Work About Contact
With decades of collective experience
spanning a myriad of industries, our
team of dreamers and doers
brings the power of possibility
to each project we touch.

With decades of collective experience spanning a myriad of industries, our team of dreamers and doers brings the power of possibility to each project we touch.

Altered State Principles

BE A PARTNER
We are here to work with you throughout the course of your project. Our team aims to add value from initial ideation, to launch, and beyond.

BE DARING
We aim to flex both your and our boundaries to provide opportunities to reach your audience in new and exciting ways.

BE CURIOUS
We approach every question and challenge with a sense of wonder, asking questions that will lead to enlightening answers.

BE ATTENTIVE
We will always listen to your needs to ensure the final product is something you can be proud of.

Creative Process

KICK-OFF

FEED OUR CURIOSITY

FORMULATE THE CONCEPT

DELIVER RESULTS

Capabilities & Services
Creative
Services
  • Strategy
  • Design
  • Copy
  • Brand Identity
  • Creative Direction
  • Art Direction
  • Brand Experiences
  • Packaging
  • Photography
  • Brand Film/Motion
  • Campaign/Digital Design
  • Web Development
  • Event Planning
Media
Services
  • Strategy
  • Print
  • Digital
  • OOH
  • Rich-Media
  • Mobile
  • Search Engine Marketing
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Organic Social
  • Analytics
Our Team
Andrew Ockene Co-founder, CCO
As Co-founder & CCO, Andrew brings 22 years of experience to lead an innovative branding agency, driving effective, high-quality campaigns for industry leaders. Formerly Creative Director at RODE, he curated a portfolio of high-end projects, showcasing a creative vision fundamentally focused on delivering results for clients.

At home, Andrew maintains an extensive collection of nerdtastic figurines and guitars in his world-renowned man cave hideaway.
Amanda Castellano Co-founder, CEO
As Co-founder & CEO, Amanda leads with a people-first approach, placing high value on the relationships she develops with clients and her team. She has built a reputation for fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and empathy. Under her leadership, Altered State and its projects have reached great milestones and continue to excel. Amanda believes that a successful company is built on the foundation of trust and mutual respect, both within the organization and outside of it.

Beyond her professional achievements, Amanda is dedicated to personal development and is passionate about running. She also recently took up boxing, a sport where precision and skill collide. At 5' 2" most are surprised that she packs a real punch!
Jonique Hewitt Director of Creative Strategy
With over 15 years of experience in advertising, and branding, Jonique has a consistent track record of crafting insightful campaign concepts. In this time, she has lended her creative mind to brands ranging from consumer packaged goods to luxury hospitality. Specializing in clear, consistent storytelling, Jonique brings a fresh perspective to every challenge.

In her spare time, Jonique balances an infinite roster of rotating hobbies, including luxury nail design and self-publishing random books on Amazon.
Ethan Moon Senior Art Director
Ethan, an interdisciplinary Art Director with over 10 years in branding, believes in aligning design, art, and storytelling with client needs. Specializing in conceptual design and brand identity development, Ethan ensures a consistent, elegant narrative from concept to implementation, maintaining the client's vision.

Ethan is a firm believer in creating a multitude of shapes with his hair and has lead armies of K-pop fans and gaming teams all over Twitch.
Hannah McCracken Senior Art Director
Hannah is a multidisciplinary Art Director specializing in the intersection of design and psychology. Through a holistic approach, Hannah creates thoughtful narratives, realized through brand identity, packaging, art direction and digital design.

Outside the design realm, she finds joy in the culinary arts, whipping up nourishing plates, while her energetic fur-baby "Kai" keeps life lively.
Raymond O’Toole Director of Account Service
Raymond excels in time management, providing clients with exceptional performance. With hands-on expertise in interpersonal communication and relationship building, his outstanding organizational and leadership skills ensure a deep understanding of client needs, serving as the day-to-day point of contact for consistent success.

When he's not anticipating client needs, Raymond is an adept social media influencer. He entertains a massive Tik Tok following that tunes in devotedly to view his daily musings.
Sydney Conan Director of Partnerships
Sydney's expertise in marketing and communications is fueled by a passion for fostering meaningful relationships and identifying unique opportunities. She develops positioning strategies that will pierce the market and create an impact. Her prowess in marketing strategy plays a pivotal role in her success, while her collaborative approach ensures every idea is innovative and well-balanced.

Outside of work you’ll find her chasing fresh powder on the ski slopes, or strolling through Central Park, discovering the city’s newest cafes and eateries.
Testimonials
“We couldn’t have asked for a better branding and media partner than Altered State. Their inspired vision, exceptional collaboration, and stellar client service were key in shaping the vibrant and memorable identity for the Penn District's first condominium, contributing greatly to its success.”
— John, Corcoran New Development
"Thank you for a very successful, action-packed, smoothly orchestrated, creatively assembled, and enthusiastically produced photoshoot. The amount of hours and effort that were spent to prepare, set up, and execute certainly don’t go unnoticed, nor do they go unappreciated. Always a pleasure to work with you and your team :)"
— Jason, The Durst Organization
"I want to thank all of you for the enormous effort you put in over the last several months. The result is a well-articulated narrative, supported by strong data and wrapped up in a beautiful package. Thank you very much for crafting a product we are proud to attach our name to."
— Eric, The Durst Organization
"I value Altered State’s ability to stay strategic and agile, which is so important in a creative partner in general but especially with real estate and development projects. The 360-degree approach is clear in how they balance brand, audience, and business goals—nothing feels like it's done in a silo. It genuinely feels like Altered State is a part of my own team when I am working with them. There’s a shared ownership in the work, and that creates a strong sense of trust. The communication is open, the collaboration is seamless, and I never feel like I have to over-brief—they just get it. Bonus points for their ability to effectively manage the ‘personalities’ alongside me. Altered State’s design process stands out because it’s not just about aesthetics—it’s deeply considered. Every visual decision feels anchored in strategy and brand purpose, which is rare. The work is beautiful, yes, but more importantly, it resonates. They’ve helped me bring campaigns and brands to life in a way that feels both elevated and meaningful. Working with the Altered State team is just…refreshing! There’s a real sense of care, clarity, and enthusiasm in everything they do. It never feels transactional—there’s humanity in the process, and that makes it enjoyable even when we’re working against tight timelines or complex asks."
— Aurora, The Moinian Group