About Ellen Graf-Martin

As the Managing Director of Graf-Martin Communications, Ellen Graf-Martin brings to the table eleven years of experience in marketing and publicity as well as a number of years of ministry and missions involvement.

Ellen has always been a voracious reader; one of her first loves was the written word.  Ellen started out her career in book publishing, sales and marketing in diverse ministry roles with OM Literature. Her first marketing projects included the globally-recognized, best-selling book, Operation World.

Ellen worked for Canada’s largest national inspirational book distributor as Manager of Media & Consumer Relations, initiating and developing communications and promotions strategies for top-level authors and publishing brands. Ellen has arranged national Canadian campaigns for authors such as Max Lucado, Dr. Kevin Leman, Dr. Gary Chapman, “The Royal Chef” Darren McGrady, Dr. Barry Sears, Marcus Buckingham and Laurie Beth Jones.

With a passion for equipping the church, missions and discipleship, Ellen has worked as a marketing and resource consultant for several national and international ministries.

An avid coffee lover, aspiring chef and creative craft designer born and raised on Vancouver Island, BC, Ellen now lives with her husband Dan in Elmira, Ontario. A strong commitment to personal and professional growth and excellence means that Ellen puts her heart into whatever she does. 

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About Tim Underwood

As the Marketing, Media, PR, & Communications Manager at Graf-Martin Communications, Tim brings over seven years of experience in the book marketing, over 15 years of business management experience, as well as over 20 years of ministry leadership and staff roles.

Tim holds a BSc in biochemistry, an MBA in marketing and management, and an honours certificate in inbound marketing (social media) with over 14 years of marketing experience in many professional situations and different industries. He has had nine years of experience in the publishing industry presenting, promoting, & positioning publishers, best-selling authors, and their products to retailers and consumers.

He is passionate both about connecting resources to needs and about research, which have become threads through his personal life and career. He has a strong commitment to personal and professional development which has lead him to reading, studying, and formal education. 

Most recently, Tim worked with RGM Marketing as Senior Brand Manager and Channel Marketing Manager, designing and developing communications and promotions strategies for top-level authors and publishing brands.

He has developed and implemented marketing campaigns for authors and publishing brands such as Max Lucado, John C Maxwell, Kevin Leman, Stormie Omartian, Ted Dekker, Stephen Lawhead, John Eldredge, Billy Graham, Charles R Swindoll, Beth Moore, Rick Warren, Gary Chapman, Sara Evans, Robin McGraw, Denise Jackson, Barry Sears, Marcus Buckingham, Jeff Foxworthy, Stephen Covey, Donald Trump, Hugs books, and many others. This has involved being a product expert, pricing specialist, pricing negotiation, and account manager of the brands. He also managed a creative (print and web) media team and designed and implemented promotions specific for various retail sales channels, customer groupings, and consumers.

He always has dozens of books on the go at one time, has also been an avid reader and frequent buyer at bookstores. Born and raised in BC, lived many years on the prairies, traveled extensively, Tim has called Waterloo, Ontario home since 1992.  He enjoys cooking and loves a great cup of coffee. In addition to reading, his hobbies include research, IT, and collecting & listening to music.

He has a keen interest and ability in competitive analysis, research, marketing research, e-marketing, social media marketing, and emerging technology.  He keeps updated on new trends and technologies in web 2.0, web 3.0, RSS, search engine optimization, website development, and social media/micro-media monitoring. You can find Tim at Twitter, Facebook, GooglePlus and Linked-In

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About Julie Warkentin

Julie Warkentin is Marketing Assistant and Special Markets Consultant. In this role, Julie provides support for our marketing and publicity campaigns and will be assisting ministries, organizations and other special markets customers across Canada in selecting the best available resources from Baker Publishing Group and Thomas Nelson Publishers as well as other sales initiatives.

Customer Service has been at the core of every position Julie has ever held. In both non-profit and corporate environments, she has learned to assist clients and her co-workers in getting the job done effectively and efficiently. She spent 11 years at R.G. Mitchell Family Books and RGM Distribution in a variety of roles including Inside Sales, Retail Management, Administration, and Supervision. She is working toward her Business Diploma at Conestoga College on a part-time basis.

About Melody Reese

Melody Reese joins the Graf-Martin team as our Publicity Coordinator, specializing in connecting clients and life-changing products with media organizations across Canada to expand their awareness and brand recognition.  She will be introducing new resources and making links between client’s needs and our range of products and solutions.

Melody brings to her role great enthusiasm, resourcefulness and considerable experience managing the distinctive needs of a diverse customer base.  Her experience ranges from six years developing dental patient management and care, serving as supervisor of a busy Christian retail store and to success in providing customer care at a large national corporation.  Melody has the ability to respond to the various requirements of each individual client and organization.  As a caregiver at heart, she enjoys the challenge of understanding each situation and finding creative solutions.

Melody has participated in many leadership roles in ministry & her local church.  She has served in women’s ministries and Bible study leader, as a youth sponsor, planned numerous bus trips for ladies to women’s conferences, participated in music & congregational worship and has a passion for teaching & equipping women. Having successfully raised two children into their teen years, she continues to multitask and organize a busy household. 

About Paola Di Clemente

Joining our team in May 2012, Paola Di Clemente is our Publicity and Marketing Specialist.

Paola works alongside Ellen and Tim, contributing to marketing and PR strategy development and implementation. In this role, Paola is involved in social media strategy, website administration, media relations, copy writing, project coordination and other strategy implementation.

In this role Paola specializes in connecting clients and life-changing products with mainstream media organizations across Canada to expand their awareness and brand recognition. She introduces new resources and makes links between client’s needs and our range of marketing opportunities.

Paola holds a post-graduate certificate in Public Relations from Humber College as well as an H.B.A in English and Communications studies from McMaster University.

Her past employment experience ranges from working at a busy retail book store, holding a customer service role at a large national corporation and holding a marketing and administrative coordinator position at an independently-owned day spa. Paola also volunteers her time as a member of the Communications Committee for a Canadian charity which serves the impoverished in Guatemala.

Connect with Paola on LinkedIn here.