Meet the 2025 INX Can Design Contest Judges

Jaci Russo, P.C.M., is a respected brand strategist, and the dynamic CEO and co-founder of brandRUSSO. With a career that began at Creative Artists Agency in Los Angeles, Jaci turned her passion for storytelling and strategic thinking into a career that’s all about helping businesses shine. A published author and sought-after speaker, Jaci's insights into branding and marketing are rooted in over two decades of firsthand experience. She's the architect behind Brand State U, an innovative online platform for branding education, and co-host of the He Said, She Said, Razor Branding Podcast. Jaci is a civic leader, mentor, and believer in making a difference in both the boardroom and the community.  brandRUSSO was established in 2001 by Jaci and Michael Russo, representing a global portfolio of B2B clients in the professional services and manufacturing industries. As a strategic branding agency, RUSSO believes in the promise behind the brand, and that by changing the conversation they can inspire and motivate consumer behavior.

Alex Fordham is the founder and managing director of Connective Press Group, an international digital publishing company and the publisher of The Metal Packager. With over 7,000 monthly users, in over 150 countries, it has quickly become a staple in the global metal packaging industry. Alex graduated with a B.A. in Politics from Portsmouth University in the United Kingdom. He is an experienced publishing specialist with a long career as a journalist and editor with a love for metal decorating and packaging. To learn more about his background and professional experience, click here.

Sarah was instrumental in the creation of, and currently manages INX International’s color management group, INX Color Perfection^®. Sarah has been at INX for over six years where she has worked in Special Projects within the digital and metal divisions before her current role. She is an active member of IMDPA and has served as a board member since 2019, and chairs several committees within the association. Sarah is a graduate of Clemson University where she earned her B.S. in Packaging Science with minors in Food Science and Business. Learn more about Sarah’s background and professional experience.

Chris Crowell is a co-founder and editor of Craft Brewing Business, an award-winning trade website for craft beer professionals that sees 30,000+ visits a month. Chris has 16+ years in b2b publishing, with a concentration in creatively reporting news and explaining complex topics for specialized audiences. He holds a master’s degree in journalism from Kent State University, has won several ASBPE awards for writing and content ideas, and dabbles in art projects in his spare time. 

Marshall Thompson, alongside his brother Ryan Thompson, co-founded Canworks and currently runs their sales team. Canworks is one of the first companies in the world to digitally print directly onto aluminum beverage cans, giving craft beverage makers access to beautifully printed cans with small minimums and short lead times. Marshall stumbled across this opportunity when trying to launch an environmentally friendly canned water and (not coming from the beverage industry) realized that the only available options were single-use plastic sleeves/stickers. Marshall and his team work closely to provide the best customer service experience in the industry, regardless of the size of the customer. He is an avid craft beer fan, a diehard Texas Longhorn, and loves spending time with his wife and daughter in his free time.

Consumer public opinion is important and ultimately drives the selection and purchase of beverage brands, so they should have a say too! The public can participate and vote for their favorite can designs via a voting survey published on INX’s social media accounts (Facebook, LinkedIn, and X) May 22–24, 2024. The tallied votes will help determine the top five favorites, and ultimately the winner.