Sam's Chowder House
Annual Photo Contest

Marc Hershon, Owner of Simmer Branding Studio

As a branding expert who dreams up trademarks for countless hit products, Marc has helped to bring such household names as BlackBerry, Dasani, Swiffer and nüvi to the world. He is also the co-author of I Hate People!, the hit business book with attitude from Little, Brown & Co. His creativity extends to the television screen, where he's written three movies for the Hallmark Channel. Marc's also a veteran of the West Coast comedy scene, writing for years with SNL veteran Dana Carvey, and currently running the FRISCO improvisational comedy curriculum for the San Francisco Comedy College. Locally, he's known as the editorial cartoonist (or "phodoodlist") for the Half Moon Bay Review.

Allen Olivo, nationally-known marketing leader

Throughout his career, Allen has guided worldwide brand strategy, advertising, marketing communications and corporate communications for high-visibility companies. Most recently a member of Yahoo!'s executive management team, Allen led all aspects of Yahoo!'s advertising and brand marketing strategy worldwide. At Apple Computer, he was one of the architects of the famous "Think Different" campaign and also led the global launch and integration of the highly acclaimed iMac campaign. He has served as vice president of corporate marketing for Amazon.com and executive director of marketing communications for Pacific Telesis and Pacific Bell. Honored for his work in the industry, he has won awards such as the Nielsen Business Media Achievement Award, Gold Lions, Effie's, Clio's, Andy's, Cable Car and Belding awards.

Tara Earley, President and Partner, Earley & Earley Inc.

As President of the highly creative Earley & Earley, Inc. marketing communications firm in partnership with her husband Stephen, Tara helps deliver customized, integrated solutions for clients. Working with National Fortune 500 companies, local Coastside businesses and non-profit organizations, she helps guide clients to success with brand identity, communications management, graphic design solutions and more. The agency's diverse client base includes J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, the National Pork Board, Moet Hennessy, Monterey County Vintner's & Growers' Assoc., Alaska Seafood & Marketing Institute and more. Tara's extensive background includes a career as Account Supervisor for Flair Communications, Director of Promotions at Heublein, Inc., and Director of Promotions at Diageo. She is also a Board member of the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau and Ocean Colony Association.

Robin McKnight, Director of Regional Sales for Lucky Magazine

As Director of Regional Sales for Lucky Magazine, the publication that is all about shopping and style, Robin is a leader in selling, merchandising, and promoting premium brands. She leverages sophisticated research tools and marketing initiatives to create integrated programs that connect advertisers with influential readers. Her innovative solutions and strong client relationships have kept her a leader in her field.

Debra Godshall, Publisher of the Half Moon Bay Review

Publisher of the Half Moon Bay Review since 1995, Debra oversees the business of running an award-winning community newspaper serving the entire San Mateo County Coastside. Besides the newspaper, she also oversees the monthly Review Magazine as well as a breaking-news website. As publisher, Debra has overall responsibility for all the newspaper departments - news, sales and circulation. Debra is also a board member of the California Newspaper Publishers Association, which, since 1888, has been protecting the interests of newspapers throughout the state, from the smallest weekly to the largest metropolitan daily.

Paul Shenkman, Co-owner Sam's Chowder House

Now an award-winning culinary entrepreneur, Paul began his career in women's fashion where he grew from a small chain of retail stores to one of the largest sales firms in the nation. He then ventured into the restaurant business with the renovation of the Jockey Club in Atlantic City, transforming it into a popular 40s-style nightclub. In New York, he co-owned his first restaurant, P.S. Monroe, with Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, the legendary basketball Hall of Fame star. After moving to the Bay Area and opening up several other Coastside restaurants, he created Sam's Chowder House. Sam's grew out of his best memories growing up on the shores of the eastern seaboard, and in less than two years, has been featured on NBC's The Today Show, Best of the Bay TV, and earned Top three "Best Outdoor Dining" restaurants from San Francisco Magazine.

Julie Shenkman, Co-owner Sam's Chowder House, and Head of Marketing

Julie began her marketing career in technology, directing marketing efforts for large corporations as well as early stage internet start-ups. She learned from great visionaries and marketers such as Steve Jobs during her six years at NeXT Computer and Halsey Minor while at CNET. While she was Vice President of Marketing at internet start-up Snap.com (later known as NBC Internet), the company became the first internet company to receive an Emmy for its award-winning TV commercial. As a confessed long-time "foodie", Julie decided eight years ago to apply her extensive marketing experience to create high impact marketing programs for restaurants. Now leading Sam's Chowder House marketing efforts, she directs PR, web, online, and email marketing, in-restaurant merchandising, advertising and promotional events.