Our Team

Cecilia Russo Turner, Cecilia Russo Marketing, Savannah Georgia Public Relations (1)

Cecilia Russo Turner, President and CEO

In 2008, Cecilia Russo Turner founded Cecilia Russo Marketing, LLC to help businesses and organizations increase their visibility locally, nationally, and globally through reputation management, consultation and fundraising strategies. Throughout her 27-year career, Cecilia has managed and participated in philanthropic activities, raising millions of dollars for nonprofit charities and civic improvements in communities throughout Savannah and the Lowcountry and Southeast region of our State. CRM’s team provided strategic direction, public relations, and major gift solicitation for the most successful campaign ever held by the Veterans Council of Chatham County: the World War II Memorial, ‘A World Apart,’ erected on historic West River Street and dedicated in November 2010. Additionally, Cecilia has enjoyed a successful and strong list of small business and corporate clients while also serving as a fundraising consultant and advisor for organizations such as Tour de Georgia, Susan G. Komen Savannah Race for the Cure®, Leadership Southeast Georgia, SAFE Shelter, Inc., American Red Cross of Southeast and Coastal Georgia, Benedictine Military School, Savannah Technical College, and America’s Second Harvest Food Bank of Coastal Georgia. Cecilia was the co-founder of Savannah’s Fashion Night Out through Vogue’s Conde Nast in 2013. She was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year by Junior Achievement of Savannah in 2013 and named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Savannah Chamber of Commerce in 2018. She is a 2016 graduate of Leadership Southeast Georgia and a proud alumna of St. Vincent’s Academy and the University of Georgia. Cecilia’s most recent civic volunteer efforts include currently serving as the 2021-2022 Campaign Chair for the United Way of the Coastal Empire. She also holds board positions on Horizons Savannah and the Savannah Technical College Foundation. Previously, Cecilia actively served on the boards of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire and Senior Citizens, Inc and Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island. She is married to Bob Turner, and they have five grandchildren.

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Cynthia Cradduck, Cecilia Russo Marketing, Savannah Georgia Public Relations

Cynthia Cradduck, Managing Partner

As the Managing Partner at Cecilia Russo Marketing, Cynthia is responsible for various crucial aspects of the business, including business development, staff management, reputation management strategies for clients, media relations, and online SEO public relations. Additionally, she holds a prominent role as the lead executive administrator of Leadership Southeast Georgia.
 
Cynthia earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a specialization in Public Relations from Georgia Southern University. She also obtained L.E.A.P. certification as a PR professional, which stands for Leadership, Experience in Communication, Academics, and Professionalism training. Her exceptional skills and dedication were recognized in 2023 when she was named a member of the 40-Under-40 Alumni from Georgia Southern University.
 
Cynthia participated in the renowned United Way of the Coastal Empire Young Leaders’ Board Readiness Program in 2020. Her exceptional leadership qualities were acknowledged on a national level when she was recognized as a 40-Under-40 leader by Georgia Trend Magazine in 2018. Cynthia’s accomplishments were further highlighted by Savannah Magazine and Savannah Morning News, where she was honored as a Rising Star in Business in 2017. Her involvement in community organizations is extensive, having served as Vice President of the Georgia Jaycees and as a past president of the Savannah Jaycees.
 
Beyond her professional achievements, Cynthia is actively involved in various community initiatives. She currently holds the position of Chair for the United Way of the Coastal Empire’s Business Champions in the annual campaign. Additionally, she serves as Vice Chair for the YMCA of Coastal Georgia and is an ambassador for the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce. Cynthia’s commitment to giving back is evident through her support of nonprofit organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House of the Coastal Empire, One Love Animal Rescue, the Fresh Air Home on Tybee Island, and her church, Isle of Hope United Methodist Church.
 
On a personal note, Cynthia is happily married to Aaron Cradduck, and together they have a son named Emerson and a daughter named Ruthie.
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Suzanne Smith, Cecilia Russo Marketing, Public Relations and Marketing in Savannah

Suzanne Smith

Suzanne Smith joined the Cecilia Russo Marketing team as a Public Relations Coordinator in 2017 and specializes in pitching and coordinating media coverage, campaign research, report generation, and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Georgia Southern University. Suzanne served as Chairman for a 2019 Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS) Man of the Year, helping to raise more than $26,000 for LLS. Through various donation drives and hands-on volunteer opportunities, Suzanne is always looking for ways to help her community. A native of Cartersville, GA, Suzanne made her home in Savannah in 2006. She is married to Chris Smith, and they have two children, Tinsley and Walker. When she’s not working or chasing her kids around, she enjoys cooking, baking, and reading.

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Emma Tang

Emma Tang is the website developer and graphic designer for Cecilia Russo Marketing. She graduated in 2008 from Connecticut College with a degree in graphic design and received her Masters degree from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2010 with a degree in information technology with a focus in website development and UI/UX. With over 15 years of experience, she’s had the privilege of working with businesses of all sizes spanning a multitude of industries. Together she takes your initial concept and turn it into a successful design. Design is more than just creating something that looks amazing – it’s about boosting your bottom line. Whether you’re looking for a full-blown e-commerce website or a redesign for your business branding, she’s here to help. She spends her free time with her overly energetic and amazing children and pole vaulting.
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Tyler Edic

Tyler Edic is a video production entrepreneur and independent filmmaker. He was named “Best of the Year: Videographer” by Savannah Magazine in 2021 and “30 Under 30” by Destination’s International in 2020. Tyler holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasting and Mass Communication and a Master’s in Business Administration. He relocated to Savannah in 2018 with his dog Lilly.

Frank Ricci

Frank Ricci is a freelance writer living in Savannah, Georgia. In his career, he’s contributed to many Las Vegas megaresort brands owned by Mandalay Resort Group and Mirage Resorts. He’s also worked with Dell, Root Sports Network, Savannah College of Art and Design, ad agencies in Las Vegas and New York, and a few years in video slot machine development and production. Before that, he was the original music editor at SCOPE Magazine in Las Vegas. Originally from New Jersey, Frank is a graduate of American University in Washington, DC. He loves music, food, Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey and driving slow cars fast.

Jason Herman

Jason Herman brings over 30 years of marketing and management success to businesses of all sizes and industries. As owner/builder of multimillion-dollar startups and executive officer of billion-dollar national chains, he has led staff sizes in the thousands and advertising budgets in the tens of millions. Having managed projects from within Google Headquarters, Jason gained invaluable insights which formed his proprietary digital strategy. Jason leads a team of over 500 experts in Google Advertising, Social Media Strategy, SEO, Reputation Management, and dozens of other service areas…all ready to serve our clients.

Melanie Schmermund

Melanie is an experienced freelance graphic designer, specializing in editorial design and branding. With almost 20 years of experience in the industry, she has worked for various clients to craft visually stunning designs. Melanie is also a contributing designer with Savannah Magazine. After earning her degree from Auburn University, Melanie has been able to turn her passion into a successful career. In addition to graphic design, Melanie loves traveling and exploring the world. In her free time, she has visited 12 different countries and is always looking for new places to visit. With her freelance graphic design experience and enthusiasm for travel, Melanie is an asset to any creative team. Her knowledge and passion are invaluable assets which ensure that each project she works on is of the highest quality. She believes that through collaboration with her clients, great designs can be achieved every time.
“I engaged Cecilia and her team very soon after we launched our business. I needed the word out that I was in a new place and reinforcement/broadcast of my brand. I learned to just be quiet and trust their methods and direction. Four years in, our work is consistently, positively covered in the press, on a monthly basis.”
Brian Felder, Felder & Associates