About

Jay loves everything about food. Collections of cooking magazines and cookbooks are stashed all over his home and office. When Jay cooks dinner every dish in the house is dirty, but the results are always spectacular. 

Jay’s creative and culinary expertise has led the full-service food and beverage-focused agency to be recognized nationally, regionally and locally for excellence in advertising, design and communications. Local companies like PJ’s Coffee and Abita Beer have grown from local favorites to major nationally known brands under Jay’s direction. Jay’s extensive experience with QSR and franchise restaurant concepts has helped some of the nation’s fastest growing brands thrive and become even more profitable.

In 1999, Jay and his wife and business partner Jennifer founded the parent company of Fridge, People Who Think.

If Jay Connaughton’s creative energy inspires the People Who Think, his wife and partner Jennifer’s financial and operational management skills are the engine that keeps us moving forward. She plays a pivotal role in the company’s ability to grow, thrive and succeed for our clients in the future. On the home-front Jennifer expertly manages two school-age children, a toddler, two cats and an unruly miniature golden-doodle named Mollie.

With more than a decade of advertising agency experience, Lena has a true passion for the business. Committed to client service and quality control, Lena leads clients from strategic planning to execution and helps clients to reach their objectives and achieve measurable results.

Lena excels in customer service and has managed high-level hospitality accounts such as Galatoire’s and Sheraton New Orleans. Lena’s other food and beverage experience includes Semolinas, Copelands and French Market Coffee.

At Fridge, Lena manages every detail to ensure flawless execution for our clients. Lena holds a master’s degree in Mass Communication from Loyola University and an undergraduate degree as a nutritionist from Miami University.

Emily’s at the heart of what makes business tick—relationships. She works for clients to gain a clear understanding of their needs, and then works with the creative team to develop the best solutions. She specializes in the food and beverage industry, managing accounts such as a global pâté and charcuterie company, a national barbecue brand and a local wine and food festival. Emily divides her time between the home office and our location in Nashville, Tennessee. And, it goes without saying: Emily loves to eat.

Jeremy began his design career at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, the foremost academic nutritional research institution in the world, eventually becoming a head web designer for Pennington. As Director of Design for the Fridge, Jeremy’s unique perspective and positive attitude powers the design team and encourages them to explore all ideas and communicate each client’s message in a powerful, compelling voice. His award-winning work for our food and beverage clients helps to build brands, create ideas and sell product.

Beth has a way with words. Putting ideas, images and emotions into words and getting everyone talking about them is what she does best. Beth listens well and truly hears what a company or business wants to say they never knew how. Beth has the experience and ability to successfully navigate complex topics and translate the information into award-winning ideas for our food and beverage clients. Her efforts have scored great publicity for clients in high-profile places like The Washington Post, The New York Times, USA Today, Reader’s Digest, Real Simple Magazine and Entertainment Tonight.

Success in public affairs happens at the intersection of policy, politics, and press.

That intersection is Jason Harbison’s home turf. As a strategic communications professional and experienced policy analyst, Jason has worked with lawmakers across the country – developing messaging strategies that advance their policy goals and keep their constituents informed.

Jason has managed high profile political campaigns and advised candidates on messaging and digital strategies. Recently, he served as Communications Advisor for the Republican Delegations of the Louisiana Legislature.

Previously, Jason was the Communications Director for the Republican Party of Louisiana and on the Policy Staff of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus.

Jason is a graduate of Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center, and a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association.

Holly is the master of getting it done, with a passion for getting it done correctly and on time, too. With a background in printing, design and direct mail, Holly recently trafficked and managed over 271 unique mailers, resulting in five million direct mail pieces, from design to mailbox in just 90 days. Hiding inside the mother of four teenagers is also a head-banging hard rock and metal music fan.

Anna thrives on creating unique concepts and pixel-perfect designs. She’s a planner, organizer, list maker and problem-solver for clients and co-workers, too. She loves collaborating with the design team to define the visual look and feel of a brand. Away from the office Anna is the mother of twins, owner of pugs and a lover of fairytales.