Dennis Ramdeen, Managing Director

• Launched Pepper Advertising in September 2005, after heading McCann Erickson’s Caribbean operation
• Held senior marketing positions at National Brewing Company (Stag and Heineken), Coca Cola, Carib Brewery, First Citizens, Pizza Hut and KFC
• Mantra: Own One Thing
• Once played Chicky, the KFC mascot at a company Family Day

The Creative Team

Dameon Edwards, Graphic Designer

• Studied Graphic Design at A Levels at St Augustine Senior Secondary & John Donaldson Technical Institute
• 10 Working in the Advertising Industry
• Has always been interested in illustration at a young age (and now makes money off it!)

Which famous person would you like to meet and why?
Mariah Carey… slightly obsessed for years now lol

Have any special talents?
Singing and Drawing

Marie-Elena Joseph, Graphic Designer

• Graduated magna cum-laude with a BFA (with a major in Illustration) from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD University) in Savannah, Georgia
• Worked at Nickelodeon and MTV networks in NYC (2010)
• Fluent in Spanish

Would you eat a live hamster for $1 million?
HELL yes I would totally eat a live hamster for a million dollars!!!… Honestly who would not? -except for PETA activists or people who dont know the value of a million dollars obviously…. Hamsters only make it to the 4.8 cuteness factor on the “cute animal Richter scale” anyway… Not a huge loss really…

What makes you happy?
My 10 cats..snuggles, mr wiskers, barthole-meow, poosie…JK…(I actually really dislike cats-there’s a story behind that lol)…. Uhm making others laugh and smile (gosh..corny I know..but its the honest truth and I mean that). Oh and ice-cream of course :)

Bjorn Stodart, Team Lead – Creative

• His positive vibe is influential on both fellow Pepperites & clients alike
• 26 countries down, dozens more to go, always in the centre of a good time; where B goes, everyone wants to follow.
• Graduate of the University of Central Florida with a BA in Digital Media

Are you obsessive?
I think I’ve definitely got some obsessive qualities, for example: My living and work space has to be organised and put away. If there are things out of place or not where they should be it bothers me. I also make up my bed every morning, which I guess is strange for 99% of you out there. Girls also dig a man that can do some things around the house like cooking/cleaning/etc… what can I say? I’m the all-inclusive package :)

Would you eat a live hamster for $1 million?
Are we talking US or TT here? For a million US I’d do just about anything, including eat a live hamster – I don’t need all the bells and whistles this world has to offer, but financial stability is definitely something I’m trying to achieve, even if it means the end of a cute, little, furry, woodland creature… yum!

Eric Barry, Senior Copywriter

• Has been working the advertising arena for ten years
• Theatre Arts Graduate of the University of the West Indies Centre for Festival and Creative Arts
• 7-time Cacique Award-winner
• When not writing award-winning plays, he” gives dem pressure” on the tennis court

If you could change anything about yourself, what would you change?
My good nature!!!

What do you dream about?
Stopping time

The Client Services Team

Patricia Dookhan, Account/Media Executive

• Many years experience in the advertising industry, both at ad agencies and media houses
• Results oriented, Pat’s motto is “there is no such word as can’t”
• Adapts well to any situation, works well under stress

Which famous person would you like to meet and why?
I would like to meet Barack Obama because I believe he will make a positive impact in this world, and when we meet together with my contribution we can make the world be a better place. (Dream on, Pat!)

What makes you happy?
L I F E, no matter the circumstances we face on a daily basis, it’s good to be alive. It’s a learning experience from birth to the end.

Nastassia Maharaj, Account Executive

• UWI graduate – B.Sc. Sociology, Minor – Public Sector Management
• Several years experience in the Advertising industry

Are you obsessive?
Do fish swim?

Have any special talents?
Telling the awesome-est jokes ever!

Euline Panteau, Senior Account Executive

• More than 10 years Advertising, Events, Brand  and FMCG experience
• Has previously help positions on both the Agency and Client side of the advertising world
• Holds a Diploma in LCCI Marketing Advertising and Public Relations, a Certificate in Event Planning & Public Relations and a Certificate in the Fundamentals of Competitive Marketing

Are you obsessive?
I am obsessive about Advertising in Trinidad …don’t get me started about ads I like, those I hate and why we’ll be here all day. And reality TV – bubble gum for the brain…have a good chew then spit it out

Would you eat a live hamster for $1 million?
No. I think there are enough people doing stupid things just for money. Reality TV anyone?

Liliana Ragbir, Team Lead – Client Services

• Graduated with First Class Honours from UWI’s B. Sc Management Studies programme and has a Grade A Certificate of Proficiency in Project Management.
• Key part of Pepper’s strategy team, proposing new business pitches and driving client brand positioning
• Holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus in Marketing from the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University

What makes you happy?
Ice cream! And making others happy.

Would you eat a live hamster for $1 million?
Hell no! poor furry creature, already is tortured by endlessly running on a wheel in a cage….

Gina Richardson, Account Executive

• Marketing professional with 14 years experience and a strong Telecomms emphasis
• Bachelors in Management from the University of the West Indies and Post Grad Diploma from University of Leicester
• Very family oriented – retired soccer mom

Are you obsessive?
I am very obsessive but I am learning to “let it go”

What do you dream about?
Living out my days with my soul-mate in a peaceful, tranquil environment (with a sea-view)

The Administrative Team

Michael Dass, Media Co-ordinator

• Has worked at four different advertising agencies thus far
• Started off as a Traffic Manager, working in and managing the Media, Production and Accounts Departments…now, is Pepper’s Media Scheduling Master
• Finds his zen playing guitar and quarto and singing in a choir

Would you eat a live hamster for $1 million?
No! But I will eat $1 million for a live hamster.

What’s your biggest fear?
The unknown future

Joanne Lashley, Accounts Assistant

• 61/2 years in the advertising business
• Prepares Purchase Orders and makes cheque payments
• Alter ego, Jo bathroom singer extraordinaire

Have any special talents?
Sign Language (though not fluently)

What’s your dream job?
One like on the travel network, paid to visit different countries and establishments

Acklima Maharaj, Accountant

• Canadian by birth, Acklima has lived and traveled all around the world
• Education includes: a degree in Economics, McGill University, Canada; MBA from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland; ACCA-qualified
• Has lived Middle East for 7 years – in Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Cyprus, Bahrain, Egypt, Syria & Lebanon, traveling extensively throughout Europe for work
• Work Experience includes: Financial Consultant for an Offshore Financial Company from the Isle of Man & a term at the United Nations International School in Israel

What do you dream about?
I dream about growing old to see my children become adults and become great people to influence the world!

What makes you happy?
My Children

Gillian Murray, Traffic Co-ordinator

• Mother: showing the ropes to new colleagues and always lending a listening ear to all.
• Sentinel: all things Pepper must go through Gil
• Collaborator: occasionally helping out art room with artwork
• Soccer Mom: Executive Member of Queen’s Park East Football Academy, has held offices in the Northern Football Association for the past 12 years

Damian Primus, Courier & Office Assistant

• By Day: Office Assistant/Co-ordinator/Handyman
• By Night: Ballad crooner and performer
• Speedy Gonzales in the correspondence, cheques, invoices and miscellaneous delivery