Executive Team
John Bowser
President/CEO
With over 20 years of valuable media experience and key positions including Senior Account Management to Business Strategy and Innovation, John leads the Target Media team with a customer/client first approach that is always focused on delivering value. From Traditional straight through to Digital and Emerging Media – John brings decades of experience as a marketing leader helping to strengthen a brand’s relationship with its desired persona to achieve optimal results! His experience ranges across all major categories, working with Finance, Retail/CPG, Education, Entertainment, Technology, Communications, Home Services and Automotive. John continues to lead the company’s direction and growth from a Regional, National and International strategic partnership perspective. His decades of experience as a proactive marketing strategist has provided numerous clients with the ability to build out effective media strategies and investments that continue to drive brand success and sustain growth!
- What do you want clients to know about you and your strengths?
- I understand the power of strategic partnerships and personal relationships throughout the media industry and why it’s important to show up and give it 100% every day to help our clients WIN!
- What motivates you to work hard?
- Knowing that we have an opportunity as a team to help our client partners impact their business in a positive way and help them achieve true engagement and optimal results with their target audience!
- How’d you get started in the industry?
- I began my career in the marketing department at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts working with Hershey Park, Arena/Stadium and Hershey Bears Hockey team.
- What’s 1-2 fun facts you want people to know?
- Brush with greatness – met Tom Brady when he was a backup QB at University of Michigan before he became the GOAT! I won the PA State High School Baseball Championship my Senior year of high school.
Garey Bell
Chief Growth & Innovation Officer
Garey brings over 20 years of invaluable sales expertise to Target Media. Having started his career in traditional publishing at powerhouse companies such as Conde Nast and American Express Publishing, he quickly realized that to help his clients remain successful, it was critical to become a subject matter expert across multiple disciplines, embracing the evolving world of ad tech and digital marketing. This pivot has allowed Garey to advise his clients on best practices ranging from brand health, consumer loyalty, performance marketing, and omnichannel strategy designed to drive ROI and profitability. Garey’s ability to listen and discover continues to make him a trusted advisor, always embracing a “client first” mentality.
- What do you want clients to know about you and your strengths?
- Relationships still matter! They are the backbone of any successful partnership. It allows for open communication, collaboration and trust, no matter what the objective at hand. We are an extension of their team.
- What motivates you to work hard?
- Creativity and innovation.
- What is your favorite parts of the job?
- The opportunity to create innovative, strategic and thought-provoking partnerships designed to help our clients problem solve.
- How did you get started in the industry?
- I worked for my father who owned a boutique advertising agency. I was tasked with overseeing all facets of the business from account management to media buying and strategy.
- What’s 1-2 fun facts you want people to know?
- I am a Dad to 18-year-old twins, a boy and a girl. I made a cameo on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Linda Parrotta
Vice President Strategic Engagement
- What do you want clients to know about you and your strengths?
- Excellent listener, great at getting to the root cause and understanding what your ideal customer looks like.
- What motivates you to work hard?
- Results! I like to see the wins add up.
- What are your favorite parts of the job?
- Identifying your customer and then creating the proper strategy to reach them!
- How did you get started in the industry?
- Started my career as an admin assistant for the president of an ad agency, I was hooked from day one!
- What’s 1-2 fun facts you want people to know?
- I was a walk-on for the University of Florida Varsity Bowling team and I have been told I look like Joy Behar!
Kyle Whisler
VP Media Services & Solutions
Kyle has vast national and international advertising and agency management experience. From chasing down media invoices, to VP Media Operations, to developing vertical-specific advertising networks, he has worn just about every agency hat. In his spare time over 25+ years, Kyle has worked with Fortune 500s, SMBs, governments, political candidates and issue/advocacy groups to build Traditional and Non-Traditional media plans to achieve communication goals. He graduated from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. Degree in Communications Media. Kyle is responsible for traditional and digital media research, media planning and placement and strategic planning.
- What do you want clients to know about you and your strengths?
- I have researched, planned and placed some sort of Traditional or Non-Traditional media in all U.S. and Canadian DMAs, and over 30 countries, including China. I have issues with the word “No” or “you can’t do that” in a business environment. If it is beneficial to achieving client or coworker goals, then it can be figured out.
- What motivates you to work hard?
- Self-motivated professional who enjoys working collaboratively with clients and coworkers to drive successful outcomes.
- What are your favorite parts of the job?
- Meeting, working and developing relationships with people from all over the world.
- How’d you get started in the industry?
- By accident. I was sent on a Graduate School Internship and within 5-minutes of sitting at a desk I was availing stations on behalf of an incumbent U.S. Senator. By end of day, I was offered a full-time media planning and buying position at an industry leading agency.
- What’s 1-2 fun facts you want people to know?
- I enjoy time well-spent with family, friends, and furry friends.
Rebecca Allen
Director of Sales & Partnerships
With over a decade of sales leadership and marketing strategy experience, Rebecca Allen connects brands with audiences through data-driven, performance-focused media solutions. Before joining Target Media, she served as Sales Manager at Effectv (the Comcast Cable Advertising division), leading cross-market initiatives, implementing innovative strategies, and delivering significant revenue growth.
At Target Media, Rebecca drives new business development and strategic partnerships across travel, home services, retail, healthcare, and multicultural markets. Known for her collaborative leadership and passion for aligning client needs with measurable solutions, she plays a key role in positioning Target Media for continued growth.
Outside of work, Rebecca is an avid reader who hosts a literary podcast, enjoys gardening and traveling, welcomes international students into her home, and volunteers in schools and animal rescue—living her belief that growth and connection thrive both professionally and personally.
- What do you want clients to know about you and your strengths?
- People first — authentic relationships come first, then being a partner who is honest, forward-thinking, and brings value to every interaction. When you see my name pop up in an email, text, or at your door, I want you to feel supported and confident that we’re about to do great work together.
- What motivates you to work hard?
- Early in my career, a mentor taught me to “sign her name with excellence” in every interaction. I’ve carried that with me ever since. Whatever I do, I want my work to reflect both my name and my client’s name with excellence every time.
- What are your favorite parts of the job?
- Meeting new people is a favorite, but I also love troubleshooting, analyzing, and building creative strategies that solve business needs. Every vertical is different — keeping up with trends and technology keeps the work exciting. I’m also passionate about learning and sharing ideas with colleagues and partners.
- How did you get started in the industry?
- At 24, I attended my first job fair and struck up a conversation with someone at the local newspaper. After a two-hour conversation, I was offered the job that night. From the moment I stepped on the sales floor, I knew I’d found my career. Even as products and practices evolve, my love for sales, people, and the variety of each day hasn’t changed.
- What’s 1-2 fun facts you want people to know?
- I’m rarely an arm’s length away from a tube of Chapstick or lip gloss; I stay prepared and stocked. I tell myself at night when I’m wanting to stay up, that if I fall asleep now, I can wake up and have coffee! Gets me motivated every time!
Shandin Manning
Sr. Director Media Investment
Shandin Manning is a seasoned media leader with 20 years of experience developing and executing strategic campaigns. She has worked in all faucets of media including agency, client side, and media partners giving her a full perspective of the industry. She is well versed in both digital and traditional media with a data driven and innovative mindset. She fosters strong relationships with her clients and demonstrates effective collaboration with her team. She is known for approaching every situation with honesty and a high sense of integrity while consistently delivering thoughtful ideas and solutions.
- What do you want clients to know about you and your strengths?
- I want clients to know that I’m dependable and I pride myself on effective communication, attention to detail, and a proven work ethic.
- What motivates you to work hard?
- I am motivated by providing value, supporting and mentoring my team, and setting a positive example of leadership.
- What are your favorite parts of the job?
- I particularly enjoy the true blend of art and science that media requires as a craft. It allows me to be creative and think outside the box, but I also use data and analytics to inform my decisions and approaches.
- How'd you get started in the industry?
- I started as a media coordinator at a large agency in a brand-new city knowing no one and with no family or friends nearby. Despite this, I was able to make my way in a big city and establish my career showing my fierce independence and resilience that I carry with me to this day.
- What's 1-2 fun facts you want people to know?
- If I am not planning or buying media, you can find me on the tennis court. I play year-round and love every second on competing and the bond I have with my teammates. Otherwise, I am a proud member of my son’s baseball family and spend many nights and weekends cheering from the sidelines.