Our Story
The LUM Studio story is just a little bit different.
It all started when...
...we began developing a business concept to create an integrated marketing and communications firm in Casper, Wyoming that would develop custom programs for clients based on their specific needs and include measurement tools to prove the effectiveness of the effort. While we did this, we worked to create a unique culture prioritizing the experience of life, flexibility, hard work, and courageous actions.
You'll see these throughout all areas of our business, values, and everything we do. They're part of how we manage our clients and projects, work with you, run our business, and collaborate with employees and independent contractors. See, we look at this like a funnel that starts with our employees and business and flows all the way through to our clients’ customers.
We create an environment that offers flexibility to work when each individual is most creative and efficient; supports courageous innovation and big thoughts that lead to new and effective ideas and initiatives; pushes people to do better; and encourages them to experience and engage in all the things they love and that interest them. Through this process we cultivate a happy, healthy, strong and smart team, that works hard and is invested in getting our clients big results.
In 2020, we rebranded to LUM Studio as our vision and direction changed and elevated. Through these pages you’ll find more about our clients, how we work and the industries we serve. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. We'd love the opportunity to visit with you.
Things you don't do in the dark
Don't do your marketing in the dark. LŪM Studio: IlLŪMinating Brighter, Bolder Brands.
LUM Studio’s purpose is to help ignite purposeful, bold brands – those we serve and our own – that positively and measurably impact the experience of life. We do this by concepting, creating and implementing marketing and communications programs that benefit our clients and theirs; developing and providing fun, implementable training and instructional offerings; and supporting and engaging in community based and socially responsible initiatives that are important to our employees, clients, and ourselves.
- IMPROVE the experience of life for our clients, clients’ clients, team, partners, and community by engaging in projects and initiatives that are fun, honest, relatable, and positive.
- PUSH ourselves, accept challenges, and produce results that create loyalty and referrals.
- CULTIVATE and nurture an environment that inspires creativity, courage, boldness, purpose, and engagement.
- EDUCATE and promote better marketing and communications tactics and measurement in Wyoming and beyond.
- VALUE relationships as our greatest asset. Let honesty, transparency, fairness, empathy, and the desire to provide exceptional effort and quality be the core.
- OFFER flexibility and freedom that promotes the most efficient and effective outcome for our clients and team.
- OPENLY and honestly share information with our clients, team, and community to better the experience, capabilities and knowledge of all involved.
- DO what you say you will. Simple as that.
- EXPERIENCE more fun, engagement, and excitement than frustration, boredom, or annoyance. If it’s the other way, it’s time to move on.
Here at LUM Studio we view our people as more than just human resources. We are a team with individual passions and talents that bring rich value to our clients. We are a team of experts from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, dedicated to doing our best and enjoying the process. We believe in working hard, but also prioritizing family and life outside the office.
Leah Reeb Varela |
Partner, Director of Business Development & Marketing
Leah has worked in the private, public, and not for profit sectors in Wyoming, across the United States and internationally for the previous 17 years. She has extensive experience in the local, state, and federal government sectors, agriculture, tourism and hospitality, economic development, private business consulting, business development and marketing. Leah’s passion includes working with brands that provide a unique quality of life to their users, particularly experiences in the great State of Wyoming.
Leah’s expertise includes program and organizational development and management, business and sales process best practices, event planning, marketing campaign management, public and media relations, and social media strategy and implementation. Leah served as LŪM’s Account Manager for contracted services with the Wyoming State Fair between 2020 – 2022 and has a deep working knowledge of the organization.
eah holds an A.S. in Ag Business and B.S. is in Political and Social Science. She received her Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Wyoming in 2008. Leah currently serves on the Executive Board of Advance Casper.
KERSTIN ELLIS |
Partner, Director of Strategy, Client Service, and Operations
Jessi Sawdon |
Digital Strategist & Marketing Coordinator
Extensive work in content creation and education in web development pushed Jessi to move into the marketing and communication industry, focusing specifically on digital strategy and implementation. Jessi’s passion is working with clients to create a custom digital program that suits their needs.
Jessi’s expertise includes content creation, digital strategy, search engine optimization (SEO), search engine management (SEM), analytics measurement, web design and maintenance, media buy, and social media strategy and implementation.
Jessi has an A.A. in Human Communication from Casper College and is currently finalizing her Google certification program in SEO/SEM. Jessi was a legal secretary for 15 years prior to joining the LŪM Team as Marketing Coordinator.
Jes Stanbury |
Account Director – Account Management
Prior to joining LŪM, Jes spent almost six years in the nonprofit sector developing and monitoring the volunteer referral/match component of ServeWyoming. Her background also includes communication instruction at the community college and University level, plus, a background in institutional communications and institutional marketing. Through these experiences, Jes developed a passion for marketing communications, design, and public relations.
Jes’ expertise includes program development and management, creating written and visual content, as well as public and media relations relations. As Account Director and Account Manager, Jes is incredibly skilled at managing a team and overseeing projects to ensure strategy and goals remain at the forefront while also ensuring tasks are completed on time and to LŪM’s high-quality standard. She also serves as LŪM's Public and Media Relations Specialist, providing strategy and expertise on reputation and relationship management to help ensure our client's key stakeholders are engaged with their business or organization.
Jes has a B.S. in Communication, with a Minor in Marketing Communication. She earned her M.A. in Communication from the University of Wyoming in 2011. She currently serves on the board for ServeWyoming. She earned her M.A. in Communication from the University of Wyoming in 2011.
Julie Schmitt |
Account Manager & Media Specialist
Bringing together her passions for creativity and organization, Julie works hard to help clients reach new heights in their marketing. In her role as Account Manager, Julie is incredibly skilled at managing projects to ensure strategy and goals remain at the forefront while also ensuring tasks are completed on time within budget, and to LŪM’s high-quality standard.
Julie’s expertise includes program management, social media strategy, written and visual content creation, video shooting and editing, media buy management, and event planning.
Prior to joining LŪM Studio, Julie was the Marketing Manager at David Street Station, where she organized 20+ community events yearly, coordinated with vendors and music acts, and managed all marketing and promotional efforts. Her background also includes experience in the non-profit and higher education sectors.
Julie has a B.S. in Mass Communications, Emphasis in Public Relations, and a Minor in Graphic Design from Saint Cloud State University. She currently serves as the secretary for the Casper Mural Project Board and volunteers with the Make A Wish Foundation.
Marissa Brammer |
Content Manager
With a deep knowledge of social media and user engagement, Marissa leads many social media efforts for LŪM clients. Her unique ability to combine quality, purposeful messaging with striking visuals, including video, as well as track and analyze key metrics ensures each client’s content is seen.
Marissa’s communications skills blossomed after spending time as a public relations and marketing intern for a small business. This experience allowed her to truly uncover her passion for marketing and working with clients. Marissa’s expertise includes social media management, content creation and management, editing, and professional and creative writing for all forms of media including social, website, print, email, media announcements, and more.
Marissa has a B.S. is in Marketing from the University of Wyoming, with an additional A.S. in Business Administration from Casper College.
Michelle McCristian |
Account Manager
With an immense passion for making meaningful connections, Michelle has been creating and sharing impactful stories with those around her within the ad agency industry since 2019. Michelle’s expertise includes project management, content creation, photography and video production including both shooting and editing. Michelle specializes in lifestyle, event, and fine art photography. She has participated in numerous art shows (DNA Galleries Photography Group Show, Paseo Arts Center Photography Show: Honorable Mention) and has been published in Nightcrawler Magazine: Vo. II.
Prior to joining LŪM Studio, Michelle was a Senior Video Producer and Project Manager with Flight Agency based in Oklahoma City and has worked on multiple Heartland Emmy Nominated projects. Michelle holds a B.M. in Music from Oklahoma City University.
Scarlett Verity |
Creative Strategist & Designer
Scarlett is a creative problem solver with a strength at seeing what’s missing and bringing balance to a group, situation, design, or campaign. As a graphic designer, she enjoys the challenge of combining simplicity and beauty to answer design problems with elegant solutions.
Scarlett has been creating in the design field since 2017, and has been a small business owner of a freelance design agency. She enjoys putting her technical skills and creativity to use in collaborative environments with great attention to detail. She has worked with many nonprofits and small businesses to strengthen their brands. She creates print, digital marketing, informational materials so clients can get their message or product into the world in a beautiful and purposeful way.
Scarlett holds a BA in Studio Art and Psychology from Tulane University. Scarlett’s expertise includes print design, art directing, campaigns, branding, and creative strategy.
Jenni Milner |
Operations Manager
Serving people has always been at the center of Jenni’s professional career path. Jenni joined LUM after 12 years in HR leadership roles in Hospitals and Industrial Construction. Her desire to respond quickly to issues and provide timely effective solutions makes her a great “behind the scenes” fit for our team. Having recently moved back to Casper, Jenni is looking forward to integrating her passion for people and serving others into the realm of Marketing and Communications.
Sarah Matteson |
Web Designer & Developer
Sarah has been dedicated to helping businesses showcase their services and offerings through professional front-end and back-end website development for the last 12 years.
As an experienced professional with a broad background in web development and design, Sarah is driven by solving problems, making processes more efficient, and providing high-quality work and memorable user experiences. Her years of experience has allowed her to develop a thorough understanding of how the different goals of a business should work together as a part of their full digital marketing strategy. Sarah is dedicated to building strategic websites that are responsive, clean, and built with a user in mind.
Prior to joining LŪM, Sarah had extensive experience working with start-up companies and non-profit organizations. Sarah holds a B.S. in Information Systems with a minor in Media Arts from the University of Montana.
We are always on the lookout for new members of the team. If you like the sound of a flexible work environment that is dedicated to a positive work/life balance and share our values visit our careers page to submit your resume.
307-224-4950 | [email protected]
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