About Us
PufCreativ is a full-scale cannabis marketing agency that works with brands, disrupting and innovating the industry. Our goal is to provide a consistent balance of modern, strategic and compliant marketing services.
We want your cannabis brand to distinguish itself within the marijuana industry through positive engagements and strategic social networks. The PufCreativ team takes pride in our communication skills and putting the extra effort it takes to develop a confident relationship with our clients. We take the time to understand your vision and to develop a creative process that allows for a quality representation of your cannabis brand. Let our firm help build the brand you’ve always dreamed of.
In today’s digital world you need a marketing partner who can help you take advantage of advertising opportunities across a variety of platforms. PufCreativ combines a data-driven approach to marketing with knowledge gained from a wide variety of industries to deliver custom-tailored, outstanding results to each our clients.
Establishing a positive reputation within the marijuana industry is top priority for our clients. From the ground up, we will build your brand around your goals and bring your vision to life!
John Shute
CEO & Co-Founder
A graduate of Norwich University’s MBA Project Management Program, John Shute has taken the marketing industry by storm — originally starting out in hospitality and nightlife, and now specializing in cannabis. John’s forte is creative cannabis marketing strategy, B2B, B2C, and client communication in the marijuana industry. Always striving for excellence – he was awarded 2020 Colorado CEO of the Year by CEO Magazine, and won 2020 Marketer of the Year in the ADCANN Cannabis Advertising Awards, with PufCreativ also winning the award for Agency of the Year!
Shamus Lahman
Creative Director & Co-Founder
Shamus is a multidisciplinary creative who’s delivers effective and engaging solutions across brand identity, print, packaging, and digital media since 2012. Shamus’s rounded skillset help with implementing clear direction and execution from start to finish. Also the eye behind the camera, Shamus’s vision brings our clients ideas to life.
Katie Burrell
VP, COO & Co-Founder
Katie has 5+ years experience in the cannabis industry, and her love for graphic design & video editing continues to ignite her imagination, constantly pushing her creativity and helping her bring your brand to life. As a gay, non-binary entrepreneur trailblazing her own path in the legal cannabis sphere – she is proud to utilize her platform to be an activist for the LGBTQ community and various other vital causes. A devoted ‘animal mom’, Katie likes to spend her free time with her two cats Thuja and Alani, and adventuring with her coffee-coated pup, Beans.
Ben Stewart
Director of Web & SEO
Since graduating with a degree in Graphic Communication from Northern Michigan University, Ben has been on a mission to refine his artistic repertoire in any field put in front of him. A seasoned WordPress developer and SEO whiz, he got his foot in the door of the design world by freelancing as a videographer and social media manager for a variety of industries. Ben is an avid traveler with a passion for photography, and the overlap of influences from his design, development, videography and photography backgrounds are clear in any work he produces.
Amber Johnston
Graphic & Social Specialist
A creative from the woods of Upper Michigan, Amber brings her experience of working with small businesses and global brands across a variety of industries for over seventeen years. Being a serial entrepreneur has given Amber a unique perspective on the marketing and design needs of a brand, with real world experience of what works best for both the consumer and the business. Amber enjoys working in spaces that inspire her so you’ll often find her brainstorming from a paddleboard, strategic planning in a tree, or designing from a hammock.
Andrew Flees
Social Media Manager & Director of Animation
Andy is a dedicated landscape photographer at heart and his passion extends far beyond being behind the lens. Well-versed in graphic design, animation and social media management, he brings an attention to detail and an outside-of-the-box point of view to every project, big or small. Starting his career in social media by sharing his love for nature on his personal Instagram account, he has blossomed from photographer, to social media guru, to full time content creator.
Andrey Krymchansky
Editor-In-Chief
With 5+ years experience in the cannabis industry, Andrey is proud to be doing his part to remove the stigma that has been associated with this incredible plant for far too long. His commitment to boundless creativity, the highest quality of content and journalistic integrity drive him to help your brand develop its personal shine. Andrey is a graduate of Rutgers University in New Jersey, and loves to explore nature with his wife McKenzie, his daughter Katerina, and their mischievous furry creatures, Lucy & Stubby.
Allison Nickels Shute
Legal Advisor
Allison is an experienced attorney with a demonstrated history of growing and developing strong relationships across industries. She helps businesses stay informed and legally compliant as the regulated cannabis industry continues to evolve. She is skilled in civil litigation with a particular focus on business, real estate, contract, licensing and cannabis law. Allison is passionate about setting her clients up for success by providing secure legal consultations in the realm of licensing, contracts, legal strategies, business formations, expansions and acquisitions.
Cam Rizai
Office Administrator & Social Media Manager
Cam is a young and tenacious employee who specializes in customer relationship management and social media. Working and studying the new age of digital marketing is a point of interest for Cam. He believes that digital marketing is important now more than ever due to the ever-changing ways our future generations consume information. Cam immerses himself into the heartbeat of digital consumers in order to effectively develop marketing strategies for our clients. Outside of work, Cam is a large proponent of social and philanthropic causes. He also enjoys the arts, nature and his Bernese Mountain Dog Nugget.
Chelsea Bates
Office Administrator & Social Media Manager
Chelsea is a recent graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. With a passion for creativity, communication, and organization, Chelsea has found herself dedicated and exhilarated to be growing in the world of social media management. Authenticity is the number one thing she stands by. She’s passionate about helping clients to reflect that same standard in their social media. Aside from her work, Chelsea loves to spend her free time in nature, hitting up electronic dance music shows and festivals, and in meditation and intuition practices.
Daniel Fonseca
Motion Graphics Specialist
An artistic mind, and recent marketing graduate from Pace University, Daniel is looking to help raise the levels of creativity and aesthetic within the cannabis industry. Born and raised on Maui, he’s an avid ocean athlete who tries to uphold the aloha spirit wherever he finds himself in the world. With previous graphic design/ video editing experience, Daniel has evolved and is now producing motion graphics. He is continuing to push his overall animation and design skills, as well as his role within PufCreativ.
Kashawn Stroman
Branding & Design Intern
Kashawn is a current graduate student at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. There he is a design students focused on branding and product design. He has a passion for all things creative and is looking to take his experience into the cannabis world. Kashawn lives by the code, “Everything Happens For A Reason”. He hopes to utilize his internship with Pufcreativ to expand not only his creative techniques but his knowledge about the business marketing sectors as well. When not behind a computer you can find Kashawn riding his motorcycle, exploring nature, or just hangin with his friends.
Isabella DeChard
Copywriter & SEO Specialist
Isabella is a creative human currently living in the Sunshine State, where she is wrapping up two years of experience in the cannabis space. As a copywriter and SEO specialist, she is committed to researching and analyzing what we know about cannabis while providing thought-provoking content that challenges the negative stigma around this powerful plant. Her work is fueled by the belief that knowledge is power – advocating for the benefits of this plant and its current news while highlighting the unique voices of brands in the industry. Isabella also uses her graphic design and creative skills as a platform for cannabis education and advocacy through digital collages and art. She enjoys traveling to different National and State parks around the country and her current favorite strain for creating is Jack Herer.
Liam Placek
Copywriting Intern
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin Parkside, Liam has worked to define himself as a multidisciplinary copywriter. Based in Bogota Colombia, he strives to create and grow connections through a digital setting. As a craft cultivator and cannabis enthusiast, he’s looking to deepen his roots and spread authentic information to put an end to negative stereotypes associated with the cannabis world during his time with PufCreativ.
Chelle Winn
Social Media Manager & Content Creator
A graduate from Rowan University with bachelor degrees in PR and Advertising, Chelle has made headway in social media, design and promotions. With a love for the cannabis and music industries, Chelle continues to combine the two worlds on multiple social media platforms through her one of a kind content creation and social media management. On her spare time she is a flow artist and enjoys traveling, attending and promoting festivals, spending time with her coffee-coated pup Beans and her two cats, Thuja and Alani.
Patrick Cathcart
Web & SEO Specialist
Graduating with a degree in Photography from Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Patrick has since worked professionally as a web designer and developer, visual designer, photographer and videographer. He originally got started in the creative world by working in a small print shop, and has been expanding his artistic skillset from that point on. Patrick’s passion for creativity and detail are apparent in the work he produces here at PufCreativ and in any other artistic outlet put in front of him.
Featured In
Voyage Denver: Daily Inspiration - Meet Katie Burrell
March 22, 20222
Daily Ad Brief: “Media Champions” with John Shute from PufCreativ
November 16, 2021
Denver Westword • Cannabis Calendar - Candy Is Dandier After a Joint
February 24, 2020
Strain Insider • Top 25 Cannabis Marketing Agencies in 2020
February 1, 2020
Cannabound • Top 5 Cannabis Marketing Firms
October, 2019
Voyage Denver • Meet PufCreativ: South Denver Clients Country
September 10, 2019
