Meet Our Team
Lou Pierce is President of Big Idea Company. As an Emmy Award-winning brand-building consultant, Pierce writes and produces all forms of advertising, public relations and e-communications. His work has been written about in books, won more than 300 industry awards, and been shown on national and international television all over the world.Pierce has been honored in Indiana with awards from the Chamber of Commerce, his hometown Mayor’s office and City Council. He has written numerous articles for industry publications, and is often quoted as a media expert on issues as diverse as FCC media ownership regulations, programming decisions and the modern role of public service in American broadcasting.
As a cause-marketing expert he has been introduced at conferences as the “Wizard of Cause” and serves as a spokesperson and board member for several not-for-profit boards, committees and foundations in the region. *
Melinda Pierce is Vice President of Big Idea Company. Her background includes 28 years of non-profit healthcare-related marketing and public service experience, as well as years of experience serving on local and statewide non-profit boards.Over the years, Pierce has developed a keen expertise in successful non-profit marketing strategies, particularly as they relate to medical specialties, community organizations and academic institutions.
Pierce serves as a spokesperson and board member for several not-for-profit boards, committees and foundations and holds degrees from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana University South Bend, Ivy Tech State College and is a graduate of the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County Leadership Program.
Jill Klinedinst is Projects and Creative Services Manger for Big Idea Company. Her expertise includes all aspects of public relations, e-communications, print, media placement and the day-to-day responsibilities of managing client accounts.
Jill is also the Program Coordinator for Big Idea Company’s Internship Program, and is responsible for hiring and overseeing all interns for the company.
She is a graduate of Indiana University South Bend where she majored in Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Public Affairs.
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Steve Lotter is a Telly Award-winning writer/editor of digital media for Big Idea Company. He received his BA in Mass Communications from Indiana University in 2007.Steve’s array of expertise includes search engine optimization, social media, all phases of production, nonlinear editing, and scriptwriting for television and film.
With his “curious appetite for all things ‘media,’” Steve’s side interests include social networking, mobile media and the impact that these emerging technologies will have upon businesses and not-for-profit institutions large and small.
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Ryan Faist is the principal writer/editor for Big Idea Company. With an insatiable passion for the written word, he spends his time composing articles, press releases, e-letters, newsletters, web copy, direct mail copy and other marketing prose.Ryan is a devoted writer whose first major project with Big Idea Company in 2008 was to co-author a book the company self-published about a penniless local woman who started a health clinic on the west side of South Bend, Indiana and met the President of the United States in the process. Ryan earned his B.A. in English Literature from Indiana University in 2002.
Arielle Schmitt is a graphic designer for Big Idea Company. She graduated from Spring Arbor University in Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and photography in 2007. A Michiana native, she has since developed a reputation for excellence in design with prolific freelance and volunteer work for various businesses and organizations in the community, including Michiana Monologues and South Bend Community School Corporation.
