Welcome to Echelon Media where we are simply a step above the rest. After constant requests for consulting and speaking in our areas of the world, we have now formed something amazing for our clients. Each of the Echelon Media crew members is an expert in his own right, and we have now combined forces to give you the likes no one has seen before. From terrestrial to digital, mom and pop shops to Fortune 500, we are here to make a difference.

Before you go a step further, spend a minute getting to know each of us below and what we bring to the table.

Steve Sherron -

Community Builder – After 24 years working for one of the country’s leading telecommunications companies, Steve developed a love for technology and multimedia. After taking an early corporate retirement in 2006, Steve began to experiment with video, marketing and citizen journalism. In 2008, Steve launched his first community website in his hometown of Monroe, NC where he could combine all of his interests. He quickly discovered there is a demand for local news coverage that traditional media ignores. There is a hunger in each of our local communities for “New Media” coverage.

Media Entrepreneur – With an emphasis on community videos, Steve’s network has now grown to 4 community based websites with more in the planning stages. His sites are branded as The Scoop Network. The Scoop Network operates in the Charlotte, NC area. Steve has recently began a complimentary network of local community bloggers. His efforts were recognized by one of the nations leading newspapers, The Charlotte Observer. The Observer & The Scoop Network have joined forces in a Networked Journalism Project sponsored by The Knight Foundation. Steve specializes in local media, multimedia and relationship building through the effective use of citizen journalism and social media.

Allyn Hane -

When he’s not building blogs that sell for upwards of $30K a piece, or petting his front lawn, Allyn Hane is definitely marketing something. Al started his first business at the age of 14, mowing lawns for $10 a pop. A Florida native now living near Chicago, IL, he left college in 1993 and spent four years as a photojournalist and public affairs specialist in the US Air Force. There he served as editor of weekly base newspapers, for European Stars And Stripes, and developed a real love for writing. For the past 12 years however, he’s performed traditional marketing functions for a Fortune 500 service industry powerhouse, ServiceMaster, leading teams of sales reps in door-to-door marketing.

In his spare time, Al builds blogs and sites that bring in organic search engine traffic. SEO is a way of life online. He likes it that way.

Brian Matson -

Brian is a marketing director for a not-for-profit organization dominating his industry. He has no traditional marketing training and that may surprise you, but honestly, it is one of his biggest strengths. He is one of those people who hates the sales pitch, gets nauseated by bull horn advertising and recognizes that we’re in the middle of a paradigm shift when it comes to how we promote our products or services. His expertise is in honest, open communication. In other words: the power of word of mouth. His passion runs deep for bringing truth, interaction and honest representation to an advertising world filled with falsehoods and distortions. He’s a pretty likable guy, too. You’ll relate well to him because he has walked in your shoes. He has done it all wrong, learned his lessons, done his research, listened to the static and in the process has developed a keen eye for B.S. like so many consumers today. Opening up the conversation, listening and interacting are now the name of the game, and those are things that drive Brian like no other.

Josh Whitford -

The first time the world heard about Josh Whitford he was already busy selling candy to fellow kids before recess in the 4th grade. The entrepreneur drive in him hasn’t let up since. Fast forward a few years to college where he bought a house at the age of 19 to sub-rent rooms while attending classes. Now representing local, national and international brands online he is quickly making a name for himself in the world of no fluff marketing and social media consulting.

Marketing has been a focus and drive for Josh to better understand the changes that are happening right before our eyes and apply those understandings on a business level. Josh shares many of his ideas on his personal blog decided to Unconventional Marketing. Helping to raise awareness for businesses of any size online, he has developed marketing plans for some of the largest companies in their niches from jewelers, to restaurants to trailer manufactures.