Who We Are: Key Members

Since 1971, Ventura Associates has been a leading promotion and marketing agency. Our key members come from impressive backgrounds and experiences.

MARLA ALTBERG, President

In her role as President, Marla steers Ventura’s growth while establishing the direction and tone for the company's overall business practices and ethics. She also continues to directly handle a number of key accounts such as Time Inc., TV Guide, Citibank, Colgate, WNET, American Express, American Dairy Association, SaksFifthAvenue.com and Microsoft. Additionally, Marla spearheads Ventura's new product development team, creating such exciting promotional opportunities as the Super Million Dollar Co-op. Marla has been with Ventura for over twenty-one years, rejoining the company after a year with Doyle Dane Bernbach. There she developed sales promotion programs for such clients as American Greetings, Polaroid, Borden, Hershey, and Mobil.

LISA MANHART, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Lisa has planned, developed, and managed promotional programs for many Ventura clients, including Tommy Hilfiger, New York City Off-Track Betting, the New York State Lottery, MasterFoods, Consumers Union, ABC Cable Networks Group, Bonanza Restaurants, Blimpie, Panasonic, Office Depot, Nabisco, Chase Manhattan, and Mark Burnett Productions.
Lisa began her career as an assistant marketing manager at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, where she initiated and supervised direct mail advertising campaigns. She later served as Assistant Product Manager for Chesebrough-Ponds, Inc., and then as Associate Product manager for Clairol, Inc. Lisa received a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College and an MBA from Columbia University. While a student, she served as a marketing trainee for Colgate-Palmolive Company.

AL WESTER, Sr. Vice President,General Manager

Since starting with Ventura in 1984, Al has worked in some capacity on the majority of Ventura's promotions, first as an account coordinator, then as VP/Director of Operations. As Ventura's GM, he is responsible for the day-to-day management of the agency, and continues to help plan and organize the operational issues inherent in sweepstakes, games and contests. Al is also a pivotal player in our more technically-oriented programs, leading staff and clients through the constantly-changing technology for more effective handling of their respective programs, and the use of emerging promotional applications in both traditional and new media.
In addition to being General Manager, Al also serves as Ventura's principal contact with the Direct Marketing Association and the Promotion Marketing Association on such issues as governmental and legal affairs, marketing and technology, consumer privacy and online children's marketing, and other general sweepstakes matters.

ORLANDO SANTIAGO, Sr. Vice President, Account Director

Orlando came to Ventura Associates after attending the New York Institute of Technology and working in the apparel industry. He joined the company in 1986. Over the years, he has worked with Ventura's President on programs, both off- and online, for clients such as American Express, American Express Publishing, Citicorp, Fleet, Sports Illustrated, People, Island Def Jam, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft Corporation, White Castle Industries, Goya, Olive Oils From Spain, Jimmy Dean Foods, Emap-USA, Time Inc. Magazines, Hyundai Motor America and PC World.
Orlando is also very involved with monitoring the legal landscape for prize promotions, and with keeping our clients up to date on the latest legislative activity and compliance issues.

RENÉE AZOULAY, Vice President, Strategic Planning & Promotions

Renée Azoulay is renowned as a marketing and promotional consultant to leading companies. Her forte is in relationship building, where her keen sense of practicality, coupled with a diplomat’s approach enable her to navigate complex interactions. She spearheads Ventura’s efforts in the government sector doing substantial work with the U.S. Postal Service, an account that demands strong interpersonal and troubleshooting skills. In addition, Renée used her research background and disciplined bottom-line origination to develop and manage promotion initiatives for many Ventura clients including Revlon, CME Research, Samsung and others. Renée comes to Ventura with a ten year marketing and research background. At Bristol Squibb, she was part of multiple marketing teams for leading OTC brands including Excedrin, Bufferin, Nuprin and Comtrex. Prior to that, Renée worked at BBDO for three years on the DuPont and Scott Paper accounts and new business for BBDO (direct marketing). Renée holds a B.S. from Cornell University.

CHARMAINE SPADAVECCHIA, Account Supervisor, Tie-in Promotions Director

Charmaine joined Ventura in 1991, bringing with her over 9 years of experience in marketing and sales promotions. While at TRG Communications, she maintained primary responsibility for successfully managing and servicing accounts such as Waldenbooks, Footlocker, Atari, and Sheraton Corporation, as well as the American Express “Give Your Career A Charge” college student sweepstakes which ran for six consecutive years. At Grey Advertising's promotions division, she was involved with management of sweepstakes and premiums for clients including TCBY, Hewlett Packard, Olive Garden Restaurant & Chemical Bank. Charmaine’s experience in the promotions business is diverse, and some of her clients include Victoria’s Secret, Beneficial Management/HFC, AIG, Big Lots, Helzberg Diamonds, Golf Digest, Northwest Express, and Simon & Schuster.
Charmaine graduated from New York University's Direct Marketing program, and is knowledgeable in both Spanish and Italian languages. She has a strong sense of commitment to her clients and to the task at hand.

NIGEL MORGAN, Chief Financial Officer

Nigel, a Chartered Accountant, has been with Ventura for over twenty-one years. His responsibilities include cash management, receivables, insurance and employee benefits, and the reporting and documentation of all Ventura client expenses. Before joining Ventura, Nigel worked in financial positions at Advertising to Women (Advertising), Roberts Hawaii Tours (Travel), Electric Lady Studios (Entertainment), and Ernst & Young (Public Accounting), all of which have proven helpful in various facets of Ventura's promotions and dealing with outside accountants.