Meet Rachel Gehrs

At Digital Yalo, the thoughtful and intentional work injected into our design work is a direct result of Rachel’s leadership. As Yalo’s VP, Creative Director, Rachel blends sharp strategic thinking with a deeply human approach to creativity, one rooted in curiosity, culture, and care for the people behind the work.

Leading Creativity, Day In and Day Out

In her role, Rachel oversees Yalo’s creative vision, guiding brand systems, visual identities, and campaign concepts from idea to execution. Day-to-day, that means collaborating closely with designers, strategists, and account teams to connect business goals to creative expression and make sure the work not only looks beautiful, but means something.

Work Inspired by Real-Life Design

One standout project Rachel loved working on was GenCap’s brand identity. Inspired by high-fashion influences (specifically Victoria Beckham’s ready-to-wear collections), the project was designed for an audience of affluent women, with a refined color palette and confident, modern sensibility. It’s a perfect example of how Rachel translates inspiration into strategy, creating work that’s aspirational yet grounded.

Creativity Rooted in Culture

Rachel’s creative philosophy is deeply shaped by her surroundings. Cleveland’s vibrant cultural scene with world-class museums and theater to major sports teams and incredible dining feeds her curiosity. A recent visit to the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Renaissance to Runway exhibition left a lasting impression, showcasing how centuries-old art can spark modern couture. That same idea, honoring the past while designing for what’s next, runs through Yalo’s work and values.

What the Team Knows Her For

Ask around, and you’ll hear a consistent theme: Rachel is a leader who trusts her team. She empowers people to do their best work without asking them to sacrifice what matters outside the office. She’s approachable, supportive, and relentless in advocating for her team, which is a rare quality. She’s someone who listens first and works hard to remove obstacles so creativity can thrive.

Life Beyond the Office

Outside of work, Rachel is all about family, fresh air, and staying active. Summers are spent outdoors with activities like gardening, playing catch, and tending to the family’s pandemic-era chicken project. She’s also often found at sporting events with her family, soaking in the energy of the city she loves.

She also just got a puppy, Arnie, named after Arnold Schwarzenegger. No joke. Rachel admires his ability to stay positive, reinvent himself, and accomplish wildly different things over a lifetime (she highly recommends the Netflix documentary!). It’s a mindset she carries into her own life and leadership.

Why Rachel’s Leadership Matters

At Yalo, creativity isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about intention, trust, and impact. Rachel Gehrs embodies that belief every day, leading with vision, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to both the work and the people behind it.

By Brittany Lavy

Meet Melissa Ito: The 24/7 Creative

Digital Yalo hasn’t been the same since Associate Creative Director Melissa Ito joined our agency. She’s a creative powerhouse. When Melissa isn’t being creative at work or being a rockstar mom of 2, she can be found crafting landscapes and ecosystems within games such as Animal Crossing and Minecraft. She simply can not go a day without creating. 

An Invaluable Asset

Melissa is an expert at bringing creative concepts to life through digital media. She manages design workshops with clients, brainstorms UI concepts for projects, executes cohesive visuals across multiple channels and offers her wisdom and talents to anyone and everyone who needs her. 

Melissa has not only become a fundamental part of our team but an extremely valuable asset to our process. She has brought new practices to our agency that have helped our team and clients surpass their goals and expectations. 

Melissa’s Influence to Those Around Her 

One of Yalo’s values is to Amp it Up to 11, meaning we are always working to improve and deliver the absolute best work to our clients. Melissa embodies this approach fully. One phrase she uses that always rings true to me is “I think we can explore this more.” 

Melissa is constantly exploring ideas and concepts. When she’s not pushing boundaries herself, then she’s pushing her teammates to keep designing outside of the box. You think you’re done designing this section of the website? You’re not, keep exploring. This mindset has helped us push even further by throwing out the old and keep tip tapping away to a more impactful design. 

Melissa’s impact on our team is undeniable. Her dedication to exceptional UI solutions, combined with her boundless creativity, has elevated our work and strengthened our entire department. As a vital force within and beyond the UX/UI team, she continues to push boundaries, inspire innovation, and drive our success forward.

There’s a moment in music history that changed everything. When Bob Dylan plugged in his electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, it was a declaration: the world was evolving, and music had to evolve with it. The purists scoffed, but Dylan saw the electric guitar not as a replacement for folk music but as a way to amplify its impact. The result? A new era of sound that pushed the boundaries of what was possible.

At Yalo, we see AI the same way. It’s not here to replace creativity, it’s here to amplify it. That’s why we’ve spent the last year developing AMPLIFI, our proprietary process for integrating AI into every facet of our agency. Much like the artists who shaped rock & roll, we’re not just adopting new tools; we’re shaping the future of how they’re used. And just like rock music didn’t kill live performances—it made them bigger, bolder, and more electrifying—AMPLIFI isn’t replacing our talent. It’s giving them the means to amp it up to 11!

Training the Band, Not Just Adding New Instruments

The greatest bands didn’t just pick up new instruments and hope for the best. They learned how to master them. The Beatles didn’t stumble into pioneering studio techniques; they experimented, innovated, and learned. That’s exactly what we’ve done with AMPLIFI.

Instead of simply handing our team AI tools and saying, “Figure it out,” we made a bold investment: we created a structured training program to ensure that every single member of our tribe—whether in operations, media, or creative development—knows how to harness AI effectively. AMPLIFI isn’t just a piece of software or a new workflow. It’s a mindset shift. It’s our way of ensuring that AI doesn’t just exist in our agency, it enhances everything we do.

AI as an Amplification, Not the Replacement

There’s a difference between evolution and replacement. When synthesizers came onto the scene, they didn’t replace guitars—they expanded what was possible in music. AI is the synthesizer of the marketing world. It’s not here to write our stories, strategize our campaigns, or concept our creative. It’s here to help us create faster, sharper, and even more resourcefully. 

With AMPLIFI, we’re integrating AI into:

• Creative Development – Providing new ways to visualize, iterate, and innovate without losing the human touch that makes great creative work sing.
• Media Strategies – Enhancing data analysis, audience insights, and campaign efficiency to hit the right notes with precision.
• Operations – Automating the tedious so our people can focus on strategy, relationships, and big-picture thinking.

And that’s just to name a few. Hey, we can’t give away every ingredient in our secret sauce.

Every major shift in music—whether it was MTV changing how artists connected with fans or streaming services reshaping how music is distributed—has been met with resistance. But the artists who embraced these changes didn’t just survive; they thrived. AI is our industry’s next big shift, and at Yalo, we’re not just riding the wave, we’re playing lead guitar.

Why AMPLIFI Matters

We’re living in a time where many agencies are taking a wait-and-see approach to AI. They’re hesitant, uncertain, or even dismissive of its potential. That’s not how we operate. We believe in being ahead of the curve, setting the tempo, and ensuring our team has the knowledge and confidence to use AI to its fullest potential.

Because here’s the truth: AI in marketing isn’t a fad. It’s not going away. And just like rock & roll, it will keep evolving. The question is, who’s going to step up and own it? At Yalo, we’ve made our choice. We’re not just accepting AI—we’re amplifying it.

So plug in, turn up the volume, and get ready. The future isn’t waiting, and neither are we. This is AMPLIFI. And trust us, the show is just getting started.

Our souls are singing. Is yours? I’d love to chat with you about how Yalo can make AI work for your brand. 

Music engages most of our senses, but the strongest of them is feeling. (You thought we’d say hearing, right? Wrong!) That’s why we so often turn to music for inspiration when we want our clients to feel something, encouraging them all to pick “soul songs” from which to help drive branding ideas. People connect with music in a primal way. No one knows this better than Philadelphia-based musician and bon vivant Adam Weiner, aka Low Cut Connie.

Known for his high-energy live shows, Low Cut Connie has a stage presence that’s almost unmatched in today’s musical landscape. He personifies the Yalo tenet of “amping it up to 11” in almost every way, which made him a natural fit to partner with Yalo. For over ten years, Yalo and Low Cut Connie have shared a love of bringing music into everything they do, and have supported each other through branding and event opportunities. 

When it came time for Low Cut Connie’s summer residence at Ardmore Theater, we knew we had to jump in and tell the world about it, with a website that allowed for the kind of fan interaction that LCC was known for (in digital form, of course). Instead of just the ability to get information and purchase tickets, this site allowed fans to choose the song they wanted Low Cut Connie to cover at each of his shows, with a selection that changed every week. 

Since the audience was allowed to pick the songs, it resulted in some… interesting choices. Here’s the band performing “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid, much to Adam’s delight (warning: adult content throughout):

Says Adam: 

“I absolutely loved working with my Digital Yalo pals on my project, the Connie Club, this past summer. It was a complex idea with a lot of different media elements, and Josh, Arnold and the Yalo team had great collaborative ideas right from the start. They sculpted an interactive platform for me that brought me closer to my fans and was exciting for everyone involved. I always love working with these guys and hope to continue doing so in the future.” 

Music and branding will always go hand-in-hand, as people respond to music in a way that can help make brand work memorable. Marketers have known and used that information for… oh, since around the first television ad. 

At Yalo, we know that it can be used for more than just a background track. We encourage our Tribe and clients to find their own “Soul Song,” the song that hits the emotional core of you or your brand.

Want to learn more about how music can help your brand? Just ask! Want to jam out to Low Cut Connie? No asking needed. 

Meet Chris Dawson: Yalo’s Hot Dog Man and Tech Innovator

Welcome to Digital Yalo’s monthly employee spotlight. This space is held to shine a light on the talented thinkers and makers behind the scenes who make Digital Yalo the award-winning agency it is.

Our team boasts a diverse group of talented, smart, and dynamic professionals. And each spotlight will showcase and celebrate their unique contributions and impressive work.

So, without further ado, let’s meet this month’s star and discover the stories, skills, and obsessions that make Digital Yalo the hub of innovative thinking that it is.

Today, we’re excited to introduce Chris Dawson, a Senior Developer who’s been with Yalo for what feels like forever—and for good reason. Chris’s impact on the tribe and our clients is undeniable, and his expertise, leadership, and unique personality are key to his success.

Carrying Primrose to New Heights

Chris isn’t just a developer—he’s the driving force behind the success of the Primrose project, working closely with a contractor, Andrew, to turn the project around. Together, they optimized site speeds and tackled all other tasks necessary to bring Primrose to a great place. Thanks to their leadership and technical expertise, Primrose has become a strong success, with the client continuing to return for more. Chris’s problem-solving skills and ability to think outside the box have made him a standout figure within Yalo and with clients alike.

Mentorship and Leadership

Chris’s contributions go beyond code. As a mentor, he’s helped shape the next generation of developers at Yalo. Whether he’s guiding interns or supporting junior developers, Chris has a knack for making complex concepts simple while also pushing his team to grow and improve. His leadership isn’t just about teaching; it’s about empowering those around him to become better versions of themselves.

Beyond the Code: The Man, the Myth, the Hot Dog Enthusiast

Outside of work, Chris enjoys a mix of unique and entertaining interests. From baking and cooking to hitting the golf course or spending time at the range, Chris knows how to make the most of his time away from the computer. (He’s also known for asking the age-old question: Is a hot dog a sandwich? Feel free to debate that one with him!)

Living in North Carolina, Chris balances his love for tech with his love for the outdoors, which probably helps keep him sharp for the next big project.

Wrapping Up

Chris Dawson is more than just a Senior Developer at Yalo—he’s a mentor, a problem solver, and the backbone of many of our most successful projects. His leadership and innovative thinking keep Yalo at the cutting edge, and we’re lucky to have him on the team. Here’s to Chris and the amazing work he continues to do!

As the season of gratitude unfolds, we find ourselves pausing to reflect on the incredible journey this year. Thanksgiving is not just about turkey and trimmings; it’s a time to express our deepest appreciation for the wonderful connections we’ve made and the incredible moments we’ve experienced together.

The Yalo Tribe shares their Attitude of Gratitude –

From CEO Arnold Huffman:

To our Yalo Tribe, I am grateful for our team’s commitment to improvement. We have learned and excelled at improving our ability to deliver, getting more efficient and more effective with every move we make. The transformation we have come through this year is nothing short of amazing. We are so fortunate to have a Tribe that will adapt to achieve excellence. We continue to get better with every step forward and it is all due to the commitment of our Tribe to move Up and Right. You don’t get honored by the Inc5000 as one of the top 5000 fastest growing companies in the US by getting lucky. We have the best damn team in the biz…bar none.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Brian Eisenberg

I am thankful for 9.5 years of sobriety and for the love and support of my family and friends along the way. I am thankful for having the ability to appreciate the beauty of nature and the environment in which I live up in the mountains.  I am thankful for Starlink which allows me to make that all possible! For my health and wellness, for modern medicine, and the ability to always learn something new.

Brittany Lavy

I am thankful for a wonderful team I get to work with each day and an amazing boss who puts so much time into mentoring me to help me reach my professional goals. I am also very thankful for my partner who provides me with endless support and of course my fluffy kitty son who happens to be me entire world (right next to Taylor Swift who I am also tremendously grateful for). Lastly, I’m thankful for myself and pushing myself towards new opportunities to grow over the past few years.

Danielle Fitz-Randolph

I am thankful for my fiancé, my friends, and my family. I am thankful for all the amazing people that I work with. Lastly, I am thankful for music, travel, sports, and living close to the beach (my happy place).

Denise Brilliant

I am endlessly grateful for the joyous journey of working alongside cherished friends for the last 10 years. Together, we’ve turned ordinary moments into extraordinary memories, and my heart overflows with gratitude for the love and collaboration that has made it all possible.

Eric Cantini

I’m thankful that I get to work with a great group of very talented people. I’m thankful that my kids spend time with me, and I’m thankful that my wife still likes me. I’m thankful for football, dogs, hockey and baseball (in that order). And apple pie.

Jorge Garcell

I am thankful for my wife and kids, I am as well thankful for this country and the generosity that it has shown to me and I am also thankful for the great feeling of belonging to this tribe.

Juliet Tyma

I am grateful for my wonderful family, friends and my health this year along with my awesome Yalo work family! I have grown and learned so much this year, mainly from all the amazing people in my life.

Kate Castrovince

I am forever thankful for the Best Mom Ever, my best friend, and my kids’ favorite person! She unexpectedly passed away earlier this year and I’ve been trying to turn my indescribable pain and grief into gratitude … being thankful for every single thing about her because every single thing was amazingly beautiful and wonderful! There are really no words to describe her greatness! I am so incredibly grateful for my family and friends for being there for me through it all and still talk about Mom and show up when I need them. And, I can’t thank Yalo enough for letting me take time away with no questions asked. And for the people I work with … that stepped up without a second thought and no complaints even though I know they were so busy; and offered prayers, support, perspective, inspiring words, hugs and love. I will never forget the kindness I’ve been shown and will do my best to pass it on.

Kenny Wuerstlin

I’m thankful that I finally watched The Sopranos. I now finally understand the endless amount of internet memes that make use of scenes, characters and phrasings from the show. I mean, I feel like I understood the memes, but now I get the context of what was happening. For that I am thankful.

I am thankful for all my family and friends that have been incredibly supportive of my wife and I this year as we embark on parenthood. I am also looking forward to being delusional and “out of it” as if I were drunk but without all of the drinking, because I will not be sleeping.

I’m thankful for my wife and the incredible job she has done this year in preparing our future little one to enter the world. It truly is remarkable. I guess I am thankful she is doing this and not I. I don’t think I’m strong enough to do what she is doing, but am thankful she is.

Maggie Tyma

I am thankful for the loving and beautiful community of chosen family I have built. These people teach me every day the meaning of love, strength, patience, generosity, and hope.

Nancy Cramer

I’m thankful to have found my Tribe. I worked as a consultant for 7 years prior to joining Yalo. I didn’t realize how much I missed being part of a team until I started here.  Working with people I love, doing work that I love is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.  I never take this for granted and am grateful to be part of this Tribe!

I’m so thankful to both Arnold and Josh for giving me the opportunity.

Natalie Dutton

I’m thankful for the ability to create and connect with local artists! This year, I started a watercolor painting class – being around so many talented creatives is both encouraging & inspiring. I learn something new from them every class I go to and creating art alongside them reminds me to pause & appreciate the world around me.

“The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Sabrina Matthews

This year was a year of many changes for me. I finally found a workplace (Yalo) I feel I will stay with long term, and I was in search of this for a couple years now. Now I feel very content in my career and feel great about its trajectory. In my personal life, my children moved with their biological mom, after residing with Brandon and I for 4 years. This was a sad change in the beginning, but over the year, I found the positive side to this as well. This space allowed my kids and us to miss each other, and little did I know, kids are a lot nicer and more grateful when they don’t have access to you 24/7. Haha! It improved our relationships all around the table. It also allowed for my husband and I to spend time together a lot more now, we have had our kids since I met Brandon, so our early years was full of, child duties more so than dates and spending alone time. So I am very thankful we finally got the space to spend together and grow closer. I feel like everything aligned as it needed to, and hopefully soon we can add on to our family in the next year or so.

Savannah Kopp

I’m grateful for supportive co-workers who make work enjoyable, a passionate volleyball team that makes coaching a joy, and the love of my family, boyfriend, and my dog Rick.

Scott Efferson

I’m thankful for my beautiful, amazingly strong, and slightly spoiled daughter, Ellie, and for all the people, from parents and therapists to colleagues and friends, who have helped and made it easier for me to take care of her this past year. I’m forever grateful.

From our table to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃