Who We Are

A recruitment marketing pioneer since 1951, Shaker is a full-service agency specializing in highly customized communications and strategies for attracting and retaining the right talent ... in the right places, with the right messages.

Our Team

What started by a family continues to be all about family—a strong and talented team of friends and colleagues and confidantes. Meet some of the leaders we are honored to have as part of our recruitment marketing family.

Joe Shaker Jr.

President

Joe Shaker Jr.

President

As a third-generation member of the Shaker family, Joe was raised on recruitment advertising. He describes HR communications as his passion, noting there is no greater achievement than making that connection between companies seeking the right employees and employees seeking the right opportunity. Joe officially began his career at Shaker in 2000, assisting client teams in incorporating online media and digital plans into marketing strategies. He advanced to vice president for Shaker Recruitment Consultants in 2005, directing the division’s niche job board operations. He succeeded his father, Joseph G. Shaker, to become president of Shaker Recruitment Marketing in 2016. He continues to be actively involved in business development, client relationship management, and the evaluation of emerging technologies. Joe serves on the board of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and holds a BA in communications from the University of Wisconsin.

Derek Briggs

Chief Operating Officer

Derek Briggs

Chief Operating Officer

Derek’s impressive tenure at Shaker spans nearly 20 years. Prior to Shaker, he was an actuary at Price Waterhouse. While currently serving as the agency’s COO, he also heads the Shaker Programmatic team, where he applies his actuarial expertise to our clients’ unique hiring needs and budget, ensuring that each program is customized, strategic, and nimble. His approach to programmatic uniquely positions each client to find the right fit talent as efficiently and effectively as possible. Derek holds a degree in actuarial science from the University of Illinois.

Ellen Paige

Chief Revenue Officer

Ellen Paige

Chief Revenue Officer

Ellen has more than 40 years of experience in advertising and communications, 29 of which have been devoted to her career with Shaker. After earning her bachelor’s in advertising and fine arts from the University of Illinois, Ellen took a position with a major automotive publishing firm, where she quickly advanced from graphic artist to production manager. In 1989, she joined Shaker as an account executive, where she was able to apply her creative talent and leadership abilities to win prestigious accounts and continuously advance her career. Today, Ellen leads a talented team of account professionals in ensuring proactive, consultative service to a variety of accounts. She is actively involved in strengthening our global agency relationships, to provide our customers with innovative service offerings on an international scale.

Dan Shaker

Vice President,
Innovation

Dan Shaker

Vice President,
Innovation

Coupled with a nuanced understanding of narrative, organic branding, Daniel’s design expertise and keen aesthetic sense culminate in unrivaled talent for exceptional creative work.

Now an innovator in his field, Daniel began his career at fifteen when, following in the footsteps of his family, he worked his way through Shaker’s creative department. After graduating at the top of his class with a BFA from the American Academy of Art, Daniel ventured into business for himself with the inception of his creative firm, Matte Black Studios. As one of the first creative firms to integrate responsive web design into its work, MBS excelled in innovative branding and interactive design that serviced clients from a broad range of industries. Matte Black merged with Shaker in 2015 and Daniel assumed the role of Executive Director, Creative Services. Today, Daniel’s talent and expertise support Shaker’s evolution into the digital realm.

John Graham Jr.

Vice President,
Employer Brand, Diversity & Culture

John Graham Jr.

Vice President,
Employer Brand, Diversity & Culture

John’s professional passion is helping global companies uncover who they are at their core. Through employer brand and employee value proposition development, he finds innovative ways to bring employee stories to life—work that has helped to redefine internal cultures and connect critical external talent to their dream jobs. As a content marketer, he unlocks the potential of authenticity and ensures that the right message finds the right audience, at the right time and on the right platform. As a speaker, coach and executive consultant, John has engaged audiences worldwide on diversity, inclusion and belonging, and on the future of work and the power of personal branding. In so doing, he has helped CEOs navigate diversity strategies, executives develop a more authentic voice on social media, students land their first jobs, and seasoned professionals rebrand themselves for their career journey. John earned a bachelor’s degree in African American studies and master’s degree in elementary education from Lincoln University. He holds an executive certificate in Fostering Diversity and Inclusion from Yale School of Management.

Megan Tracy

Vice President,
Global Relationships

Megan Tracy

Vice President,
Global Relationships

With over twenty years of experience in recruitment marketing, Megan works across every aspect of client development, business growth, agency education, global relations, and vendor partnerships. Building relationships has always been the cornerstone of her career, and she leverages our relationships with clients, media, technology and global partners to build solutions that enhance our clients’ employer brands, media strategies and candidate experiences. She holds a BS in Management from the AB Freeman School of Business at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA.

Elizabeth Newhart

Vice President,
Talent

Elizabeth Newhart

Vice President,
Talent

Elizabeth has nearly 20 years of experience in Human Resources, having worked in industries such as financial services, healthcare, and professional services.  Elizabeth started her HR career in Talent Development and quickly learned she was drawn to the Talent Acquisition side of HR as well.  She is passionate about building authentic and transparent cultures, working as a true HR partner to define the right blend of HR programs to meet both business and people needs. Elizabeth is also an Executive/Career Coach and has coached many leaders to make lasting change. She is adept at helping organizations define their strategic direction as well as hire and create processes for scale.  She values serving as an HR advisor to all employees.  Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a graduate of the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI).

Peter Carr

Vice President,
Client Services

Peter Carr

Vice President,
Client Services

Throughout his career, Peter has focused on developing and sustaining high-level and long-term client relationships. The key to his success is his ability to listen to client challenges, identify new marketing opportunities, introduce strategic solutions and deliver measurable results. He brings deep knowledge of employer brand activation, candidate attraction and engagement, and improving the candidate experience. Peter leads agency partnerships through a genuine approach based on immersion into their brands, cultures and industries. He holds a BA in Communications from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI.

Sara Elkins

Vice President,
Digital

Sara Elkins

Vice President,
Digital

With over 20 years in the recruitment marketing space, Sara has built and led teams of digital strategists, global client service, and media marketers. She started as an educator and quickly moved into digital training which paved the way to be an expert in our space. Since the early days of CareerMosaic to AI and beyond, she has always been listening and learning to bring the best consultative solutions to our clients. At Shaker, she leads the Digital Media and Digital Solutions teams in vetting our technology partners for our client’s global needs.

Sara has a proven track record of delivering consultative, scalable talent acquisition strategies and digital solutions to maximize business performance. As Vice President of Digital, Sara drives business growth with digital transformation initiatives, and engagement with her proven ability to develop and implement innovative solutions. Her expertise in digital marketing, data analytics, and technology has enabled her to lead teams to success in markets worldwide.

She is passionate about leveraging the latest technologies to create a seamless and engaging candidate experience, and her results-oriented approach has delivered measurable success for global brands. Sara is committed to building high-performing teams and creating a culture of innovation and collaboration. She continues to learn by researching digital techniques and embracing cutting-edge trends to approach challenges in new ways. Sara earned her Bachelor of English from North Central College and continued her education with a Master of Science in Instructional Technology.

Jimmy McCourt

Vice President,
Client Services

Jimmy McCourt

Vice President,
Client Services

Over the course of his career, Jimmy has held a variety of roles in talent acquisition, recruitment marketing, and employer branding. The common denominator among them? He always listens to his clients’ challenges, invests the time to understand the circumstances that make them unique, and thoughtfully implements solutions to sustain success and growth. Jimmy is passionate about helping employers make meaningful and lasting connections with candidates and employees. He taps his expertise in branding, marketing, and technology to help his partners understand the steps necessary to recruit and retain top talent. A student of the industry, Jimmy constantly evaluates the psychology, economy, and sociology of employment. With an emphasis on creating long-lasting relationships, Jimmy leads agency partnerships through a highly consultative, client-first approach. He holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Lia Mancini

Vice President of
Programmatic

Lia Mancini

Vice President of
Programmatic

Lia Mancini is a seasoned professional with almost two decades of experience in the Recruitment Advertising industry. Throughout her career, Lia has witnessed and adapted to the industry’s transformation from print to digital and beyond. Her expertise extends beyond digital sales, encompassing roles such as managing a network of 17 niche job boards, selling online recruitment products, overseeing technology platforms, and leading marketing campaigns. Lia was an integral part of building Shaker’s programmatic department, and currently serves as the Vice President of Shaker Programmatic.

While Lia possesses a wide range of experience, including traditional media planning and sales, employer branding, and social media marketing, she thrives in client-facing roles. She finds great satisfaction in collaborating with partner media companies and overseeing large-scale projects for clients spanning diverse industries. In her current role on the programmatic team, Lia focuses on educating clients about the advantages of data-driven management of pay-per-click budgets, assisting with technical setups, and fostering successful collaborations with media partners.

Working in a full-service agency like Shaker has provided Lia with opportunities to contribute to various projects across multiple disciplines. As a result, she has developed a dynamic skill set that allows her to tackle any challenge that comes her way with ease.

Amanda Shaker

Vice President,
Creative Services

Amanda Shaker

Vice President,
Creative Services

With over 15 years in strategic communications, Amanda has worked on a variety of industries—including online education, health care, personal care, food and beverage, and pet care—on both the agency side and in internal client roles. With a specialty in earned and digital media, Amanda is always on a quest for those storytelling moments that spark interest and engagement among a client’s targeted audiences. Amanda joined Shaker from Edelman, the world’s largest PR firm, and brings a consumer marketing lens to recruitment marketing. She earned her journalism degree in PR and advertising from the University of Wisconsin.

Join Our Team

There’s so much we can accomplish together.

Openings

Our History

Our beginnings were simple. Over 60 years ago, our founder Joseph R. Shaker saw a need and took a chance on an agency model dedicated exclusively to recruitment advertising communications.

1951

1951

Joseph R. Shaker Founded Shaker Agency, a newspaper rep firm focusing on Chicagoland newspaper help wanted classified advertising.

It's easy to walk through the forest once somebody has already cut down the trees.
Joseph R. Shaker

1960s

The company expands from rep firm to a full-service recruitment advertising agency (Shaker Advertising Agency & Classified Advertising Consultants). Moves headquarters out of the Loop and into Oak Park.

1960s
1970s

1970s

The second generation joins the business. Opens full-service offices in Florida and New Jersey.

1980s

Shaker grows its national footprint and expands globally.

1980s

1990s

Shaker creates Shaker Recruitment Consultants, a division that advises local media, predominantly newspapers, on how to remain relevant and maximize their presence in the current recruitment/talent acquisition landscape.

1990s

2000s

Shaker evolves from a newspaper media focus into a digital and creative branding powerhouse. Shaker creates the first Recruitment Trade Association (RAA).

2000s
2016

2016

Shaker acquires Chicago-based brand marketing and design firm Matte Black Studios, expanding our creative team and increasing Shaker's capabilities with boundary-pushing branding and web site services.

2010s

2016

Shaker celebrates its 65th year. The third generation leads the family business.

2018

Shaker acquires The Arland Group, a prominent recruitment marketing and communications agency based in St. Louis, advancing Shaker’s growth strategy as well as physical footprint.

1990s
2019

2019

Shaker is honored to join the exclusive recruitment marketing agency global consortium, One Agent, as the vanguard agency for North America.

What They Say

Nothing makes us prouder than the relationships we have forged with so many great clients over our 60-plus years. Thank you for your partnership and kind words. We are humbled … and continue to be energized by working with you.

Merck

We truly value Shaker’s consultative approach and complete attention to our business. We know we can always rely on them to share ever-evolving industry insights. Their specialized expertise unquestionably impacts our global recruitment marketing and TA successes.


Fran Murphy, Global Recruiting Solutions Leader, Merck

LG Electronics USA

Shaker has been instrumental in helping us to build an employment brand as strong as our consumer brand. Their creative, innovative solutions truly engage candidates. Their partnership with our North American Career portal, and the development of a global career portal supporting all LG businesses, has been invaluable.


Jason Jesunas, Head, Talent Acquisition, LG Electronics USA

Option Care

I’ve worked with Shaker for 15+ years across 3 different companies. They are extremely service-oriented, and hands-down, just a great group of people my entire team enjoys working with. They are the first and only team I rely on with my recruiting challenges.


Mike Bavaro, Vice President, HR Business Partners and Talent, Option Care

U.S. Cellular

The level of support and consultation Shaker provides is top-notch. They are an incredible and valued partner, and I would recommend them to any organization looking to take their employment brand and recruitment marketing to the next level.


Eric Clemons, Senior Manager – Employment Brand Strategies, U.S. Cellular

Ulta Beauty

Shaker is a true partner and extension of our team! Their consultative approach and recruitment expertise is invaluable to the work we do. I trust them, and know they always do what is best for OUR business.


Sean Taylor, Director of Talent Acquisition, Ulta Beauty

Cerner

Shaker has been a great partner throughout the past few years providing great insights into new industry innovations. Their team is very consultative and delivers high quality outcomes to make a positive impact on our ability to attract the best and brightest.


Troy Teague, Director, Recruiting and Recruiting Operations, Cerner

Our Pillars

Doing the right things to reach the right talent: This guiding principle is more vital than ever, given the increasing number of media, tools and technology available to employers and employees.

Shaker is on your side.
We listen to you. Carefully.
Then we consult. Thoughtfully.

We draw from a deep well of recruitment marketing options to deliver customized, user-focused communication strategies, authentic employer branding, award-winning creative, and media plans you can trust, because we are champions of your best interest.

COMPREHENSIVE

We draw from our full spectrum of services to tailor a recruitment marketing strategy to your unique needs.

CREATIVE

Engage right-fit talent in meaningful ways through authentic employer branding and compelling creative.

CONSULTATIVE

You can trust our recommendations because they are impartial and informed by deep industry experience.

CARE

A familial business model based on trust and client success means you can rely on attentive, agile service.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our Mission

Our Mission

At Shaker, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion form the cornerstone of our innovation, creativity, and ability to create positive, personal experiences for our clients, partners, and team members.

Our Commitment

Our Commitment

We understand that by leveraging our collective lived experiences, we build and maintain an environment where you and the communities we serve are seen, heard, and valued. Your unique stories, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen our ability to create all the things that make Shaker, Shaker.

Our Approach

What we do starts with you. Before we talk, we listen. Before we consult, we think … and very carefully. About the media and communications options available, and about what's the best mix for you. How? By asking the right questions.

RIGHT MESSAGE

Why should candidates consider working with you above all else? We’ll uncover your employer brand, and build it with purpose. We’ll identify how you’re different, and express it in a way that is authentic and core to who you are … to ensure your messages are true to your lived-out employee experience.

How and where should you communicate with right-fit talent? We’ll carefully consider your goals and needs against the vast array of options, and custom-develop targeted, budget-conscious strategies to reach candidates where they are. And we’ll analyze and adapt strategies based on performance against goals.

RIGHT OUTREACH
RIGHT EXPERIENCE

What do you want your candidates and employees to feel when they engage with your communications? What do you want them to do? Everything we create starts with the user in mind. We design and develop all web sites to be responsive across all devices, and totally intuitive and seamless across platforms.

Let's Shake On It

Choices, choices, choices: How do you decide what's best for you? That's why we're here. There's so much we can accomplish together.

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