Skip to content

About Ballyhoo Media

We're all about water

Learn Who We Are

We're more than a floating billboard.

Play Video

We get it often, “why don’t you just advertise big companies all day and sail into the sunset”? Well, if your only reason for being is to make money, then that is a simple and safe strategy, but it is certainly not ours. We believe our platform can be more than that, moving beyond traditional advertising. We consciously work every day to enhance the well-being of our community, support our hard-working locals, create the most fun and exciting city events, and work to protect the planet we all live on. You cannot put a dollar amount on these things. Join us on our journey in expanding the potential of our waterways. 

We do cool sh*t on the water.

The water is full of potential that's yet to be explored

We’re all about getting creative. Ballyhoo Media is a water-based multi-media company changing the landscape of outdoor advertising. Our company is setting out to revolutionize the way we live, experience, and communicate on the waterways. We developed a platform that encourages creativity, collaboration, and community. We live in a transient era, so we have expanded mobility. We live in a tech era, so we have elevated connectivity. We live in a social age, so we have maximized engagement. At Ballyhoo Media, we deliver a breakthrough medium for advertising, entertainment, and collaborative experiences for our community.

Play Video

Innovation

A water-proof LED boat didn't magically wash up on the beach. We always strive to be creative and out-of-the-box.

Boldness

Some might think we’re different…. We think that’s our biggest advantage. We push the limits on how one can activate the waterways.

Community

We are only as powerful as our community we're in. That's why we serve our community and give back.

Our Core Values 

Our values shape the way we work with our clients and how we're seen in our community. We push to deliver outstanding entertainment and information to our audiences using cutting-edge technologies.

The only billboards committed to protecting our waterways

We are committed to protecting our oceans and waterways. Through partnerships with key ocean-conservancy groups and innovative technologies, we are pioneering a new era of billboard advertising that meets the highest standards of environmental responsibility. By advertising with us, you’re helping support our mission to safeguard our planet’s most precious resource.

It started with an

Umbrella

Family-owned and operated, two brothers' love for the beach grew into a company.

Brothers Nate Shapiro and Adam Shapiro grew up on the beaches of Ocean City, Maryland, as umbrella boys. Their love for the water and sun left no room for summer internships. But that didn’t stop their natural entrepreneurial spirit. They looked to the skies as they sat in the sands, wondering how they could start their own business. Ironically, it was there they found an answer. Aerial advertising. These antiquated forms of advertising have been a staple of the beaches since they were children. But there was a better way to bring this to the modern day. That is where this journey began. How can we create a more appealing and effective form of beach advertising? The answer was Ballyhoo Media.

Work like a Captain, Play like a Pirate

Our Crew

Adam Shapiro

Founder & CEO

About Adam

Lives by the phrase "Work like a Captain, Play like a Pirate". Born and raised on the beaches of Maryland, Adam was always connected to the water. After graduating from FIU with his MBA, he fell in love with South Florida. In a dire need to always stay near the waters, he left his cozy commercial real estate job to start this insane idea.

Favorite Boating Spot:
Key Largo
Years of Boating Experience:
Years of what?
Favorite Part of Ballyhoo:
Our incredible events

MESSAGE ME

Nate Shapiro

Vice President

About Nate

The master of chill and reggae, Nate has mastered the ability of picking up any skill thrown his way. Working in practically every position in the company, he has become a master of the water and the office.

Favorite Boating Spot:
Biscayne Bay
Favorite Client
Corona
Favorite Part of Ballyhoo:
Being on a beach !


MESSAGE ME

Tyler Zlatin

Chief Revenue Officer

About Tyler

Life long friend Tyler “the creator” was a founder of Ballyhoo Media along side the Shapiro brothers. A modern day Scorsese, Tyler uses his tool kit of Adobe suites and video editing softwares to transform our platforms into super models walking the red carpet. In his off-hours, he enjoys listening to live music with his best friend Don Julio and always saying ‘yes’ to weekend plans.

Favorite Part of Ballyhoo:
The jaw-drop reaction when someone sees our boats in-person
Favorite Office Activity:
Cuddling with the dogs

Message me

Kellie Liess

Director of Finance

Malcolm Summers

Vice President of National Sales

About Malcolm

Growing up in the DC area despising the cold and also being of Jamaican descent, Malcolm always knew he was destined for the warmth. He moved to Miami at the start of 2016 where he got his first taste of professional selling working in the season tickets department for the major baseball team in the area. A couple of years later, Malcolm would eventually find his way to the advertising industry and in the Fall of 2020 was introduced to the team at Ballyhoo. The rest, as they say, is history!

MESSAGE ME

Helen Roldan

Director of Communications & Public Affairs

ABOUT HELEN

Born in Venezuela, raised in Miami, Helen is a proud Florida Gator with a love for the water (especially snorkeling!). At Ballyhoo, she brings sea-level research, government experience, and community advocacy to the team’s background. In her time off, she likes to attend concerts and explore nature.

Favorite Beach:
Chichiriviche, Venezuela And in Miami? Unlike most locals, I actually love South Beach!
Favorite Spots in Miami
Books & Books!

MESSAGE ME

Zack Reed

Director Of Business Development

Born on Cape Cod, Zack is a proud Mass Maritime Academy graduate, with an equal love for the water and the golf course. At Ballyhoo, Zack brings his experience of working on Capitol Hill and International Sales to expand Ballyhoo to different markets globally. In Zack's time off he can be found teeing it up with his friends at the Cape Club, or traveling to warmer places.

Favorite Beach:
Bondi, Sydney
Favorite Part of Working At Ballyhoo:
Endless opoortunities and company culture

MESSAGE ME

Teddy Herrmann

Director of Program Management

ABOUT TAMMY

Chris V

Director of Regional Marine Operations

Christopher V. is a seasoned professional with a solid foundation in homeland security and emergency management, As the Director of Marine Operations at Ballyhoo Media, Christopher orchestrates the daily maritime activities across three distinct areas. His role encompasses overseeing vessel operations, maintenance, new projects, and captain training. Over the past year, Christopher led the successful introduction of two new assets into the Ballyhoo Media fleet. Steering the planning, refit, and launch phases, he played a pivotal role in adapting screens and generators, ensuring seamless integration, and expanding operations into two new cities. A visionary leader, Christopher V. is not just a director; he's a driving force behind the growth and success of Ballyhoo Media. His ability to navigate diverse challenges and lead teams to triumph reflects a dedication to ensuring that each vessel under his oversight sails with precision, delivering unparalleled impact in the world of marine operations.

Kelvin Martir

Client Success and Content Marketing Manager

ABOUT KELVIN

Longtime Miami native interested in all things sports, water and media . Graduate from FIU and now the man behind the camera.

Favorite Part of Ballyhoo:
Work hard play hard mentality
Favorite Boating Spot:
Haulover Sandbar
Favorite campaign:
Diplo Live Activation!
What I do on my days off::
chillllllllllll

Edwardt Baum

Lead Software Engineer

ABOUT EDWARDT

A creative innovator with a passion for software development

What I Do On My Days Off:
Code!

Favorite Part of Ballyhoo:
The team

Andrew Posen

Sales Executive - South Florida

ABOUT ANDREW

I was born and raised in New Jersey but have been living in South Florida since 2015. I graduated from Clemson and K-State and am a HUGE sports fan! Outside of work, you'll find me at happy hour, doing anything by the water, watching tv & sports, enjoying time with my wife & son or playing with my dogs.

Favorite Part of Ballyhoo
The People!!
Favorite Sport Team(s):
I really know how to pick a winner! Jets, Mets, Devils. At least I have Clemson!

Darci Noe

Regional Account Executive - Seattle

Andrew Ward

Account Executive - New York

Dylan Matrisciano

Photographer / Videographer

ABOUT DYLAN

My name is Dylan Matrisciano, I love going to the Playpen in Chicago! It's right in the heart of Gold Coast where all the boats gather and hang out. My favorite beach is Dania Beach. The best part about Ballyhoo Media is being around the team and the work environment. The most nostalgic advertising campaign for me is "Be Like Mike" The creativity in the commercials and ads brought Air Jordans and Nike to life. I have been on boats all my life from my dad's fishing boat to being on my uncle's sailboat. I love to go fishing, lift weights, go on bike rides, take photos, and be with friends and family. My favorite fish to catch is the Northern Pike they bring a great fight when reeling them in.

AP Suarez

Fleet Engineer

Grady Heath

Marine Operations Coordinator

ABOUT GRADY

Born in Jacksonville, Florida and proud University of Florida swimmer/alumni. Moved to Miami in the summer of 2021. Love and passion for the water, fishing, gym, and family/friends. Excited to be a part of the Ballyhoo team! .

Favorite Beach:
Vilano Beach, Florida
Favorite Catch
Peacock Bass

MEAGAN LAPEIRE

Graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator

Tammy Zeigen

Product Marketing Specialist

ABOUT TAMMY

Francesca Parodi

Junior Graphic Designer

Denzel Merrell

Software Developer

Jeff Goldberg

Executive Chairman

PATRICK FOLEY

Captain

Ron Pennington

Captain

Tolga Askar

Captain

Moe Wyman

Captain

Craig Edwards

Captain

Stefaun Gray

Captain

Alex Jimenez

Captain

Isaac Castillo

Captain

Corey Robinson

Captain

German Martin

Captain

Want to

COME ABOARD?

We are always looking for interns, captains looking for their licenses, and people who get excited about the water! Shoot us an email with your resume.