa, AT&T, Univision, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Music and AARP. He also launched Emilio Estefan’s Picks, a curated entertainment collection at Target.

David began his career in broadcast journalism where he was known to secure some of the biggest celebrity one-on-ones in the business. A jetsetter and master multicultural marketer, he has relationships with influencers from all over the world.

But no matter how high he flies, his feet are always on the ground. David is passionate about giving back to the community, affording others a chance to follow their dreams. We’d call him a RockStar, except he’s a former opera student and can belt out an aria like nobody’s business.

Alix Salyers

Vice President, General Manager / Chicago

A corporate bohemian, Alix is an attorney turned retail executive and public relations strategist who now runs the RockOrange Chicago office. Whenever she touches global blue-chip clients, they turn to gold. Just ask BURGER KING®, Purina, Abbott Laboratories or Indy Racing League for starters, where she was in charge of program development. And when it comes to crisis and brand management, Alix has a proven track record that could rival that of Olympic medalists.

When she’s not fighting the good fight for clients far and wide, Alix can be found exploring the community with her husband and two dogs. Speaking of man’s best friend, she’s also an expert in what she calls “puppy karma,” matching the Fidos of the world with their perfect owners, and vice-versa. 

Gary Gerbino

Vice President, Lifestyle & Leisure

Whether in-house or as a consultant, Gary has specialized in delivering big ideas for top brands… and has the awards to show for it. Early on he helped impresarios Ian Schrager and the late Steve Rubell introduce the boutique hotel concept with The Royalton. Later, he opened Costa d’Este for pop icon Gloria Estefan.

Gary has also made a big splash in the cruise industry, directing the media launch for five ships, including Queen Mary 2. He also provided PR counsel to the cruise industry trade association: CLIA.
Because fine cuisine is synonymous with luxury ships and hotels, Gary – who is a big foodie – has worked with some of the best, including Daniel Boulud, Cat Cora, Todd English, Charlie Palmer, Jacques Pépin and Wolfgang Puck.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Johanne Pradel Wilson

Chief Creative Strategist

While Johanne’s official title at RockOrange is Chief Creative Strategist, she also goes by “Queen of Ideas.” Our very own brand stylist, Johanne establishes the complete look, tone and feel of advertising campaigns, as well as packaging, corporate identities, online media and non-traditional interactive. She brings an attuned flair for global style and design (not to mention an impeccable sense of fashion) to RockOrange.

With the many Addys and other industry awards that Johanne has earned throughout her career, she is most proud of her involvement in the community. She has a devout passion to help young people and women in crisis through her work with the Miami non-profit organization, Peacemakers.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Paulina Naranjo

Vice President, Media Relations

A lover of music, film and culture… and a self-professed foodie, Paulina has translated these loves into a successful public relations career specialized in tantalizing the senses and sparking the imagination. She blends traditional marketing and PR with a dash of digital and a splash of creativity to deliver five-star campaigns. It’s no wonder… she has worked with some of the most celebrated international culinary stars as a key member of the team behind the South Beach Wine & Food Festival for nearly a decade. Paulina also introduced restaurants and cookbooks for celebrity chefs Michelle Bernstein and Michael Schwartz, among others.

She also launched blockbuster films for Warner Bros., Sony and Pixar, establishing a rapport with some of the most important media and digital influencers, which she leverages to increase market value and visibility for clients. When she’s not working, you can find Paulina creating new recipes for her modern-Mexican popsicle business, Paulina’s Pops. Simply put, everything she does is delicious.

Bryson W. Thornton

Senior Account Director

Bryson has served as communications counsel and media spokesperson for some of the world’s most admired brands… from talking ketchup bottles for Heinz to the world’s largest doghouse for Milk-Bone, walking the red carpet with StarKist’s Charlie the Tuna, and even a cat game show for Meow Mix.

Sure he can add the sizzle but he’s also known for helping his clients protect their brand equity while navigating complex issues.  And the industry has taken notice. Bryson has received a long list of accolades that include PRWeek’s “40 Under 40,” “15-to-Watch” by PR News magazine and “Rising Star” by the Public Relations Society of America. Most recently, Bryson was director of global communications for the Burger King Corporation.

When he’s not building brands, this identical twin… yes there are two of him… can be found playing with his 13lb Shih Tzu, Gizmo, or getting his online shopping fix.

Julissa M. Bonfante

Account Director

Whether it’s designing strategic communications programs for multinational companies or launching a digital media start-up, Julissa has a solid track record in both corporate and agency settings. She knows how to work it and is skilled at building relationships with influencers from Wall Street to Main Street.

She has leveraged digital media to build community and reach the tech-savy Hispanic market and executed national events for brands like Goya Foods. Julissa is most definitely an A-type personality… when she was doing investor relations for global financial giant BBVA, she went back to school and earned an MBA to enhance messaging for the CEO.

A social media maven with a passion for writing, she is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post and Mamiverse. When she is not tweeting, she is enjoying the beach with her husband and two kids.
 

David Quiñones

Editorial Director

A seasoned, award-winning journalist and author, David has a facility with the English language and a penchant for content development and storytelling strategies. As the firm’s Editorial Director leading projects along multiple media platforms, David wordsmiths and crafts scripts for RockOrange, helping to tell our clients’ stories in new and engaging ways. A veteran reporter for such outlets as The Miami Herald and PODER Hispanic magazine, David’s words can be read in numerous publications.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sandra D. Fernandez

Director, Agency Affairs

With an MBA and a career that has taken her from cruise line marketing to national and local politics to PR, Sandra is quite comfortable wearing a different hat for each day of the week as our do-everything, go-to person for all things managerial. With a three-year gig at the U.S. Department of State where she was involved in Equal Employment Opportunity policies and U.S. Protocol, it’s no wonder she’s able to keep our lively RockStars in line. In her spare time, Sandra doesn’t vacation, she travels. She has travelled to exotic locales, developing a taste for eclectic cuisine and an ear for beautiful music along the way.
 

Marilyn Luna

Senior Account Executive

Fluent in English, Spanish and American Sign Language, this outgoing, over-achiever starts her day off reviewing AP’s “10 Things to Know for Today.” With previous award-winning results for clients in the business, entertainment, healthcare and travel industries, Marilyn is key to helping develop and execute marketing and public relations programs for RockOrange clients. Before joining our team, she was a senior analyst, external global communications and culture, for the Burger King Corporation. If you’re looking for Marilyn on the weekends, head for her second office, Oleta River Park, where paddle boarding, kayaks and mountain biking are always on the agenda.

Mike Mayer

Account Executive

If you ask Mike to tell you when he joined the RockOrange team, he will happily tell you to “check the records.” Do this and you will see that he is the agency’s first official employee and original RockStar. Having worked for Miguel as part of the Burger King Corporation global communications team, he jumped at the opportunity to join this new team. A graduate of the University of Miami’s business school, Mike’s skill set and personality always drew him towards the communications field. The Boston native and devout Patriots fan, brings diversity to the RockOrange team of Dolphins fans in the Miami office.
 
 

Tymeco Pyles

Account Coordinator

A recent graduate of Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Tymeco’s bubbly personality and positive attitude can instantly transform the energy in any room.  Our “Millennial Meco” from Michigan is always in tune to the latest news and trends, staying connected in the Twitterverse. She’s also a new mommy to a beautiful baby girl. Meco has insights beyond her years and sees the entire world as a stage. Her personal motto: “Put on a show, wow your audience, leave a lasting impression, and dance like no one’s watching.”