Bios
Robert Reiher, PhD
Founder and President of EsmartchoiceThrough 26 years of experience, Dr. Reiher has integrated brain based communication, media psychology, and developmental psychology into Esmartchoice's proprietary methods and marketing services. As a media and educational psychologist, Robert brings a broad combination of training and experience from the fields of experimental, educational, media and clinical psychology, business, education, and entertainment. He has been actively involved as a researcher, speaker, and media consultant.
Dr. Reiher received his B.A. in education and psychology and completed his Masters Degree in experimental psychology. His doctorate, completed at the University of Southern California, is in educational psychology with a specialization in human development, social psychology, and personality theory. Dr. Reiher has conducted research in attribution theory and cognitive psychology and is published in several journals including the Journal of Psychology. Robert is co-author with DR. Daniel Acuff of Kidnapped: How Irresponsible Marketers Are Stealing the Minds of Your Children, and What Kids Buy and Why: The Psychology of Marketing to Kids
Daniel Stewart Acuff, PhD
Founder and President of YMS Consulting and The Character LabDr. Acuff is founder and President of YMS Consulting and The Character Lab, two Esmartchoice affiliate companies. He has co-authored two books with Dr. Robert Reiher: Kidnapped: How Irresponsible Marketers Are Stealing the Minds of Your Children, and What Kids Buy and Why: The Psychology of Marketing to Kids Daniel has served as a development, research, and marketing consultant to more than 50 major corporations in the areas of product and program viability assessment, development, marketing, and advertising. These companies include Disney, Warner Brothers, Lucas-Spielberg, Microsoft, Paws/Jim Davis, ABC TV, Nestle, M & M Mars, Hershey, Pepsico, Frito-Lay, Quaker Oats, Kellog's, General Mills, Kraft, Johnson & Johnson, Hallmark Cards, Nickelodeon, Sega, Mattel, Hasbro, and Discovery Kids, to name a few.
Jack Brook
Technical/Messaging StrategiesJack Brooks, in his role as Technical and Messaging Strategist, brings an eclectic background to the Esmartchoice team centered around his passion for the science and technology of Internet Communications, as well as the more humanistic areas of psychology and written/verbal communication. His previous work as a writing/performing musician, as well as in the diverse fields of computer consulting, electronics, feature writing, and teaching/counseling, form the common threads that weave throughout the fabric of his commitment to the melding of art and science in cooperatively developing Esmartchoice Technical and Messaging Strategies for individual and organizational enrichment. Jack brings this passion to Esmartchoice technical project support, written publications, website development, information products/programs, and media development.
Janene Whitney
Director of Educational ProjectsJanene Whitney is an award winning educator in the fields of Multiple Intelligences, literacy, and the arts. Ms. Whitney spent 15 years working in the entertainment industry for companies that include Columbia Pictures, ABC, and the Disney Channel.
She did her undergraduate work in English at the Claremont Colleges, and post-graduate work in education at the University of LaVerne. Janene and Robert Reiher are currently writing, Overwhelmed: How Techno-Pop Culture is Pushing Parents to the Edge and What to do About It and The Parent’s Guide to Children’s Entertainment: How to Choose Positive TV, Video Games, Music and Movies for Any Age Child.
Richard Callaci
Music Composition and DevelopmentRichard Callaci is musical strategist and staff composer. His comprehensive musical background coupled with his unique talent and skills integrates the art of music with the science of psychology. Richard plays a critical role at Esmartchoice by directing proprietary product and program musical strategies designed to enrich the listener’s creativity, learning, and emotional states. Richard received his Bachelor of Music degree from North Texas State University and through his years of experience developed an eclectic understanding of a wide variety of musical forms. He has composed original music for clients such as Radio Aahs, Starlight Foundation, Mariott Corporation, Entertainment Partners, Irwin Productions, Showtime Movies and PM Entertainment Video.
As both composer and arranger, he has extensive experience with Saban Entertainment, Playhut Animation, NBC Awards, ABC Children’s TV, the Miss Texas Pageant and the Miss Ohio Pageant. Richard was the winner of the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest in 1998 in the World Music category and has received a Grammy for his work on special media events. He has also participated as a performer and musical director for such notable artists as Melissa Manchester, Julio Iglesias, Frankie Laine, Gary Puckett, Marlon Brando, Frankie Valli, Gloria Loring, and in popular venues ranging from Disneyland to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.