Joe Skibbie
Arlington Heights Marketing Team
Joe has been helping businesses “#BeSeen” and “#BeHeard” for close to 20 years. A traditionalist who cut his teeth in the Financial Services Industry, Joe believes more business gets done with the shake of a hand than the click of a mouse. Joe understands the rapidly shifting Communications environment and brings his experience as a Small Business Advocate and Entrepreneur to his clients.
Joe has a grounding in traditional communications, yet understands how integrating digital marketing strategy can expand a campaign’s reach. Joe’s passion is helping his clients grow, Joe is anxious to help you #BeSeen and #BeHeard.
Jara Kern
Arlington Heights Marketing Team
Jara Kern brings more than a decade of strategic marketing expertise and a wellspring of creativity to telling your business's story and helping your content win over your customers. With an MBA from University of Wisconsin-Madison and an undergraduate degree in classical music performance from Oberlin Conservatory, Jara balances highly analytical and deeply creative sides.
Prior to working with JRS Mar/Com, she held leadership positions in marketing at Roosevelt University, the Chicago Humanities Festival, and the Madison Symphony Orchestra.
Carmen Malec
Project Manager
With a degree in Marketing and extensive Supply Chain Management experience, Carmen is living the best of both worlds as a Project Manager at JRS Marketing Communications. “It’s not unusual for one to pursue a career different than their degree, it’s actually fairly common. Having worked in Supply Chain for over 10 years in specific industries, I haven’t really crossed paths with much of the marketing initiatives. At JRS Marketing Communications, being able to combine the organizational and structural aspects with the creative side of things has been immensely gratifying.
Always up for a challenge both personally and professionally, I am born and raised in Romania, have lived in the US for about 15 years and currently residing in sunny Valencia, Spain. I enjoy spending time with my children, being outdoorsy, reading a good book or watching a documentary.”
Beth Firsching
Arlington Heights Marketing Team
Beth Firsching is a marketing and brand management specialist with extensive experience in marketing strategy, graphic design, and web design/development. She is skilled in advertising, print, graphic layout, copy writing and editing, and social media. Her expertise includes both business-to-business and consumer brands. Beth is currently a social strategy specialist with JRS Marketing Communications, as well as the owner and creative director at Beth Firsching Design. She was responsible for marketing development at IMAC Corporation before founding Beth Firsching Design in 2010. Beth graduated from Bradley University with a degree in Communications/Advertising and Business.
Outside of work, Beth enjoys focusing on her family, dabbling in photography, and being involved at church.
Sarah Strobel
Creative Director/Editor
Sarah has experience in a variety of aspects of digital marketing, including social media, website development, content writing, and search engine optimization. Her role at JRS Mar/Com allows her the ability to use and improve her knowledge in several of these areas. Her previous professional endeavors provided her with the opportunity to complete online marketing projects for business owners as far as Canada. “I have always been passionate about helping others - and that’s one reason why I pursued marketing professionally. I enjoy meeting a variety of people and seeing how far I can have an impact geographically.”
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys finding other ways to help others and continuing to express her creativity in different ways such as through crafting and photography.
Our Team
Community Minded, Community Vested
Joe and his team of Arlington Heights Marketing Professionals believe in giving back to the community. To that end, involvement in a number of civic, philanthropic and business groups keeps JRS Marketing Communications connected to Arlington Heights and the surrounding communities.
Joe shares his leadership skills in marketing, project management and fundraising with the following groups. Making sure there is no trouble spreading the news and ensuring their programs achieve the goals set forth by their leadership. #BeSeen and #BeHeard.
I worked with JRS Mar/Com to completely reformat, and relaunch my business' online profile, Clementi's Pizzeria & Bar. I then contracted with Joe to maintain and grow my customer base through the northwest suburbs, Arlington Heights, Social Media & the Web platform he built. Through several one on one personal meetings Joe saw my vision for the business and enabled me to communicate that idea more effectively and efficiently. Through his efforts, on facebook, twitter, email, google places, our sales promotions consistently resulted in a more predictable and larger customer sales pool. Above all Joe was honest, fair, and forthcoming. We will gladly do business with JRS Mar/Com in the future.
I've been coming to Joe for over 3 years for materials for my law firm. He's prompt, efficient and cost effective. He's someone I trust and will also turn to for advice in the marketing space.
Met with Joe today. He has amazing knowledge about how to design attractive informative websites. His passion is contagious. I look forward to working together often.
Been working with JRS for almost a year now. They are very creative, responsive and have handled everything from our social media to SEO for our website. I am very happy with the results.
Over the course of the last decade I have worked with Joe Skibbie of JRS Mar/Com on a number of projects. Ranging from concept development through program execution, Joe has demonstrated advanced knowledge across a wide range of marketing disciplines. Joe's understanding of the challenges small and mid size businesses face allow each project to be approached with unique perspective. I would recommend JRS Mar/Com for marketing projects in both traditional and digital media.
I have worked with JRS Mar/Com for several years and have always found Joe to be professional with a strong work ethic. His pleasant personality and immersion in the subject matter he is working on shows in the quality of that work. From proposal to finished product, every effort is made to insure your ideas take shape. Whatever the project, Joe will go the distance and beyond.
I have used JRS Mar/Com since February 2017. I have been very impressed with their attention to detail and the results I have gotten have been above my expectations. I would recommend Joe to anyone who asks. Mark, owner Play it Again Sports Palatine,illinois
Joe and JRS Mar/Com have helped grow our online presence rapidly! The team responds to my concerns quickly and are helpful in explaining the SEO data in layman's terms. I recommend JRS Mac/Com to anyone looking to grow their business.
JRS Mar/Com did two websites for me and the client experience was better than anyone I have used for any type of social media. They are responsive, accurate and understanding of the process. I have no hesitation recommending JRS and Joe Skibbie for anything social.
We had our web site updated by Joe at JRS and I find Joe to be very knowledgeable regarding how to market. He does so much more than just designing web sites. Most of the time I don't have the time to spend on marketing so I find him pushing me to think about marketing. I need that as well as needing Joe at JRS Mar/Com
I would 100% recommend JRS. The promptness, creativity, and thought sharing has made and continues to make my experience with JRS something that is very important to my business.
JRS/Mar/Com has been a tremendous ally as I increase the exposure of my business to my footprint. I am in the tennis biz and needed an upgrade on my website and guidance for greater exposure. Joe and his team have been great teammates as I move forward. Denny Schackter The Tennis Priorities Company
JRS is a great company to work with. They've helped us improve our presence on social media, through email and online. They are great to work with and are always professional and complete work in a timely fashion. Highly recommend Joe and his team!
JRS has helped us tremendously with our online marketing. I met with Joe, talked about my goals and was presented with recommendations. Everything was presented clearly and well explained. We have had great results with JRS Mar/Com's work. Would definitely recommend them!
A great company with an excellent team that gets the job done
Been working with JRS for almost a year now. They are very creative, responsive and have handled everything from our social media to SEO for our website. I am very happy with the results.
I've been coming to Joe for over 3 years for materials for my law firm. He's prompt, efficient and cost effective. He's someone I trust and will also turn to for advice in the marketing space.
I have worked with JRS Mar/Com for several years and have always found Joe to be professional with a strong work ethic. His pleasant personality and immersion in the subject matter he is working on shows in the quality of that work. From proposal to finished product, every effort is made to insure your ideas take shape. Whatever the project, Joe will go the distance and beyond.
