About Us
We don’t do boring.
Because you’re not here for “just another event” or “just a video”. You’re here to make something that works, something that moves people and changes the game.
For over 30 years, we’ve helped brands stand out with a blend of strategy, creativity, and flawless execution. We bring the ideas, energy, and partnership to turn vision into impact. That’s what we do. That’s Exclaim.
We come to work to create, collaborate, and stay fearless. Pushing ideas, each other, and what’s possible.
Randy is the “bowtie guy” at Exclaim, where he serves as the Executive Producer for Design and Digital.
Music has been his lifelong jam, harmonizing as a Bass with Chicago Master Singers, as well as filling in at local church choirs with his below the staff range. When he’s not belting out notes or mastering piano pieces at home, you’ll find him cruising the back roads in his Beetle Convertible. Randy loves to get lost in a good Sci-Fi or Fantasy novel – and anything written by Murakami. Oh, and dark chocolate? Always on the menu!
Reil is the Sales and Marketing Coordinator at Exclaim, where he keeps things moving on the marketing front and jumps in wherever he’s needed elsewhere.
When he’s not working, you’ll probably find him chanting in the Wrigley Field bleachers, convincing himself this is finally the Cubs’ year, or glued to the TV during football season watching the Bears (with parts hope and heartbreak, but mostly heartbreak) and any college game he can find on. He’s also a huge music fan—his playlists are heavy on Red Hot Chili Peppers and Green Day, though he insists that doesn’t make him stuck in the 2000s.
Tim is the Video Editor at Exclaim, calling upon his 30 plus years in the industry to work closely with camera crews, producers and clients to transform raw footage into a polished final product that aligns with a project’s vision.
He likes to be outdoors – fall being his favorite time of year to be walking in the forest preserve with his wife. His Spotify playlist is full of hard rock and heavy metal – no country! He takes terrible selfies, just does not have the knack for it… Bacon, bourbon and barbecue are Tim’s essential food groups. He loves to cook and try new recipes. Tim makes amazing chili as well as Greek chicken (with homemade garlic naan). Horror movies are great, Hallmark movies are trash. A bit of a sci-fi fan, he prefers Star Trek to Star Wars and sometimes he has the nerdy habit of analyzing the technology behind television shows and movies rather than just watching.
Eric Lindberg is the Creative Director at Exclaim, leading bold storytelling across video, digital, and live events. With a background in comedy and over two decades of creative leadership, he shapes experiences that fuse strategy, emotion, and fearless originality—turning ideas into moments people remember.
Ryan is the Art Director and Video Producer at Exclaim.
A multi-discipline creative with over two decades of experience, Ryan has branded and rebranded companies, designed campaigns across print, digital, and mobile, and directed and edited video content for organizations of all sizes. He’s worked comfortably within brand guidelines—and knows exactly when to break them in the pursuit of something extraordinary. His balance of visual strategy, design instinct, and storytelling has made him an invaluable creative partner across Exclaim’s video and design projects.
Outside of Exclaim, Ryan is directing, producing, and co-writing Midway: The Story of Chicago Hip-Hop, a feature-length documentary film that has led him to speaking engagements at Google, Apple, Columbia College, Loyola University, Chicago’s CIMM Fest, and more. When he’s not behind a camera or in the edit suite, he’s at home with his wife and their two cats, Obi and Linus.
Benjamin is the IT support at Exclaim, where he and his team Manage, Guard and Accelerate streamline IT out of sight, out of mind and out of Exclaim way keeping Simple IT and Cybersecurity stuff.
When he’s not working, he will spend time with family and his grandson Silas, watching TV, walking around with the family dogs Luca and Molly or doing activities at Church. He’s also musician and loves to play acoustic guitar, drums and bass.
Each project we work on has its own unique personality, and we’re always learning – new technologies, new techniques, new approaches. But the best part of my job is meeting new people and getting to tell their stories. It’s always amazing.
Mariah is the Digital Project Manager at Exclaim, where she keeps projects on track, timelines in check, and makes sure creative ideas actually make it to the internet without breaking anything.
When she’s not juggling deadlines, Mariah loves spending time with her family, coaching her daughter’s soccer team, and planning their next camping adventure (usually the kind that calls for more marshmallows than actual wilderness survival skills). She believes a good balance of work, play, and a little fresh air is what keeps life fun and meaningful.
Tony Krzysko is the President and Owner of Exclaim. Since 1989, he’s done it all—starting as controller, moving through operations, and ultimately leading the agency with heart, humor, and an eye for fearless creativity. For Tony, the best moments come from seeing people take pride in their work and witnessing the genuine reactions of clients and audiences alike.
Off the clock, Tony’s a maestro of improv cooking (recipes are for cheaters), a weekend craftsman, and a connoisseur of good meals, better company, and the occasional inventive cocktail. He’s happiest at the Hayward cabin with Marie, family, friends, and grandson Will—or dancing to Dean and Frankie while a pot of sugo simmers and the Cubs, Hawks, or Bears play in the background.
Louis is a Founder and Owner who has a knack for building a business just as much as he’s good at building relationships. While most founders might be focused on the bottom line, Louis is probably more likely to talk with you because he trusts the interpersonal connections and authenticity of a real conversation. He is all about loving what he does and the people he does it with. His leadership style, like the iconic “I ❤️ NY” sculpture, is about making big, bold statements and becoming a timeless symbol of what the agency represents. This approach has been a key driver in the growth and success of Exclaim.
When he’s not traveling, he’s exploring beaches and trails with his wife, Linda. He’s got a huge network of friends and a long list of hobbies, proving that life’s too short to be boring
John makes stories move….literally. As Executive Producer of Video at Exclaim, he blends creative vision with hands-on production know-how to bring ideas to life. With a background spanning both video and live event production, he’s powered by strong coffee, good movies, and a lifelong obsession with storytelling in all its forms. Please friend him on Goodreads.
Outside of work John has 4 children, which he maintains is entirely too many.
Nick is the Head of Events at Exclaim, a relative one stop shop for all things live and exciting. Need a half time show? Got it. Corporate meeting that makes attendees stand up on their feet? Got that too. If it’s an in-person affair, where you want to leave a lasting impression with your attendees, Nick’s your guy.
Despite how he might appear, Nick is actually, a rather nice and approachable person. Well-read too! (I know he doesn’t look like he CAN read much less reads a few books a month and in his free time no less… no one’s even making him do it!) While that doesn’t fit his aesthetic, what does is the custom motorcycles he builds himself, as well as being a fairly accomplished designer and fabricator. Nick embodies the meaning of being a True Renaissance Man.
Kurt is the Lead for Digital Design and Development at Exclaim, where he bridges the gap between creativity and code. Equal parts designer, developer, and problem-solver, he’s Exclaim’s digital Swiss Army knife for everything web—from creative layouts and custom code to hosting and performance.
When he’s not knee-deep in pixels and code, Kurt’s probably geeking out on a new web trend, diving into a podcast, or laughing through a stand-up show. He’s also an avid reader, concertgoer, hiker, church elder, and Scouting volunteer. He and his wife enjoy cruising with the top down in search of the perfect custard. Always curious, always creating—Kurt’s never far from his next great discovery.
LeeAnn Sherman, MBA is a strategic growth leader who helps organizations scale and prepare for transformative outcomes. She builds teams for critical transitions and organizational insight to deliver results that matter. Known for building trust-based relationships and aligning leadership teams during times of change, LeeAnn is dedicated to creating environments where strategy is clear, communication is strong, teams are empowered, and growth is sustainable. Outside of work, she finds inspiration in interior design, gardening, and Gilson Beach.
Tim Pritts is the Associate Creative Director and Animator at Exclaim. With more than 35 years in video and animation, he still gets a spark from watching ideas take shape and come to life. Tim’s always drawn to projects that challenge him and push creative boundaries, with the goal of delivering work that truly connects and exceeds expectations. Over the years, Tim has added photography, videography, and drone piloting to his creative toolkit. Outside of work, he loves to spend time with his grandchildren, building and flying FPV drones, and finding new ways to get creative in the kitchen.
Drew produces photo and video projects at Exclaim, making sure creative chaos becomes something worth watching. Off the clock, he’s deep into music and endless playlist tweaks, a daily NYT game ritual, and comedy that actually makes him laugh. Drew’s a lifelong victim of Chicago sports, tends to a stubborn collection of plants, and recharges with time by Lake Michigan.
Sam Kaufman is a people person in the truest sense —he listens first, speaks with purpose, and always puts the client’s success front and center. Competitive by nature and collaborative by instinct, Sam brings the same energy to a live event that he does to a backyard BBQ — connecting people, sparking great moments, and making sure everyone leaves with something to talk about.
A lifelong sports fan, Sam loves a good game — whether he’s on the field, watching from the stands, or helping a client pull off a major win. From live events to digital launches to full-scale productions, he thrives on seeing a vision come to life — and cheering just as hard for his clients’ victories as he would for his favorite team.
With over 20 years of experience in live events, video production and virtual experiences, Stephanie brings a deep understanding of clients and a love for building relationships. She excels in quickly understanding a client’s challenges and creating strategic solutions that can achieve their desired results. As a senior event producer, Stephanie manages all technical aspects of show production, while offering organization, creative services and helping clients develop an impactful architecture for their meetings. She enjoys the great balance of creativity, attention to detail & client service.
Stephanie loves to take long walks to think, clear her head or relax depending on the moment. She counts her steps every day. Stephanie also has three teenage kids that keep her running to school, theater, choir, baseball and football. Her SUV is basically equipped to be second home on the go with water, snacks, and blankets.
Jone has seen the industry evolve from slide trays and VHS tapes to AI-assisted showstoppers—and she’s been at the heart of that transformation every step of the way. Over her career, she’s worn many hats: production and animation photographer, client service manager, and graphic services manager. Today, she keeps Exclaim’s projects on track and teams aligned, managing everything from staff time and expenses to client and vendor accounts.
Whether she’s coordinating timelines or jumping on-site to support live shows and client reviews, Jone brings a steady hand and a love for the high-energy pulse of production. Outside the office, she finds her balance in gardening, biking, and spending time with her family.
Randy is the “bowtie guy” at Exclaim, where he serves as the Executive Producer for Design and Digital.
Music has been his lifelong jam, harmonizing as a Bass with Chicago Master Singers, as well as filling in at local church choirs with his below the staff range. When he’s not belting out notes or mastering piano pieces at home, you’ll find him cruising the back roads in his Beetle Convertible. Randy loves to get lost in a good Sci-Fi or Fantasy novel – and anything written by Murakami. Oh, and dark chocolate? Always on the menu!
Mariah is the Digital Project Manager at Exclaim, where she keeps projects on track, timelines in check, and makes sure creative ideas actually make it to the internet without breaking anything.
When she’s not juggling deadlines, Mariah loves spending time with her family, coaching her daughter’s soccer team, and planning their next camping adventure (usually the kind that calls for more marshmallows than actual wilderness survival skills). She believes a good balance of work, play, and a little fresh air is what keeps life fun and meaningful.
LeeAnn Sherman, MBA is a strategic growth leader who helps organizations scale and prepare for transformative outcomes. She builds teams for critical transitions and organizational insight to deliver results that matter. Known for building trust-based relationships and aligning leadership teams during times of change, LeeAnn is dedicated to creating environments where strategy is clear, communication is strong, teams are empowered, and growth is sustainable. Outside of work, she finds inspiration in interior design, gardening, and Gilson Beach.
Reil is the Sales and Marketing Coordinator at Exclaim, where he keeps things moving on the marketing front and jumps in wherever he’s needed elsewhere.
When he’s not working, you’ll probably find him chanting in the Wrigley Field bleachers, convincing himself this is finally the Cubs’ year, or glued to the TV during football season watching the Bears (with parts hope and heartbreak, but mostly heartbreak) and any college game he can find on. He’s also a huge music fan—his playlists are heavy on Red Hot Chili Peppers and Green Day, though he insists that doesn’t make him stuck in the 2000s.
Tony Krzysko is the President and Owner of Exclaim. Since 1989, he’s done it all—starting as controller, moving through operations, and ultimately leading the agency with heart, humor, and an eye for fearless creativity. For Tony, the best moments come from seeing people take pride in their work and witnessing the genuine reactions of clients and audiences alike.
Off the clock, Tony’s a maestro of improv cooking (recipes are for cheaters), a weekend craftsman, and a connoisseur of good meals, better company, and the occasional inventive cocktail. He’s happiest at the Hayward cabin with Marie, family, friends, and grandson Will—or dancing to Dean and Frankie while a pot of sugo simmers and the Cubs, Hawks, or Bears play in the background.
Tim Pritts is the Associate Creative Director and Animator at Exclaim. With more than 35 years in video and animation, he still gets a spark from watching ideas take shape and come to life. Tim’s always drawn to projects that challenge him and push creative boundaries, with the goal of delivering work that truly connects and exceeds expectations. Over the years, Tim has added photography, videography, and drone piloting to his creative toolkit. Outside of work, he loves to spend time with his grandchildren, building and flying FPV drones, and finding new ways to get creative in the kitchen.
Tim is the Video Editor at Exclaim, calling upon his 30 plus years in the industry to work closely with camera crews, producers and clients to transform raw footage into a polished final product that aligns with a project’s vision.
He likes to be outdoors – fall being his favorite time of year to be walking in the forest preserve with his wife. His Spotify playlist is full of hard rock and heavy metal – no country! He takes terrible selfies, just does not have the knack for it… Bacon, bourbon and barbecue are Tim’s essential food groups. He loves to cook and try new recipes. Tim makes amazing chili as well as Greek chicken (with homemade garlic naan). Horror movies are great, Hallmark movies are trash. A bit of a sci-fi fan, he prefers Star Trek to Star Wars and sometimes he has the nerdy habit of analyzing the technology behind television shows and movies rather than just watching.
Louis is a Founder and Owner who has a knack for building a business just as much as he’s good at building relationships. While most founders might be focused on the bottom line, Louis is probably more likely to talk with you because he trusts the interpersonal connections and authenticity of a real conversation. He is all about loving what he does and the people he does it with. His leadership style, like the iconic “I ❤️ NY” sculpture, is about making big, bold statements and becoming a timeless symbol of what the agency represents. This approach has been a key driver in the growth and success of Exclaim.
When he’s not traveling, he’s exploring beaches and trails with his wife, Linda. He’s got a huge network of friends and a long list of hobbies, proving that life’s too short to be boring
Drew produces photo and video projects at Exclaim, making sure creative chaos becomes something worth watching. Off the clock, he’s deep into music and endless playlist tweaks, a daily NYT game ritual, and comedy that actually makes him laugh. Drew’s a lifelong victim of Chicago sports, tends to a stubborn collection of plants, and recharges with time by Lake Michigan.
Eric Lindberg is the Creative Director at Exclaim, leading bold storytelling across video, digital, and live events. With a background in comedy and over two decades of creative leadership, he shapes experiences that fuse strategy, emotion, and fearless originality—turning ideas into moments people remember.
John makes stories move….literally. As Executive Producer of Video at Exclaim, he blends creative vision with hands-on production know-how to bring ideas to life. With a background spanning both video and live event production, he’s powered by strong coffee, good movies, and a lifelong obsession with storytelling in all its forms. Please friend him on Goodreads.
Outside of work John has 4 children, which he maintains is entirely too many.
Sam Kaufman is a people person in the truest sense —he listens first, speaks with purpose, and always puts the client’s success front and center. Competitive by nature and collaborative by instinct, Sam brings the same energy to a live event that he does to a backyard BBQ — connecting people, sparking great moments, and making sure everyone leaves with something to talk about.
A lifelong sports fan, Sam loves a good game — whether he’s on the field, watching from the stands, or helping a client pull off a major win. From live events to digital launches to full-scale productions, he thrives on seeing a vision come to life — and cheering just as hard for his clients’ victories as he would for his favorite team.
Ryan is the Art Director and Video Producer at Exclaim.
A multi-discipline creative with over two decades of experience, Ryan has branded and rebranded companies, designed campaigns across print, digital, and mobile, and directed and edited video content for organizations of all sizes. He’s worked comfortably within brand guidelines—and knows exactly when to break them in the pursuit of something extraordinary. His balance of visual strategy, design instinct, and storytelling has made him an invaluable creative partner across Exclaim’s video and design projects.
Outside of Exclaim, Ryan is directing, producing, and co-writing Midway: The Story of Chicago Hip-Hop, a feature-length documentary film that has led him to speaking engagements at Google, Apple, Columbia College, Loyola University, Chicago’s CIMM Fest, and more. When he’s not behind a camera or in the edit suite, he’s at home with his wife and their two cats, Obi and Linus.
Nick is the Head of Events at Exclaim, a relative one stop shop for all things live and exciting. Need a half time show? Got it. Corporate meeting that makes attendees stand up on their feet? Got that too. If it’s an in-person affair, where you want to leave a lasting impression with your attendees, Nick’s your guy.
Despite how he might appear, Nick is actually, a rather nice and approachable person. Well-read too! (I know he doesn’t look like he CAN read much less reads a few books a month and in his free time no less… no one’s even making him do it!) While that doesn’t fit his aesthetic, what does is the custom motorcycles he builds himself, as well as being a fairly accomplished designer and fabricator. Nick embodies the meaning of being a True Renaissance Man.
With over 20 years of experience in live events, video production and virtual experiences, Stephanie brings a deep understanding of clients and a love for building relationships. She excels in quickly understanding a client’s challenges and creating strategic solutions that can achieve their desired results. As a senior event producer, Stephanie manages all technical aspects of show production, while offering organization, creative services and helping clients develop an impactful architecture for their meetings. She enjoys the great balance of creativity, attention to detail & client service.
Stephanie loves to take long walks to think, clear her head or relax depending on the moment. She counts her steps every day. Stephanie also has three teenage kids that keep her running to school, theater, choir, baseball and football. Her SUV is basically equipped to be second home on the go with water, snacks, and blankets.
Benjamin is the IT support at Exclaim, where he and his team Manage, Guard and Accelerate streamline IT out of sight, out of mind and out of Exclaim way keeping Simple IT and Cybersecurity stuff.
When he’s not working, he will spend time with family and his grandson Silas, watching TV, walking around with the family dogs Luca and Molly or doing activities at Church. He’s also musician and loves to play acoustic guitar, drums and bass.
Kurt is the Lead for Digital Design and Development at Exclaim, where he bridges the gap between creativity and code. Equal parts designer, developer, and problem-solver, he’s Exclaim’s digital Swiss Army knife for everything web—from creative layouts and custom code to hosting and performance.
When he’s not knee-deep in pixels and code, Kurt’s probably geeking out on a new web trend, diving into a podcast, or laughing through a stand-up show. He’s also an avid reader, concertgoer, hiker, church elder, and Scouting volunteer. He and his wife enjoy cruising with the top down in search of the perfect custard. Always curious, always creating—Kurt’s never far from his next great discovery.
Jone has seen the industry evolve from slide trays and VHS tapes to AI-assisted showstoppers—and she’s been at the heart of that transformation every step of the way. Over her career, she’s worn many hats: production and animation photographer, client service manager, and graphic services manager. Today, she keeps Exclaim’s projects on track and teams aligned, managing everything from staff time and expenses to client and vendor accounts.
Whether she’s coordinating timelines or jumping on-site to support live shows and client reviews, Jone brings a steady hand and a love for the high-energy pulse of production. Outside the office, she finds her balance in gardening, biking, and spending time with her family.
Each project we work on has its own unique personality, and we’re always learning – new technologies, new techniques, new approaches. But the best part of my job is meeting new people and getting to tell their stories. It’s always amazing.