Here’s Who’ll Be Helping You Soar

The Principals at Light Now Media

Heather Mandel

Founder, Chief Copywriter, Marketing Strategist

In early childhood, Heather realized that communication and storytelling were her life’s passions. She has dedicated her life to mastering the crafts of writing, communications, and storytelling—and is grateful to have worked with some of the greatest companies and brightest minds on earth to develop her skills over the past 25 years.

Right out of university, Heather started working for Saban Entertainment—the company that produced the Power Rangers global phenomenon—and quickly became their lead marketing copywriter, executive speechwriter, and a public relations manager promoting their television properties internationally. She was then promoted to Director of Corporate Communications when the company merged with News Corp.

Meanwhile, Heather put her passion for storytelling to work in co-developing and selling Breaker High, a network children’s television series that aired around the world and helped launch Ryan Gosling to stardom. She then started her own business and continued working in entertainment as a speechwriter and sales scriptwriter for top film studios—supporting the global licensing and promotional successes of blockbuster film franchises such as Spider-Man, Men in Black, Stuart Little, Terminator, Charlie’s Angels, and James Bond.

Heather quickly expanded into other industries as a sought-after copywriter and marketing communications consultant. As of today, her marketing communications services have helped to effectively engage audiences and generate billions of dollars in revenue for global market leaders and household brands across multiple industries: News Corp, Sony Pictures, Easter Seals Southern California, Bank of New York/Mellon, Lennar, Toshiba, Walt Disney Studios, Wells Fargo, Epicor Software, Lytx, Goodwill Industries, University of Michigan, and many others.

In addition to leading the Light Now Media team and serving as a devoted team member on every project, Heather is a certified multidisciplinary yoga teacher and reiki master teacher. She loves yoga, hiking, and practicing the art of “being” under the tutelage of her and Paul’s personal Zen master and Shih-Tzu companion, Buckley.

I love being in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona with my favorite BooBear in the whole world…Buckley.

What can be said about Buckley, other than…he’s our MAGNIFICENT cheerleader and inspires us to be our highest and brightest selves.

Our Amazing Light Now Media Mascot – Buckley. We happily run everything by him.

Paul Thomas

Chief Creative, Web Designer and Developer, Graphic Designer

Paul dances to the beat of the Bee Gees. No, literally, he does! His creative talents and inspiration are fueled solely by the song, “Stayin’ Alive”—need we say more?

While his dreams of being a comedian haven’t quite materialized (yet), Paul did begin a prolific graphics and web design career 25 years ago. Proficient in the latest web development and graphic design software such as WordPress, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator, he can deliver just about anything any client needs. He’s also a gifted writer and copywriter.

We’re grateful to have him on board as he leads our web development and creative services with a big smile and an infectious, positive attitude that helps keep our clients happy, and their audiences captivated. With his deeply honed sensitivity and insight gained from his vast experience, Paul is able to create work in natural alignment with the client’s needs and “nail” projects quickly. He’s applied his wide array of outstanding skills to projects for industry leaders such as Clearlink, Richard Helfrich, Lytx, The Keith Brothers, University of Michigan, and many others.

Paul believes that having an adventurous spirit and being bold—especially when it comes to putting your product, company, brand, or yourself in front of the marketplace—is of the utmost importance. As an accomplished health, nutrition and fitness expert who’s worked for the past 35 years with clients from all walks of life—from pro-bono clients to celebrities such as Christopher Lloyd, Danny DeVito, Carol Kane and others—he also believes that understanding and working well with people is critical to business success.

Truly a man of many talents, Paul is also a former professional cyclist who loves mountain biking, hiking, intensely exploring the mind and body, inventing, hanging out with brilliant people, and chowing down lots of raw foods that nourish the body and mind. His motto is, “Always question beliefs, empower yourself by loving yourself unconditionally, and love your body with all your heart.”

You can count on Paul to always keep your project thriving with creative ideas and to deliver his best.

Soaking in the beauty of my favorite place on the planet—Sedona—in the amazing Boynton Canyon.

Enjoying the day at Dana Point Harbor, California with my dad, who was also my awesome life coach!

Super Talented People Who Help Us Help You

Our Awesome Associates Who We Love and Admire

Ellen Shakespeare, Associate

Copywriter Extraordinaire and All-Around Awesome Person

With a last name like Shakespeare, what more can be said? Naturally, we’re ecstatic to have Ellen Shakespeare on the Light Now Media Team. That’s because in addition to her last name being the coolest, she truly lives up to it, delivering the kind of copy that ignites the imagination and stirs the senses in the tradition of the world’s great writers.

As an accomplished freelance writer and advertising expert, Ellen has worked with distinguished agencies including The Bomb Factory, Goodby Silverstein, Cole & Weber, and Ogilvy & Mather for clients such as Rhino Records, Ford Motor Company, Samsung, Ryka and Avia. She also leverages her knowledge and accomplishments to educate a new generation of communicators and marketers as the Co Director at the School of Advertising at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and previously taught for several years as an Advertising Instructor at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

Ellen conducted her undergraduate studies at Western Michigan University and Art Center College of Design where she received respectively her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees, and received her Master of Arts degree in English from Kent State University. A true renaissance woman, Ellen plays the viola, is an avid ice skater, and watches the television series “Game of Thrones” and “The Knick.”

Working with Ellen is a genuine delight thanks to her can-do spirit, caring, wisdom and genius-creativity that she brings to every project—enjoy!

Ellen is one of the best copywriters on the planet and she’s just an all-around amazing writer that can get it done.

Steve Hines, Associate

Expert Web Developer, Professional Musician, DJ and Music Producer, and Super Dad

We’re thrilled to have Steve Hines on the Light Now Media team as he brings 15 years of experience in all areas of media and marketing strategies. He has developed and refined his design skills through a broad range of mediums and disciplines, including web design, mixed-media/fine art, information architecture, and visual communication. Steve has served numerous industries and has developed sites and marketing plans from start-up company launches all the way to large scale corporate re-designs.

All of Steve’s combined experiences have enabled him to establish a successful career as an online developer, designer and marketing expert. He has worked with numerous clients from diverse industries including building, legal, technology, manufacturing, consumer products and more, as well as worked with many creative agencies. He is constantly on the leading edge of new web trends and search engine optimization analysis.

Steve is an avid hunter, fisherman and BBQ master, and spends most of his free time with his children outdoors. He also is an accomplished musician and DJ in his home town of Reno, NV. When he’s not laying down fresh new designs, you can find him laying down filthy beats behind the drums or the DJ booth. So if you need original music or music production, sound editing and related services—or even an amazing DJ for your corporate event—you’ve got it!

Steve is a talented web developer and when he’s not working, he’s doing what he loves best: creating awesome music or barbecuing tasty food for his family and friends.

David Nagy, Associate

Intellectual Property and Entertainment Lawyer, Highest Money Winner on Jeopardy at One Time, Speaks 6 Languages

David was born in Budapest to American diplomats, grew up in Washington, West Berlin, Copenhagen, Rome and London, and speaks eight languages with varying degrees of fluency as a result, having taught four of them at Berlitz. He played and toured extensively as a singer/guitarist/keyboardist/bassist/songwriter with his own projects and with many acts—including two tours as the lead singer for the Grass Roots—has produced several feature films, and was a champion on “Tic-Tac-Dough,” “Sale of the Century” and of course, “Jeopardy.” So if you need to know the answer to questions like: “This orchestral instrument is the first one heard in Stravinsky’s ‘Orpheus’ & the second heard in Liszt’s ‘Orpheus’”? He’s your guy.

David earned an A.S. in Electronics from Los Angeles Valley College, a B.A. in Political Science from Amherst College, and a J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of the Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Comm/Ent Law Journal. He now has his own law practice, specializing in intellectual property and entertainment law. He is admitted to practice in California and before the USPTO and CAFC, where he has argued exactly one case (and won).

David is a world traveler and a muscle car buff. He was also, at one time, the highest money winner on the game show, Jeopardy.

Armen Oganyan, Associate

Video Production Specialist and Web Development Expert

Armen was born in Armenia and came to the U.S. to further develop his skills in videography, photography, and web development. He loves to inspire people through impactful stories, visually told. Everyone has a story, and he has the privilege of helping people shape theirs and share it with the world. 

A true artist, Armen is passionate about how film and photography help him frame the present moments, and how web development and the internet continue to shape the future of our world. When he’s not working, you can find him exploring the beauty of Arizona and documenting his adventures!

David is a world traveler and a muscle car buff. He was also, at one time, the highest money winner on the game show, Jeopardy.

And Our Amazing Mentors

Our team would not be complete without them.

Our amazing mentors are the people we most admire and hold dear to our hearts—family members, friends, business smarty pants, super smart coaches, creative geniuses, and also personal development teachers who are known for lifting and inspiring others to truly live better lives.

Oh, and they also include some who have gone on to another realm. Yes, we believe that they can and do help when asked. And we do ask! 🙂

Their names and contributions could fill an entire book, so for now we just want to sincerely acknowledge them with a heartfelt “THANK YOU” for being an integral part of our life missions, success, challenges and joy. They are all amazing beings who we are deeply grateful for.