JOE BOCK

coo & partner

Joe is responsible for daily operations, legal affairs, marketing, sales, team management, and working with the CEO in strategic development. Prior to joining NMG, Joe led marketing and e-commerce efforts for Castle Resorts & Hotels, and Mesa Airlines, Inc., dba go!, where he held the role of chief marketing officer from the company's start in 2006 through its first five years. Before moving to Hawaii, Joe served as in-house counsel for Mesa Air Group, Inc. in Phoenix as a member of the State Bar of Arizona.

Joe is currently a director and president of Sales & Marketing Executives Honolulu and a director of Hawaii Publishers Association, Make-a-Wish Hawaii Young Professionals Board, and Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation. Joe regularly volunteers for non-profit organizations and has also recently served on the boards or committees of American Heart Association of Hawaii and Gregory House Programs. He received a degree in journalism from Texas A&M University and holds a J.D. from the University of Houston.

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JASON CUTINELLA

ceo & founder

Jason Cutinella got his start in the media world at McCann Erickson Worldwide as a media buyer for Sony Pictures. As someone who is always looking for the next big challenge, Jason started to think of what he could do next. That challenge turned out to be working on the client side at 550 Madison Avenue in New York, which many know as Sony Music International. In 2004, Jason relocated to Hawaii, where he earned a master’s degree in communication at Hawaii Pacific University.

With a passion for marketing and brand development, and a vision for changing the way media is done in Hawaii, Jason launched Nella Media Group in 2009. Jason is a visionary and is continually working for the strategic growth of NMG. In his capacity as CEO, Jason continues to push the boundaries of innovation in today’s media market.

Stay humble and always move forward...

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MICHELLE GANEKU

designer

Michelle’s ideology of making one's own luck contributes to her work ethic and plays a substantial part in her daily activities. She considers failed experiments and hapless situations to be the most valuable, enabling her to extract opportunities from negatives.
As a designer, Michelle works to best frame and showcase the content produced by NMG and its contributors. Fresh to the design industry, she began as an intern at NMG shortly after earning her bachelor of fine arts degree from University of Hawaii.

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CARRIE SHULER

marketing & creative coordinator

Carrie came to Hawaii by way of the scorched deserts of Arizona on a tennis scholarship to Hawaii Pacific University. In an effort to explore a higher frequency of aesthetics she has lived and worked in New York City as a writer and model.Carrie brings to NMG her unique landscape of descriptive writing skills, athletics, and an appreciation for novelty. An active modeling career keeps her close to the artistic and creative heavyweights in the region. It's not all skin-deep though:  Carrie is currently completing her master’s degree in communications at HPU.

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CHELSEA TSUCHIDA

marketing & advertising executive

Humbled by her travels abroad and inspired by a renewed appreciation of Hawaii, Chelsea returned home after graduating with bachelors degrees in communication studies and English literature from the University of Puget Sound. After working for two years in Honolulu as a publishers’ assistant and gaining valuable experience in retail sales, news & feature writing and event coordination, Chelsea supports NMG clients and company growth through her role as marketing and advertising executive. 
A dancer from the age of four and a self-proclaimed bookworm, Chelsea enjoys being active as much as she enjoys reading a good book. She now volunteers for Dancers Unlimited and also volunteers and writes as a contributor for the blog for Hawaii Fashion Month.

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OUR STORY

Launched in 2009, Nella Media Group (NMG) began as the publisher of an urban newspaper for Honolulu’s Chinatown district. From these humble beginnings, NMG has grown to be a media business leader for the Pacific region.  

NMG is committed to developing unique editorial and photographic content for its readers and clients through licensing programs, custom publications, and digital media.  

With a quickly growing team and over 8 million annual impressions, NMG reaches a wide range of audiences on a national and international level.

mission

To connect travelers with authentic experiences through today’s media.

VISION

To be a global leader in content development that prompts understanding of cultures and resonates with travelers while enhancing our partner’s brands.

WHAT WE DO

NMG currently produces a variety of editorial content through feature stories, articles, styling, and photography. NMG’s content is distributed through licensing programs, in-house publications, and custom publications.

NMG also serves as a representative for Ink, the leader in travel media with 31 international titles.  Among others, Ink publishes United Airlines’ in-flight magazine Hemispheres and first-class publication, Rhapsody, as well as American Airlines’ American Way magazine, first-class title Celebrated Living, and Spanish and Portuguese language Nexos.

our team

JASON
CUTINELLA
CEO / Founder

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Jason Cutinella of Nella Media Group

JASON CUTINELLA

ceo & founder
Joe Bock of Nella Media Group

JOE BOCK

coo & partner
Lisa Yamada of Nella Media Group

LISA YAMADA

evp & editorial director / partner
Gary Payne of Nella Media Group

GARY PAYNE

vp business development
Jill Miyashiro of Nella Media Group

JILL MIYASHIRO

operations director
Keely Bruns of Nella Media Group

KEELY BRUNS

marketing & advertising director
Mike Wiley of Nella Media Group

MIKE WILEY

group publisher
Anna Harmon of Nella Media Group

ANNA HARMON

managing editor

CHELSEA TSUCHIDA

marketing & advertising executive
Ara Feducia of Nella Media Group

ARA FEDUCIA

arts & culture director
Aly Ishikuni of Nella Media Group

ALY ISHIKUNI

stylist
John Hook of Nella Media Group

JOHN HOOK

senior staff photographer

MICHELLE GANEKU

designer

CARRIE SHULER

marketing & creative coordinator

through the years

2014

January – ROOM+SERVICE is published, and adds Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, The Modern Honolulu, Vive Hotel Waikiki, Hotel Lanai, Kaanapali Alii, and Classic Resorts to its list of distribution partners.

February – Incentient names NMG as its official sales representative to the state of Hawaii. Hawaii Opera Theater announces NMG as sales representative for Aria, the HOT program. 

March – Gray Line Hawaii magazine launches.

April – Kīkaha magazine for Island Air launches.

May – Lei, a Hawaii LGBT travel magazine, launches.

2013

January – ROOM+SERVICE is published, and adds Aqua Hotels & Resorts, Waikiki Parc Hotel, and The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows to its list of distribution partners. It now reaches over 2.5 million Hawaii visitors.

February – Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) names NMG as creative and marketing partner.

April – NMG receives Pele ADDY® "Best of Show in Design" innov8.

May – Disney’s The Lion King names NMG as publisher of its playbill.

June – Ink names NMG as sales representative.

August – Foundry, the Journal for Our Kaka’ako, launches.

2012

January – NMG launches the in-room publication ROOM + SERVICE with partners Castle Resorts & Hotels, Hotel Equus, Marina Tower Hotel, and Hotel Renew.

April – NMG receives two Pele Gold Regional ADDY® Awards.

July – Flux Hawaii, founded by Lisa Yamada, joins NMG.

2011

April – NMG receives a Pele Silver ADDY Award, executes strategic development plan with contracts for the first issue of ROOM+SERVICE.

2010

March – NMG receives a Pele Silver ADDY Award, focuses on perfection of innov8 magazine and strategic development.

2009

January – Jason leaves his kitchen table for Honolulu's Chinatown neighborhood to open the first Nella Media Group office and the journey begins. Remember where you started...

March -  Chinatown Newspaper is launched, highlighting the best Chinatown has to offer residents and visitors.

June - NMG launches innov8 magazine, the in-flight magazine for go! Mokulele Airlines.

NELLA MEDIA GROUP © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2014

GARY PAYNE

vp business development

As a lifelong entrepreneur, Gary has experience in all aspects of building, developing, and managing corporations. His career began with running an IT department for an investment firm. Within three years, he was responsible for its nationwide print and television advertising campaigns. Gary’s first company was acquired by an international firm, which then provided capital funding in order to conduct technical and market-share acquisitions. As the vice president of business development, Gary was responsible for introducing new technologies to the corporation and customer base. 

Gary is passionate about creating opportunities for others. Seeing those he mentors succeed in the business world brings him great personal satisfaction.

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LISA YAMADA

vp &  editorial director / partner

After receiving a degree in journalism from Pepperdine University, Lisa returned to the islands where she was born and raised only to be faced with a dismal media landscape. In search of perspective, Lisa explored the overseas locales of Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. Seeking to explore stories untold within her own culture and seeing the opportunity for a quality lifestyle publication within the Hawaii market, Lisa launched FLUX Hawaii in 2009.

Today, Lisa is the editorial director for Nella Media Group, where she is responsible for overseeing the company’s entire portfolio of publications and strives daily to provide new perspectives to locals, visitors, and beyond.

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JILL MIYASHIRO

operations director

In her position as operations director, Jill works with the COO in all operational divisions of the company, including advertising, distribution, finance, human resources, legal affairs, and production. 

Having been lucky enough to spend her life between Chicago and Hawaii, Jill has the perfect mix of big city ambition and island heart. She describes herself as being blessed with many rewarding accomplishments and opportunities to work with a wide variety of amazing people, some of whom are the most talented individuals who have given her direction and inspiration. Her ability to learn from everyone and take something positive away from each challenging experience has enabled her to grow into an effective leader.

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KEELY BRUNS

vp marketing & advertising

Keely is responsible for NMG’s marketing and advertising efforts and the management of the company’s national and key accounts. Keely joined NMG following an outstanding career in advertising with KGMB/Hawaii News Now and Cox Media Group Hawaii. Experienced at recruiting consumers, launching product, and building brand awareness, Keely’s work ethic and drive to exceed goals have contributed to her achievements. Keely received a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from Indiana University. Combining her diverse background in marketing with her love for the ocean and environment, Keely’s passion is to educate and inspire people to live a sustainable lifestyle and choose brands making the least environmental impact.

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MIKE WILEY

group publisher

Mike brings to NMG over 15 years sales management experience and a detailed understanding of how to drive incremental revenue through sales programs and customer support. Mike is responsible for developing company sales strategies and products while leading the sales team through the company’s continued growth. 

Mike most recently served as director of major and national accounts for The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, where he was responsible for leading personal and team sales for online and print publications. He received his bachelor’s degree in communication arts and science from Western Illinois University, is a past president of the Honolulu Executive Association, and is a past board member of Sales and Marketing Executives International - Honolulu, American Advertising Federation, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, and Honolulu Executives Association.

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BRYAN BUTTELING 

a.e. & business development

Born and raised on the island of Maui and the son of one of Hawaii’s top hotel sales executives, Bryan was exposed to the tourism industry at an early age. Bryan brings to NMG fifteen years of work experience from the hospitality sector, most recently serving as client services and sales manager for Hotel Renew, a Waikiki boutique property. Seeking to expand his horizons, Bryan left the hospitality industry and sought to join the NMG team, where he focuses on client relations and business development programs.

Bryan is heavily involved in the Hawaii startup scene, currently serving on the board of advisors for the BoxJelly, a Honolulu co-working space, and dedicating his time as the Head Organizer for Startup Weekend Hawaii. Bryan holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and international business from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

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ANNA HARMON

managing editor

Combining an eye for detail and a passion for the written word, Anna Harmon is managing editor at NMG. Before joining the team in 2014, she freelanced for local publications as a copy editor and writer, including FLUX Hawaii, where she wrote about the O‘ahu slaughterhouse, alohawear, and what it’s like to be a Honolulu flower girl. For NMG, she covers the expanse of editorial, including managing online content, writing and editing, copyediting, and story innovation.

Anna graduated from Colorado College with a degree in English, and kicked off her professional life at a nonprofit in Honolulu. She later shifted gears and worked as a marketing director in Los Angeles before returning to Hawai‘i and Nella. Somewhere in between, she also lived out of a 1978 Toyota Chinook in the U.S. West.

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MATTHEW HONDA

co-creative director

Since earning his degree with a focus in graphic design, Matt has honed his skills in the field of design and project management while working with some of state’s most notable agencies and brands, including MVNP and the Hawaii International Film Festival.

In January 2011, Matt decided to follow his dream and launched INTERVAL, a creative and branding studio located in downtown Honolulu. With NMG expanding at a fast pace, in 2013, Matt joined NMG and has since built a solid reputation through his work with local and national clients.

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ALY ISHIKUNI

stylist

Aly Ishikuni is the stylist at NMG. When she's not busy putting looks together for publications and media campaigns, you'll probably find her singing on stage with her electronic pop band Alt/Air, which has opened for numerous high caliber bands such as Metric, Passion Pit, Steve Aoki, Classixx, and Owl City. Aly's discerning eye and love for fashion developed at a young age when she worked as a recording artist at AVEX in Japan. 

After being in the music industry for six years and collaborating with major songwriters and pop stars such as Christina Milian, BoA, MFLO, and Howie D. of the Backstreet Boys, Aly moved to Oahu in search of a new life. Today, she is the Co-founder & Creative Director of Art+Flea, a wildly popular pop-up urban market that features over 60 independent artists, handmade aficionados, and antique collectors.

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ARA FEDUCIA

co-creative director

With more than a decade of experience in the design industry, Ara Laylo brings a deft style as the creative director of Nella Media Group. Between deadlines, Ara serves as a lecturer at University of Hawaii. She has spent the last ten years promoting art and music culture in Hawaii, introducing Hawaii to such notable acts as Of Montreal, Deerhoof, Menomena, Vivian Girls, and Jokers of the Scene.

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JOHN HOOK

senior staff photographer

Combining the spirit of Aloha, a unique artistic eye, and the joy of play, John Hook is a fun-tographer from Oahu, Hawaii. As the senior staff photographer at NMG, John creates some of the most beautiful content Nella Media Group produces, whether it be stunning fashion shoots or breathtaking Hawaii scenery.

When John isn’t capturing the spectacular views across the islands, he takes special delight in wedding photography. He strives to capture those in-between moments that shouldn’t be missed. And the free wedding cake doesn’t hurt either. 

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