Who We Are
Rick Kupchella | Founding Partner and President
rick@bringmethenews.com
Rick Kupchella has worked as an investigative reporter and television news anchor in Minneapolis and St. Paul for more than 20 years. He worked eight years before that – in New York, Washington, D.C., Michigan and Kentucky. Winner of more than a dozen Emmys, he’s also been recognized repeatedly by the New York International Film Festival, the “Best of Gannett,” the Edward R. Murrow Awards and the Eric Sevareid Awards (presented by the Minnesota Broadcasters Association). Rick has also served as president of the Minnesota chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, and worked on campaigns to advance journalism at the state capital and Supreme Court. At BringMeTheNews, he continues to produce news stories of his own and works to advance journalism by helping the public find the best news stories in the state – every day.
Don Smithmier | Founding Partner
don@bringmethenews.com
Don was an early-stage employee and ultimately Vice President at Capella University (NSDQ: CPLA), a fully-online, accredited university. During his 14 years at Capella, Don held a succession of Marketing, Technology and Business leadership roles and was recognized as a pioneer in online advertising and the innovative use of web technologies. Don is a winner of Twin Cities Business Magazine’s “40 Under 40” and founder of two successful start-ups, including GoKart Labs, the web design and development group which built BMTN. Don earned his MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.
Tom Elko | Managing Editor
tom@bringmethenews.com
Tom Elko is an environmental journalist and new media veteran who has been covering Minnesota for the past four years. A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in political science, he covered politics, the environment and technology for the Minnesota Independent. In 2008, he covered the U.S. Senate election between Al Franken and Norm Coleman for the ground-breaking video-journalism organization, The UpTake. Tom is a former fellow of the Center for Independent Media and the Knight School of Environmental Journalism's Great Lakes Journalism Training Institute. As News Director of BringMeTheNews, he focuses on ensuring the highest-quality news and information available is distributed as widely as possible.
Mary Fischer | Operations Director
mary@bringmethenews.com
Mary Fischer has spent the last 20 years in product development, strategy, marketing and operations leadership for various companies in the Minneapolis area. Mary received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Dakota where she is active on the College of Business and Public Administration Alumni Advisory Council and earned the Young Alumni Achievement Award. Mary also holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas. She is also active in her community as an executive board member of the Ordway Circle of Stars, the volunteer arm of the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. As Director of Operations for BringMeTheNews, Mary is focused on company growth through introduction of new vertical markets and geographical expansion.
Taylor Carik | Client Content Manager
taylor@bringmethenews.com
Taylor Carik is a producer, freelance writer, blogger and consultant. His blog, mediation, has been frequently noted by Twin Cities publications, including "Best Local Blog" by City Pages in 2008. Taylor was also co-nominated for a Regional Emmy Award for his work on the Flak Radio podcast and won a Regional Emmy as managing producer of Metromix Twin Cities. As Client Content Manager of BringMeTheNews, he works with sponsors and partners to develop effective sales and marketing material for the different but integrated contexts of the Web.
Amy Hockert | Anchor
amy@bringmethenews.com
Amy Hockert is a Minnesota native and Emmy Award-winning journalist, with 15 years experience as a reporter and anchor, including six years in the Twin Cities. These days, Amy is running her own media consulting company, SmartMouth Strategies. She conducts media training and presentation coaching for CEOs, authors, small business owners and politicians, among others. Amy joins her good friend and former co-anchor, Rick Kupchella, in reporting news in the afternoons on the growing network of BringMeTheNews radio stations.
Laura Cohen | Development Manager
laura@bringmethenews.com
Laura has been working in sales & sponsorship development in the Twin Cities market for about 15 years. She spent a decade with The Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association as Director of Sponsorships – focused on new business development and creating strategic partnerships/sponsorships with Fortune 100 & 500 companies. Most recently at MSP Communications Laura launched a new-to-market leading city publication and developed new business and marketing opportunities for MSP custom publishing clients.
