Our Story

• Lynne Viera

  Rival / how2heroes

  CEO / Kitchen Gadget Addict

  Favorite Rivals:

  Rhoda vs. Phyllis

  While Lynne doesn’t necessarily want you to do the math, she’s been a creative force in the digital marketing world since pretty much its inception. Lynne started Rival in 2004 after years working as a creative director and copywriter at a number of agencies including Wunderman Cato Johnson, Think New Ideas, BaseSix and Digitas on accounts ranging from American Express to LL Bean, HBO, FedEx, AT&T, National Geographic Channel and many more. Lynne wanted to run a small agency with big ideas in a nimble, creative environment where people worked hard but had a life outside of the office that would inspire new ideas inside the office.

  Lynne’s second company, how2heroes, was established in 2007 after Lynne saw a need for a site that celebrated food and its heroes and showed, step by step, through high quality video, how to succeed in the kitchen. Lynne’s expertise in the online space and her passion for food which she inherited from everyone’s favorite hero, Bea Viera, inspired her to become a serial entrepreneur.

  Today the expertise of both Rival and how2heroes marry perfectly and enable us to offer a unique range of services to clients no other agency can offer – Digital Agency, Original Content Producer (videos and recipe) & Media Channel.

  Lynne is a bit of a ham and has done countless cooking videos on how2heroes. Take a look. 

  
• Amber Wilkins

  Rival

  Sr. Art Director / Shoe Aficionado

  Favorite Rivals:

  Blondes vs. Brunettes

  Amber is responsible for leading the creative team and partnering with the Creative Director on design solutions for clients. Amber’s great glass-half-full attitude and enthusiasm are infectious and create a level of energy in the office we all look forward to feeding off of every day, particularly when our own glass may be feeling half empty. Amber has worked on site designs, digital advertising and brand identity for Safeway, Webroot, how2heroes and Boston Youth Moves.

  Previous to Rival, Amber worked on Samuel Adams, Twisted Tea, Club Corp and the Deutsche Bank Championships. Amber holds a B.A. in interactive design with a minor in advertising from Endicott College. Amber marries her passion for design with a love of cooking which makes her uniquely qualified as a Rival digital food expert. Watch her make a recipe she learned from her mom — elegant Cream Puff Swans.

  
• Jeff Fritts

  Rival

  Project Manager / Peristerophobe

  Favorite Rivals:

  Cheers vs. Gary's Olde Towne Tavern

  Jeff is a Producer with Rival, and partners with the CEO/Creative Director to help drive strategic direction of projects and ensure they are completed on time and on budget. Jeff is also the liaison between the creative and technology team and the client. He ensures that goals are established and met, and that complex jobs are executed with easy and organization. Jeff has taken the reigns for Rival’s work with Safeway, Webroot, Boston Youth Moves and our own website redesign which was and continues to be, as we like to say, EPIC.

  Jeff has been with the Rival team since early 2011, after spending 7 years as an Account Manager and Broadcast Producer with various agencies in San Francisco. There he helped build and implement marketing programs for some of the world’s biggest brands, including Charter Communication, Guthy-Renker, VMware and Wells Fargo. He studied at the University of Massachusetts where he received a degree in Communication with a concentration in advertising and film. 

  In addition to his ace project management skills, Jeff has a creative soul and an editorial eye, which makes him such a perfect fit with Rival. Jeff is a man of simple needs and could easily survive on pickles and beer. 

  
• Renata Duros

  Rival

  Designer / Dairy Queen

  Favorite Rivals:

  Ben & Jerry's vs. my waistline

  Renata is an incredibly dedicated designer and brings her incredible eye for detail and unique design sensibility to every project she works on. Her experience has made Renata an invaluable asset for helping to keep complex jobs organized and on track, and she’s willing to tackle any project thrown her way, big or small. In fact, Renata has worked on every piece of business that has come through our doors – with a smile and a can-do attitude.

  She joined Rival after completing the graphic design program at Suffolk University's New England School of Art and Design. While at NESAD, Renata completed a marketing internship with the Museum of Science, Boston, where she designed and produced a variety of informational materials promoting their programs and exhibitions. As a designer she loves working with typography and combining traditional and digital media. 

  Before moving to the United States from Lithuania in 2005, she worked for Rokiskio Suris, the largest dairy company in the Baltic States, where she discovered her love for cooking and new recipes. Renata makes a heavenly Farmers Cheese. Watch and learn how to make it.

  
• Carla Rogers

  Rival

  Art Director / Venezuelan Cooking Queen

  Favorite Rivals:

  Jon Stewart vs. Stephen Colbert

  Carla has been delivering creative genius to her work at Rival for over 4 years. Carla is gifted in digital media as well as brand identity and print. At Rival, she has driven creative ideas for many client engagements for Sperry Top-Sider, Boston Youth Moves, how2heroes, Humanscale, Safeway, Webroot, Tex Mex Eats and DePuy ScoliScore, a johnson and johnson company. 

  Previous to Rival, Carla worked at T.J. Maxx where she designed and executed in-store signage, direct mail, print ads and internal communications. She managed all aspects of location and studio photo shoots including concept development and design. She also directed hair, makeup and wardrobe stylists during creative execution, coordinated production specs and supervised press checks to maintain the highest quality reproduction. 

  Previous to T.J. Maxx, Carla worked at Valassis 1 to 1 Solutions for clients like Stride Rite, Stop & Shop and Ikea. There she developed and designed targeted B2C and B2B communications across print and web channels to support acquisition, upgrade and retention programs. She oversaw all aspects of project development, from concept through disk release, art direction and press runs. 

  Carla graduated from the New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University and her first job out of college was at digital agency BaseSix when Rival CEO Lynne Viera was the Creative Director there. They have been fast friends and creative collaborators ever since.

  Carla is originally from Venezuela and is a fantastic cook. Watch her make Arepas with her mom.

  
• Andrew Zubatkin

  how2heroes

  Sr. Videographer / Zombie Hunter

  Favorite Rivals:

  Mac vs. PC Users

  Andrew is a veteran here and has at this point filmed and edited thousands of videos. That’s right. Thousands. And Andrew is also a roll-up-your-sleeves kind of guy who’ll do anything from schlep gear and ingredients to the Farmers’ Markets to put together an IKEA desk.

  Andrew has been working in the broadcast/video industry since 2005, first with Worcester Community Cable Access Channel 13. He directed two shows at the same time during his time at Worcester State College, from which he graduated with a degree in Communications, specializing in TV/Video/Film. From there he moved on to floor directing at WCVB-TV Channel 5 News and assisted with the Video Department of TRACS, Inc. Andrew started out with us as a meat and potatoes guy but he now whips up gourmet meals on a regular basis like Duck Confit Sugo!

  
• Dave Anastasi

  Rival

  Sr. Developer / Closet Mixologist

  Favorite Rivals:

  Fast Eddie vs. Minnesota Fats

  In addition to building smart, scaleable websites for our clients, Dave serves as the architect and lead developer for the Rival site and how2heroes. Dave has a can-do attitude and we are so thankful to have someone who fuels our creativity with technical solutions. It empowers us to stretch our creativity for clients.

  Before joining Rival, Dave was a web developer working in the higher education sector in Boston, where he honed a diverse skill-set, including web programming, database design, systems administration and graphic design.

  He fills his life outside of work with creative energy as well, both as a musician in the Boston area and a fine art photographer. Dave also makes some mean cocktails. Learn how to make his Cucumber Mint Gimlet.

  
• Carolyn Waldron-Parr

  how2heroes

  Producer / Chief Shenanigans Officer

  Favorite Rivals:

  Police Chief Martin Brody vs. The Open Water

  Carolyn started with the company as a freelance video editor a couple times a week, but quickly began to play a larger role by accompanying the crew on shoots as well as pitching in at editorial meetings. She is now the Producer and is involved in every step of the video process from developing the editorial calendar to coordinating with talent (recipes, “swap outs”, scheduling), shooting, editing — the works! She enjoys the challenges of producing shoots from their beginning stages right through completion — this gives her a great sense of versatility and accomplishment.

  She graduated from Clark University where she earned a BA in Screen Studies & English Literature.

  Carolyn grew up in New Hampshire and her Dad still lives there and is an avid hunter. Watch Carolyn make Venison Stroganoff with some of his game goodies. 

  
• Frankie Nash

  Rival

  Design Intern / Skateboarding Wizard

  Favorite Rivals:

  East Coast vs. West Coast

  Frankie joined Rival after graduating from the Massachusetts College of Art with a stellar portfolio that made us say, “When can you start?” At Rival, he has demonstrated great versatility by working on a wide range of client projects for Safeway, how2heroes and Tex Mex Eats.

  Before joining Rival, Frankie completed design projects for the Boston Phoenix and Fidelity Investments while in school at Mass Art. After graduating, Frankie worked as a freelance designer while dedicating his free time to skateboarding (he's sponsored by Habitat Skateboards, and we’re hoping his broken thumb will be back to its old self very soon). Frankie has also worked for Wolfgang Puck Catering and now is able to put some of that food expertise to work in his design work. Watch Frankie tear it up on his skateboard. 

  
• Jason Bacon

  how2heroes

  Director of Photography / Chancellor of Bacon & Good Fortune

  Favorite Rivals:

  Red Sox vs. Yankees
  
• Kate Kelly

  how2heroes

  Photographer / Viceroy of Vegemite

  Favorite Rivals:

  Australia vs. New Zealand

  Kate is our staff photographer and resident Aussie. She accompanies the crew on every shoot, and is responsible for many of the beautiful shots you’ll find on this site and how2heroes.com. She’s shot approximately 10,000 photographs for how2heroes alone, and art directed shoots with the likes of celebrity chef Jody Adams.

  She graduated from Northeastern University in 2009 with a degree in Communications with a concentration in Media Studies. From there she attended the New England School of Photography where she graduated in May 2011 with portfolio honors in Advertising and Architecture. She has recently been published in Boston Magazine and Boston Globe Magazine.

  Kate showed us how to make an authentic Aussie Meat Pie. Even though Kate talks funny, we still love her. 

  
• Scott Shelley

  Rival

  CFO / Aspiring Average Golfer

  Favorite Rivals:

  Debits vs. Credits

  Scott has been with Rival since 2008 and we thank our lucky stars that we have a left-brainer in the office to keep our finances straight. In addition to his accounting and finance responsibilities, Scott provides his management and strategic advice to the leadership team. Previous to Rival, Scott worked for 7 years as an auditor with PWC in Boston.  During his time there he worked with regulated investment companies and asset managers to audit financial statements and test financial controls.

  Scott earned his undergraduate degree at Babson College where he studied accounting and his MBA with a concentration in corporate finance at Boston College.  He is a Certified Public Accountant in Massachusetts and has an adorable little “mini me” at home named Brayden.

  
• Kelsey Clark

  how2heroes

  Sr. Editor / Seattle's Best

  Favorite Rivals:

  Catholic Whiskey vs. Protestant Whiskey

  In her role as Senior Editor, Kelsey is responsible for driving editorial strategy and calendar for how2heroes and for ensuring all the videos and recipes are accurate and approachable for our home cook viewers.

  Kelsey worked on celebrity chef Ming Tsai’s Emmy Nominated tv show “Simply Ming” for seven production seasons, and worked on hundreds of how2heroes’ shoots as Producer before moving into her Senior Editor position.

  Kelsey holds a degree from Johnson & Wales in Culinary Arts & Foodservice Management w/ a concentration in Wine Studies. Kelsey is passionate about travel and participated in an international exchange program at a cooking school in Paris and a wine certificate program in Koblenz, Germany. She is an avid runner and Bikram yogi, and most recently ran her first full marathon on The Great Wall of China. When she is not cooking, running or doing yoga, she hangs with her ewok-look-alike Bichon Frise, Gingersnap (aka “the noodle”). Watch Kelsey’s many cooking and cocktail videos on how2heroes. 

  
• Khalilah Ramdene

  how2heroes

  Editorial Assistant / Yoga Aficionado

  Favorite Rivals:

  Sugar vs. Spice

  Khalilah joined how2heroes as an editorial intern in 2011 and now serves as the Editorial Assistant, writing delicious copy and ensuring recipes are proofed and correct. She is an amazing photographer as well and contributes her skills when we need an extra hand.

  Her experience in food media ranges from internships with Slow Food USA and Bon Appétit Magazine to Ming Tsai’s Emmy Award Winning PBS tv show “Simply Ming”. She is completing her graduate studies in Gastronomy at Boston University where she explores the intersections between food, art and culture.

  Khalilah was a good sport when she joined the company and agreed to participate in our annual Halloween video. Watch her make Frozen Frankenstones.

  
• Brendan MacDermott

  Rival

  Director of New Business / Creator of Virtual "Flash Mobs"

  Favorite Rivals:

  Whigs vs. The Tories

  Brendan spearheads new business initiatives for Rival. His down-to-earth, dynamic personality and entrepreneurial spirit fits in perfectly with the Rival culture and team dynamic. And his expertise in the food and hospitality industry working enabled him to hit the ground running spreading the good word of our digital food expertise. Brendan enjoys the process of developing relationships, creating campaign ideas and delivering excellent customer service. His goals for Rival Marketing are to maintain the loyal base of clients while adding to the agency roster in the food, hospitality, and lifestyle markets.

  Previous to Rival, Brendan worked for New England Cable News (the largest regional news network in the US) where he worked on TV Diner with Billy Costa, a restaurant review/lifestyle program.

  His media experience has grown quickly in the past 5 years, beginning with radio at ESPN, moving to cable TV, and most recently succeeding to a broadcast Television role at FOX 25, Boston.  As technology has evolved so has Brendan, developing a passion for new media resulted in his emergence at Rival.

  Brendan has worked with hundreds of chefs and restaurants throughout New England. He developed and created many campaigns, sponsorships and events.  His client list on a national level includes Beam Global, Constellation Wines, Lux Co., Sapporo USA and E.J. Gallo.

  Brendan is making a great transition to agency life and has ditched the suit but kept the tie.