We help our clients create positive change.
We deliver positive change through strategic thinking, creative execution and engagement.
Our team of talented brand thinkers, digital strategists, designers, publicists, copywriters and developers are dedicated to helping our clients develop more meaningful relationships with their customers through brand, creative and the digital channels.
William Lopez
Principal
William Lopez, Ph.D
Principal
William founded the agency in 2000. He has over 20 years of experience in marketing and PR, specializing in retail, automotive, and franchises, and has won national recognition for marketing and PR campaigns he has created. William holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and a master’s and a doctorate in Education from Northwestern University-Chicago, along with a certification in Diversity and Inclusion for Organizational Excellence from Stanford University. He gained significant marketing and PR expertise during his tenure at such noted companies as Nordstrom’s, Enterprise Car Rental, Thrifty Car Rental, Nine West, and Planet Hollywood. Working for these companies gave him an inside look at franchise-based organizations, business-to-business and business-to-consumer advertising, and large-scale marketing implementation. William also believes in giving back to his community. He currently serves as the board President for North Park Main Street and a board member for the PRSA San Diego Chapter. William was also appointed to the San Diego County Sheriff’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Council.
Critical thinker and strategist with a successful track record in producing integrated marketing programs, public relation campaigns, and brand management initiatives.
Stealthy marketing partner with experience in brand architecture that transcends cultural barriers for local, regional, or national implementation ‘branding with a cultural pulse.’ An integrator with expertise in client and agency collaboration and coordination for optimal brand activation and success.
Cross-functional leader and creative problem solver with strong skills in account management, and significant accomplishments in developing marketing and promotional programs that deliver high-ROI value in a broad array of consumer categories and industries.
Client Partner and innovation advocate relentlessly focused on the ‘consumer experience’ willing to leverage marketing\agency disciplines to solve customer unmet or unarticulated needs. Subject matter expert and cultural strategist and tactician in developing multicultural marketing and communications programs.
Boundary spanner, change agent to inspire media-neutral ideas fusing brand analytics, intuitive imagination with ingenuity to trigger transactional opportunities for through-the-line multi-channeled communication initiatives and digital campaigns along with event activation programs. Successful client engagements in hospitality, health/medical/beauty, nonprofit, law enforcement, governmental, retail, franchises, and restaurant/food-related sectors.
Jessica Bradford
Media Relations Manager
Jessica Bradford
Media Relations Manager
Jessica’s strong sense of adventure brought her halfway across the country, from Kansas City, Missouri, where she was born and raised. She packed only what fit into her mid-sized car, including her two younger sisters, and headed west for the Golden State. Having always dreamt of living in California, she enjoys the year-round perfect weather with trips to the beach, finding new places to hike, requesting patio seating at restaurants whenever available, and bringing her trusty “sidekick” (dog) Kona along for it all.
Jessica graduated from Truman State University with her BA in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Marketing and a Minor in Psychology.
While serving as the school’s Homecoming Committee public relation’s chair, she quickly discovered her interest and aptitude for communication and relationship building. Jessica further developed these skills, and discovered a hidden passion for writing in her most recent career in the event planning industry.
Being raised by a left-brain, business-minded father and a right-brain, creative-thinking mom, Jessica brings her ability to see and understand a wide array of viewpoints and is able to incorporate the best of both ways of thinking. She is beyond excited to be a part of the Alternative Strategies team and bring along her enthusiasm, desire to problem solve and her overall zest for life!
In her free time, you can find Jessica cheering on her favorite Kansas City sports teams, trying out new and often challenging (or maybe just challenging to her) recipes, working out and reading.
Mark Rogoff
Media Relations Manager
Mark Rogoff
Media Relations Manager
Mark joined Alternative Strategies in April 2022 as a Media Relations Manager, bringing more than 20 years of experience working with local, national, and international media.
The San Diego native and Scripps Ranch High School graduate worked in the baseball industry for 18 years, beginning with the hometown Padres as a member of the spirit-inducing Pad Squad. His other stops included the Boston Red Sox (where he earned a World Series ring in 2004), Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the minor-league Rochester (NY) Red Wings in various public relations roles.
While baseball is often considered to be America’s National Pastime, Mark believes dining out is deserving of the same moniker and is excited to be working with so many great restaurants and breweries. While ballgames are a timeless tradition, his ideal night out is a nice dinner with family or friends.
Mark considers himself a writer first and foremost. His passion for penning words came to fruition while attending a journalism summer camp at Northwestern University’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism, where he studied media and integrated marketing communications prior to his senior year of high school. He went on to attend Boston University, where he earned a B.S. in Communications. Mark is well versed in various styles of writing. He has even taken a crack at song writing with his tune, “This Isn’t A Love Song (Curved Pinkies)” that was professionally recorded by a local artist and later turned into a music video.
Mark enjoys listening to Country music, going on Caribbean cruises, and taking long walks on the beach (no joke!). He and his wife Marisa reside in Mission Valley. They were married in February 2022 at a winery in Temecula.
Charlotte Mahns
Media Relations Coordinator
Charlotte Mahns
Media Relations Coordinator
Charlotte joins Alternative Strategies all the way from the north of Germany. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations. During her studies, she focused on creating opportunities that would allow her to work internationally in the future and pursued internships and work experiences that would help establish global contacts. This included an internship with an international lifestyle agency, and a travel company.
For the past two years, Charlotte has worked as a PR Manager in the fashion industry, where she specialized in strategic communications and media relations. As a San Diego newbie, Charlotte is enjoying the sunshine and the ability to go to the beach anytime she wants. She is excited to bring her experience in various industries and communication expertise to her role with Alternative Strategies.
Alyssa Hiestand
Media Relations Coordinator
Alyssa Hiestand
Media Relations Coordinator
Growing up, Alyssa’s favorite thing to do was read. Anywhere her parents would let her, she could be found curled up with a good book. Throughout the years, this love for reading ignited a passion for writing that has stuck with her ever since. The effect that words can have on people has always amazed her.
Born and raised in Santa Clarita, California, just outside of Los Angeles, Alyssa enjoyed the best of both worlds with a comfortable suburban town and bustling city just a short drive away. Living so close to one of the most popular destinations in the world, an adventure was always just a day away! Whether slurping noodles at a new ramen restaurant, spending the day strolling through The Getty, or attending Lakers games with her parents, the idea that “there’s always something to do” was a way of life for her.
When it came time for college, Alyssa knew two things: she wanted to write and she wanted to find a new city to explore! Alyssa attended San Diego State University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Studies with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Recreation and Tourism Management.
For Alyssa, San Diego was love at first sight, and she is positive it’s her forever home. In her free time, she loves to explore the food and nightlife scene, see new movies and go thrift shopping.
Alyssa is elated to be joining the Alt Strat family as a Media Relations Coordinator and can’t wait for what’s to come!
Alejandra Favela
Lead Graphic Designer
Alejandra Favela
Lead Graphic Designer
Since a very young age, Alejandra has had a passion for creating art. And it was in college when she developed a new interest in design, as it amazed her that design can be found in everything we perceive. It was then when she realized graphic design was a profession that cohesively mixed both aspirations, and she set out to graduate from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design.
Alejandra is originally from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, but she has lived in San Diego for almost half of her life, trying to pursue her American Dream. Even though she loves her country, and still visits, she believes this was a better path for her. Another one of her passions is food; eating and cooking new recipes, trying to create something equally delightful and creative. She also enjoys traveling to explore new cultures through their flavors and their traditions. When traveling is not an option, you can find her trying new places to eat and visiting museums on both sides of the border.
Juan F. Blanco
Web Designer
Juan F. Blanco
Web Designer
Juan Fran Blanco (a.k.a. John White, as he’s known by his American friends) comes from almost 6,000 miles away to Alternative Strategies in order to grow up professionally as a graphic designer and give a helpful hand to the team in everything he can possibly do.
Originally from Málaga, Spain, he has a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising and Public Relations and has specialized in Graphic and Web design with two Master’s degrees. Graphic design has always been his passion, even though he didn’t know that what he liked to do in his free time while he was in high school was called “graphic design.”
He worked on the East Coast before, and has a passion for America’s multiple ways of life. He admits he has a big ‘traveling addiction’ and loves exploring new places he has never been before.
Rita Yarsinsky
Client Relations Manager
Rita Yarsinsky
Client Relations Manager
Rita was born in Philadelphia and raised in the Philadelphia suburbs. Growing up, she developed a love for the arts. She attended Blue Bell School of Dance for 15 years, and was on The Pennsylvania State University’s Dance Team. She also participated in her high school’s chorus and theatrical productions. Rita loves attending Broadway shows, trying new restaurants, interior decorating and celebrating the holidays. She relocated to San Diego in November 2020.
Rita has five years of professional marketing experience. While in college, she held two internships with the television station QVC, one of which was doing social media marketing. Most recently, she was a Marketing Coordinator for Sodexo, where she drove participation and sales growth for a corporate client’s food & beverage operations.
Rita is excited to join the Alternative Strategies team as a Client Relations Manager, and to build connections with her colleagues and clients!
Jake Theoldore
Social Media Manager
Jake Theoldore
Social Media Manager
Jake Theoldore is a native Southern Californian, born and raised in San Diego, CA. He grew up loving baseball, the great outdoors, and at a spry young age immersed himself into the restaurant scene at his Uncle’s restaurant; Hash House A Go Go. Following his passion for food, he traveled to Philadelphia, where he attended the Art Institute’s Culinary Art program and later gained an educational background in marketing.
Jake’s introduction to marketing began when he owned his own concepts and operated some of the largest restaurant brands in California. His hands-on experience with in-house marketing showed him how the modern trend of the hospitality industry “lives and breathes” marketing. Jake has an eclectic social media background revolving around restaurant concepts such as fine dining, brunch, QSRs and bars. Now, Jake holds a social media position at Alternative Strategies, helping businesses elevate their social media footprint and drive results.
In his free time, Jake enjoys taking his family to the dog park or playing dress-up with his two little girls. He loves to cook and enjoys playing with Spanish, Asian and American cuisines to create delicious new dishes. Specializing in hybrid cuisine, Jake’s favorite food to make is “Mexican Sushi!”.
Irene Anastasiadi
Content Manager/Social Media Coordinator
Irene Anastasiadi
Content Manager / Social Media Coordinator
Irene Anastasiadi is a Greek national residing in London. She is an experienced Fashion Assistant at British Vogue and possesses a passion for fashion and an eye for detail. With two years of social media management experience at Alternative Strategies, Irene has honed her skills in the restaurant industry.
Irene holds a Master of Arts in Design Management from the London College of Communication and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Athens University of Economics and Business, with a major in Marketing. These diverse experiences have enabled her to build a strong background in marketing and design management, with a focus on social media content management, paid ad management, graphic design, brand strategy, influencer marketing, and PR coordination. All of these skills have prepared her to excel in the dynamic and fast-paced environment of the restaurant industry at Alternative Strategies.
Outside of her professional life, Irene is an enthusiastic traveler with a desire to make a difference in the world. She has volunteered for several social initiatives, where she has engaged in creative activities for children and taught English in primary schools. Her most memorable volunteering experience was in India, where she spent over two months making a positive impact.
Irene is passionate about using her expertise in social media management to drive success for Alternative Strategies and its clients.
Sandra Franke
Social Media / Marketing Coordinator
Sandra Franke
Social Media / Marketing Coordinator
Whether it’s photography, cooking or abstract art – Sandra has always had a hands-on approach to life. Growing up in Berlin, Germany, the hustle and bustle of the city created the perfect environment for her to explore those creative avenues and to work with a wide variety of people.
With a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Marketing, Sandra’s people-oriented approach led her to create customer-centric marketing strategies for manufacturing companies in the U.S. and Germany, as well as an eCommerce start-up.
Sandra has a passion for connecting brands with their clients and creating long-lasting and meaningful relationships through social media and content creation.
Her studies in international business originally brought her to San Diego, where it was love at first sight. During that time Sandra started to explore the area’s wide variety of local restaurants and rock-climbing gyms.
Walter Wilson
Photographer
Walter Wilson
Photographer
Walter Wilson is currently photographing restaurants and commercial work out of his hometown of San Diego where he lives with his beautiful wife Ashley and English Bulldog Bruno.
In addition to Alternative Strategies clients, he has also shot for many other brands- including Jack in the Box, Rubio’s, Nike, LG Samsung, and Nixon.
Walter’s work has been featured in blogs, publications, and magazines ranging from The Knot, INSTYLE magazine, Bridal Guide Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings, Style me Pretty, San Diego Weddings, Wine Country Weddings, Pacific Magazine, Sonoma Weddings Magazine and many more.