IMG Leadership

Brian Boyle, co-Chief Executive Officer 

Prior to founding Issue Media Group, Brian directed e-Business Solutions for Infinity Broadcasting (Viacom), where he created “small” media within a radio giant. The e-Business Solutions team managed the sales, marketing, and creation of 11 online publications targeting niche audiences for technology, automotive, human resources, alternative energy, small business and real estate. In consecutive years, Infinity recognized Brian as a Newcomer of the Year and New Business Leader of the Year for its seven Detroit stations.

Prior to joining Viacom, Brian was Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Development for Drillbit, a publishing consultant specializing in niche online content models. The Drillbit approach and content management solution were instrumental in assisting national “alternative weekly” publications to leverage online content to grow new audiences and revenues. Drillbit created the award-winning Metro Times site. Brian received his Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University.

Paul Schutt, co-Chief Executive Officer

Paul Schutt is the co-founder of Issue Media Group. He brings a background in technology, business development and strategy to IMG from his work with the other companies he has co-founded and led over the past 19 years.

Mr Schutt also co-founded the Cleveland-based technology firm, Easy2 Technologies that was sold to Answers.com in 2013. Easy2 provides rich retail solutions to the worlds largest retailers and manufacturers in home improvement, consumer electronics, juvenile products, sporting goods, and housewares including Lowes, Wal-Mart, Amazon, Target and others.

Paul serves on private and public boards including the board of trustees of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, 826 National, Michigan Saves. Paul received his BA from Ferris State University and lives in Ann Arbor with his son.

Oksana Panarina, Controller

Oksana Panarina brings twenty years of experience in finance and accounting to her role as Issue Media Group’s financial controller, where she leads day-to-day financial operations as well as the company’s long-term financial strategy and reporting. Prior to joining IMG, Oksana was a Senior Accountant with All Media Guide in Ann Arbor, publishers of allmusic.com, and for five years owned and managed a sales and marketing firm based in Tecumseh, Michigan. She is a graduate of St. Petersburg International Institute of Management (IMISP) in St. Petersburg, Russia, and holds a Masters degree in Accountancy from the University of Phoenix.


Christian Marcillo, Client Services Director

As Client Services Director, Christian leads Issue Media Group’s client relationships by managing project deliverables and client relationships to produce series that align client goals with the readership audience of our publications. Christian’s background in leading community projects, engagement, and ecosystem development both within Issue Media Group and in his professional career in the community of Pontiac and in the mobile space help him intersect technology along with solution approaches that are felt in the community.


Managing Editors

Our managing editors are part of the communities they cover.

Meet the hardworking editors and the talented team of reporters and photographers behind our publications:

Metro Detroit’s Metromode

Detroit’s Model D

Grand Rapids’ Rapid Growth

Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti’s Concentrate

Kalamazoo / Battle Creek’s Second Wave Southwest

Flint’s Flintside

Port Huron’s The Keel

Catalyst Midland, 

Route Bay City, 

Epicenter Mount Pleasant, 

The Lakeshore West Michigan, 

UPword in the Upper Peninsula, and 

Rural Innovation Exchange, covering Michigan’s rural community. 

Outside of Michigan, meet the incredible teams leading: 

The Helm Sandusky, 

Soapbox Cincinnati, 

The Hub Springfield, 

Tampa Bay’s 83 Degrees, and 

Input Fort Wayne.