A New Era for Christian Radio
Throughout its 40 years in business, EMF has been an undeniable leader in Christian radio. Listeners might not know the company by name, but they know its stations by heart and by call sign.
K-LOVE, for example, is one of America’s most popular Christian music radio networks. Its loyal listeners all across the country turn to K-LOVE to brighten days and strengthen faith, and EMF has been instrumental in K-LOVE’s enduring success.
As the media landscape shifts and people seek more than just music, EMF plans to do more than just adapt to the times; it aims to expand, broadening its catalog to reach new audiences — diverse demographics of people at different stages of their faith and lives.
That called for creating a powerful, refreshed identity and a galvanizing moment that could anchor the company’s growing catalog.
Overcoming Identity Confusion
There were two major brand challenges to navigate. Internal perceptions of the EMF brand were varied and undefined. To shape favorable perceptions among key stakeholders, the brand first had to inspire pride internally. To tackle this first challenge, we defined the core attributes of EMF’s identity and archetype, helping define who they are at their best and building unity in the company’s mission, vision and commitment to excellence.
Next, the updated visual identity and messaging platform would have to strike a delicate balance — bold enough to build excitement around dynamic new content, but still perfectly suited to house and empower long-standing network brands like K-LOVE. We needed to develop an identity that would stand out, without overshadowing.
OX helped move the company toward a shorter, more modern name: from Educational Media Foundation to simply EMF. And we helped it establish the right language and personality to bring the name to life. This included developing an inspirational headline for a year-end fundraising launch, “Every Moment Forward,” a reference to both EMF’s missional approach and the audience’s personal faith journey. This new language breathed new meaning and life into the EMF name, while retaining familiarity for long-time stakeholders.
Crafting a Cohesive Visual Identity
OX then began crafting a new visual mark that would both serve as a standalone representation of EMF while also supporting and co-existing visually with its strong brands like K-LOVE.
A stylish monogram was developed, punctuated by a simple arrow with a dual meaning: a play button that simultaneously tells the "Every Moment Forward" story. And we committed to a monochrome color palette that could sit alongside and complement the visually rich content of the media brands themselves.
Finally, OX developed the full suite (strategy, messaging, and visual components) into a clear and accessible guide to ensure that everyone creating for EMF in the future was equipped to do so easily and that EMF is set up to communicate effectively, consistently, and compellingly.
Our Team
Jesse Oxford
Founder & Chief Catalyst
Jesse Oxford
Founder & Chief Catalyst
Jesse Oxford
Founder & Chief Catalyst
Here are the five things you should know about me. I effortlessly imagine new ideas and approaches that lead to significant impact. Constraints inspire me to achieve impossible outcomes. As a transformational leader, I see more in people, call it out and provide opportunities for them to realize their potential. In every interaction, I spark deeper understanding and inspire people with motivating word pictures. My daily habit is to investigate a surprising variety of information and apply it in uniquely useful ways.
These five things are true of me in every area of my life, and they are the core skills and practices that allowed me to build the team at OX Creative where we create purposeful campaigns that inspire GOOD in our world.
Our work has been referenced in a speech by President Obama, resulted in over a billion dollars in charitable contributions, included figures like Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg, and the son of Ugandan military dictator Idi Amin. If you’re still reading this, you might be interested to also know I've been awarded for cinematography at Cannes.
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Tony Sorrentino
Chief Executive Officer
Tony Sorrentino
Chief Executive Officer
Tony Sorrentino
Chief Executive Officer
Tony is an accomplished strategist, facilitator, and guide. When he was a kid, his fourth grade teacher told him he asked too many questions; today he uses questions as a superpower.
At OX, Tony guides clients and staff to discover perspective, clarity, and breakthrough. He is certified in the Paterson Process in both StratOp and LifePlan, and applies those skills as he develops brand and campaign strategies for our client’s most important work.
Before joining the team at OX, Tony served for a decade at Willow Creek Community Church as a worship leader, executive producer, and creative director. Outside of OX, he’s most at home hiking in the mountains, writing a song, or checking out a new restaurant with friends.
Olivia Ludwick
Chief Operations Officer
Olivia Ludwick
Chief Operations Officer
Olivia Ludwick
Chief Operations Officer
Olivia is a natural at providing a world class experience for our clients. Olivia’s charismatic personality and solution focused communication style has made clients into lifelong partners.
Before joining the team, Olivia worked in account management at DDB for the National McDonald’s account. She served as a reliable project leader for multiple national campaigns. Olivia brought years of experience to OX where she could trade in “selling fries” for bringing more good into the world!
Outside of OX, Olivia writes, renovates homes with her husband Josiah and enjoys time with her three adorable kids—Jayden, Liam, and Ellie.
Stephanie Alcaino
Head of Creative
Stephanie Alcaino
Head of Creative
Stephanie Alcaino
Head of Creative
Steph is a curious, multi-disciplinary creative with over a decade of experience in the creative industries. Having worked in Australia, France, the UK, and now the US, she brings a unique blend of intercultural insights to her work. Steph is passionate about shaping creative ideas and strategies that not only resonate locally but also have a global impact.
Before joining OX, Steph co-founded a boutique creative agency in London, specializing in building brands and campaigns using cultural insights. Additionally, she has honed her skills as a commercial photographer, taking her on journeys around the world.
Outside of OX, Steph loves to stay active and enjoys exploring London with her husband. A true bookworm, she can often be found immersed in a good book or browsing bookshops to add more gems to her collection
Katie Kick
Executive Creative Director
Katie Kick
Executive Creative Director
Katie Kick
Executive Creative Director
Katie is an uncommonly gifted visual storyteller with a passionate drive to get it exactly right for our clients. Katie has an innate knack for how creative and strategy work hand in hand, and her background in sculpture and fine art anchors her design work in tangible meaning.
Katie found her way onto the OX team while she was working as an in-demand freelance designer. We liked her so much that we basically begged her to join the team (no, but actually).
Outside of OX, you can find Katie tackling a project with her husband Travis, or spending time with their son, Griffin.
Cassie Criminger
Creative Director
Cassie Criminger
Creative Director
Cassie Criminger
Creative Director
Cassie is a storyteller at heart who loves casting vision and creating solutions that excite and inspire brands to be and do more.
Before joining the OX team, Cassie worked in a wide design capacity in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. She views her role as a creative as both an observer and explorer, seeking out clear and creative ways to provoke thought and encourage action.
Currently living in the heart of Chicago, Cassie enjoys walking the lakefront and park trails in the city. Her favorite Saturday entails curating vintage pieces, wandering the art museum, or exploring a new local spot in the city with friends.
Liv Hayes
Senior Project Manager
Liv Hayes
Senior Project Manager
Liv Hayes
Senior Project Manager
Liv has a huge heart for her team and the work OX’s clients are doing daily!
Liv brings warmth and an inviting spirit to the team. She approaches her work as she approaches the world, with curiosity and a passion for leaving things better than she found them!
At OX, Liv works to identify the unique needs of each client and the creative team as she oversees project timelines from planning to completion.
Outside of OX, Liv spends her free time admiring the historic buildings surrounding her home in Chicago or reading by the lake!
Ben Fletcher
Senior Project Manager
Ben Fletcher
Senior Project Manager
Ben Fletcher
Senior Project Manager
Ben has over a decade of experience leading and guiding projects in a variety of industries including non-profit, finance, education, and manufacturing. His diverse background allows him to serve clients from a variety of backgrounds with excellence.
Ben is a process-guy; keeping projects and timelines on track is his specialty. He’s got a knack for identifying the problem and bringing others together to find the best solution. What we like about Ben the most is his love of people and stories that make you feel like you’re working with an “old friend.”
Ben lives in Colorado and enjoys spending time outdoors with his three young kids and beautiful wife. You can find him paddle boarding, hiking, playing soccer, football, rock climbing, and just about any other adventure he can find and experience with his kids.
Jen Oxford
VP, Relationship Development
Jen Oxford
VP, Relationship Development
Jen Oxford
VP, Relationship Development
Building relationships is Jen’s specialty. She has honed this skill in various industries, including publishing, tech, land development, and pastoral ministry. “Ask great key questions and always be curious how that fits into the big picture.” Jen’s unique level of inquiry builds the foundation for each OX partnership, all toward creating more good in the world together.
Inside and outside of OX, Jen is married to founder Jesse. Jen loves to dance (west coast swing and two-step are favorites), hunt at flea markets for vintage finds, sew, and spend time snuggling with her furry son, Boots.
McKenzie Price
Strategist
McKenzie Price
Strategist
McKenzie Price
Strategist
McKenzie is energized by creating experiences that inspire, and she thrives in an environment where creativity is celebrated. Her interdisciplinary background – from fashion to coworking and now at OX – has seasoned her to strategically lead (but not without a little fun) our team and clients through collaborative processes.
Although McKenzie is faster to observe than to speak, don’t let her introvertedness fool you. The gears are spinning as she personalizes solutions that delight others, which is a natural by-product of the thoughtful and purposeful way she approaches her work.
McKenzie and her husband, Addison, live in Colorado where they take advantage of everything the mountains have to offer. What they love most is sharing those experiences with friends and family.
Amanda Lee Kemmeling-Hyslip
Head of Finance and Administration
Amanda Lee Kemmeling-Hyslip
Head of Finance and Administration
Amanda Lee Kemmeling-Hyslip
Head of Finance and Administration
Amanda is an enthusiastic lover of the way numbers can paint a story. Her background in Communications gives her the ability to convey potentially complex financial information in relatable and meaningful ways.
Before coming to OX, Amanda served for more than 15 years in a Financial and HR Leadership role at a Managed Services Provider (MSP). At OX, Amanda views her role as a Keeper of OX's financial integrity, a steward of OX's thriving culture with OXs Mission (their "North Star") at the center of it all, and a proactive communicator serving OX's team of creatives and OX's clients with a value of accuracy and transparency in all financial interactions.
Outside of work, you can find Amanda waking up early to run with the Peloton LeaderBoard (the LB), listening to her latest audiobook, planning themed date nights for her and her husband, Jeffrey, dancing to Frozen's "Let it Go" with their daughter Ellie Mae, taking walks along the river with Amanda’s two “big kids” Adeline and Barrett and seeking out unique vintage pieces for their historic home along the Fox River in Illinois.
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