The Smart's Publishing "Smart" Team

James Whitaker, president

Smart's Publishing's publisher and president, James Whitaker, has an extensive background in the insurance industry. His career started in 1975, and he has worked as an an underwriter, broker and marketing executive for firms such as the St. Paul, Marsh & McLennan and Design Professionals Insurance Company.

In 1988, he started James Whitaker & Associates, a public relations and advertising firm specializing in the insurance industry. In 1989, the firm launched Insurance Update (later called Insurance Buyers' News), a custom client newsletter sponsored by the Western Association of Insurance Brokers (now part of Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of California). In 1992, James Whitaker & Associates purchased Smart's Insurance Bulletin, started by Art Smart in San Francisco in 1953 to report on the California insurance industry. Soon thereafter, the firm changed its name to Smart's Publishing.

Mr. Whitaker has a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of California, Berkeley; a master's degree in English literature from the University of Toronto, and several insurance professional designations, including the ARM (Associate of Risk Management) and CPCU (chartered property/casualty underwriter).

Robynne Whitaker, associate publisher

Robynne Whitaker has been affiliated with Smart's Publishing's client newsletter division in an editorial capacity since 1989. She currently serves as managing editor/associate publisher.

Prior to joining Smart's Publishing, she worked in several marketing communications positions in the insurance and financial industry, including at LOMA, the Life Office Management Association; Provident Central Credit Union and Paul Revere Life Insurance Co. (now part of UNUM). She has a bachelor's degree in French literature from Mount Holyoke College and a master's degree in mass communications from Boston University.

Lisa Merriman, sales manager

Lisa has extensive experience in sales and customer service in the financial services industry. With experience as an escrow officer and customer service representative/licensed insurance agent, Lisa understands our clients' marketing and sales needs. Give her a call today to find out how you can use a Smart's client newsletter to jump start your prospecting and client retention program!

Brenda Potvin, customer service/inside sales coordinator

Brenda has more than 20 years' experience in insurance sales, along with experience as a real estate agent. With her friendly manner and helpful attitude, she's ready to assist clients with questions or changes they want to make to their newsletter order, as well as helping them maximize the effectiveness of their newsletter programs through enhanced services.

Editorial staff

Andrew Goldberg , editor, Smart's Insurance Bulletin

Andy is a seasoned reporter with experience that has spanned the globe. A native of England, he graduated with honors from Cambridge University. His first job upon graduation was with the Jerusalem Post. He became an expert in Middle Eastern affairs and reported for the Sunday Times and DPA, the German Press Agency. He now lives in the U.S. and reports on technology and business for Smart's Insurance Bulletin and other publications. He also writes some of Smart's Publishing's client newsletters for insurance agents and brokers.

With his reporting and press agency experience, Andy has developed a unique ability to root out sources and distill the news into short, pithy articles.

Matthew Heller, editor, Smart's California Workers' Comp Bulletin

Born in the U.S., Matthew was raised and educated in England, which makes us wonder what the schools there do to turn out such great writers.

He's been a correspondent for Reuters, the Los Angeles Times and other publications. As a staff writer for the Los Angeles Daily Journal and editor of On Point News, a legal news Web site, he
developed the rare and valuable skill of being able to translate legal jargon into prose understandable by the layperson.

Eric J. Adams, contributor

Eric is an award-winning journalist and published novelist. His background includes years of experience as a reporter for a daily newspaper. He currently works as a freelance business writer and consultant. Known for his clear and concise reporting, he has contributed to leading national and regional publications, such as Business Week.

And other highly qualified contributing writers.

Support staff

Michael Clark, lead designer

Michael has been a graphic designer since 1994, honing his skills at several Oregon advertising agencies. Prior to that, he worked as a radio broadcaster. His advertising and marketing backgrounds give him a practical perspective on what works and what doesn't in designing a marketing piece.

Michael is familiar with many design programs, and currently uses Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat). He has worked in a variety of print and electronic media--in addition to newsletters, he has done ads, catalogs, brochures and more. In his free time, he creates fine artworks with digital photography and Photoshop, and hopes to exhibit his work in a local gallery.

Charissa Black-McKay, designer/production manager

Charissa brings to her job extensive design experience, coupled with an in-depth knowledge of print production. She has designed and produced a wide variety of effective and attractive pieces, from print ads, catalogs, and Web sites to trade show displays.

She works closely with our new and continuing clients to ensure their orders and any changes they might require are made to their satisfaction.

NEWSLETTER SAMPLES

In creating our newsletters, we take readers—your clients and prospects— seriously. We respect their intelligence by providing useful, relevant information rather than marketing fluff and "sound bites." The philosphy is simple: we provide great content and let you take the credit...read sample issues.