Auritt | The Auritt Team

We at Auritt often refer to ourselves as "the team," for like team members, we join forces for the overall success of your projects. We're involved with every aspect of a production, from creative planning to execution to follow-up. We work side-by-side, with each other and with clients, no matter how challenging the project or frenetic the pace.

The individuals with whom you will deal on a day-to-day basis are network-credentialed producers, writers and media professionals with years of experience in the news, publishing and television fields. Our team boasts distinguished broadcast credits from nearly every leading TV network. We know how to get your message out into the world, because we know the industry like the backs of our hands.

Joan Auritt selects each member of the Auritt team based not only on their professional strengths, but also on the way she believes that his or her personality will "gel" as a group. Our producers and writers consider themselves partners who help shape your message and make it as impactful as possible.

Joan Reisner Auritt, Founder and President
Lorinda Chamberlain, Business Manager
Mike Echols, Production Manager
Jason Fox, Media Relations Manager
Anna Gartaganis, Project Manager and Producer
Kara Leibowitz, Project Manager and Producer
Deirdre Reilly, Project Manager and Producer
Erin Lahey Schwitter, Project Manager and Producer
Erin Horan - Production Assistant

Team Members

Joan Reisner Auritt, Founder and President
Joan guides the Auritt team and provides support and creative input in all aspects of the company's work. An award-winning television producer and director, she has worked on news, entertainment and documentary programming for NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS and syndication. Joan has been actively producing strategic television and radio marketing projects for more than two decades for clients in healthcare, food, consumer, publishing, sports and entertainment industries. She values the opportunity to develop and nurture long-term relationships with her clients and her team. Joan has a knack for spreading her Zen presence throughout the office, and is a big fan of horses, yoga and a daily intake of a wee bit of the best dark chocolate available.

Lorinda Chamberlain, Business Manager
As Business Manager at Auritt, Lorinda is responsible for the accounts, company diagnostics and human resources, among other things. After spending 10 years working between accounting and theatre jobs in Scotland, she decided it was time to find a career that combined the two sides of one of her personalities. Fortunately for Auritt, she had to come all the way to New York to find it.

Mike Echols, Production Manager
As Production Manager, Mike oversees the coordination of all production logistics, including the booking of satellite space, studios, crews, sets, stylists and editing facilities and the staffing of projects. He also handles the drafting of proposals and contracts for clients. Mike received his BS from Cornell University and his Masters in Television and Radio from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. His experiences in the television production, public relations, and streaming media industries have been invaluable in his role here at Auritt, as has his gift for finding random, and often times unusual, information on the Internet.

Jason Fox , Media Relations Manager
As Auritt's Media Relations Manager, Jason manages the team's media outreach and interaction. He is the energy and drive behind the team's booking successes and keeps the company's extensive database up-to-the-minute by having his finger on the pulse of new outlets and contacts. In addition to creating media alerts for both online and offline markets, he crafts newsworthy pitches and integrated media strategies with Auritt team members. With his extensive background in entertainment and public relations, he has the experience and knowledge necessary to secure high-profile bookings in the country's top media markets. Although highly dedicated to his career at Auritt, Jason still clings to his life-long dream of playing first base for the New York Mets.

Anna Gartaganis, Project Manager and Producer
Anna produces and directs radio and satellite media tours, handling all aspects from initial pitch to the final 'it's a wrap.' With a background in public relations, news and television/radio production, Anna balances the fine line between news and PR by managing the expectations of journalists and publicists on a daily basis. She also balances a fine line when rooting for both Boston and New York sports teams while working for Auritt in both Manhattan and Boston. Anna has a unique sense of humor and a knack for quoting movie lines. She takes pride in pronouncing both "moussaka" and "spanakopita" correctly.

Kara Leibowitz, Project Manager and Producer
Being first a production assistant, then associate producer, Kara gained a wealth of valuable experience in all areas of the business, from distributing press materials to pitching stations and websites, floor managing and phone coordinating tours. Now, as Project Manager of both television and radio tours, Kara is very hands-on with all aspects of her projects down to the finest detail. Her strengths lie in her knowledge of the business from soup to nuts. So with these many strengths, does she have a weakness? Yup-molten chocolate cake.

Deirdre Reilly, Project Manager and Producer
As Project Manager and Producer, Deirdre manages on-going projects, brainstorms with clients for upcoming projects, directs multi-camera, and in-studio productions and produces and directs B-rolls, web videos and video news releases. Deirdre has more than 20 years of experience as a Producer/Director for network and syndicated programs. She was part of the original "Entertainment Tonight" production team and has a list of credits on the show that spans more than ten years.

Erin Lahey Schwitter, Project Manager and Producer
As Project Manager and producer, Erin handles all of the aspects of integrated media tours, satellite media tours, targeted news minutes and web videos from concept, pitch and set design to completion. With a background in TV/film production as well as in news, Erin's position at Auritt enables her to combine all of these skills-and then some. Erin derives great satisfaction from a job well done, but refuses on principal to "high five".

Erin Horan - Production Assistant
Erin is responsible for making sure Radio and TV Stations know Who, What, Where, Why and When. With a passion for broadcasting, she feels most at home with camera in hand, punching buttons in our edit suite, or floor directing in the studio. Erin received her B.A. From Florida State University in Mass Media Studies, Motion Picture, and Recording Arts. Her media experience has taken her around the US and the UK where she developed her skills in production and a taste for British food. A Florida girl at heart, she enjoys the ocean, southern hospitality, and the occasional scuba dive in the Gulf of Mexico.