Agency Names New Creative Director, Chief Digital Officer
Raleigh, N.C. (January 4, 2010) -- French/West/Vaughan, one of the nation’s largest independent public relations, public affairs and brand communications agencies, today announced an expansion of its advertising and digital media capabilities with the hiring of a new creative director and chief digital officer, among others.
David Watts joins FWV as creative director, the same position he held at the Catevo Group in Raleigh. Watts, a former art director at McKinney who later went on to form Sideways Creative Branding, is perhaps best known for his 18-year role in helping shape the visual aesthetic of the Whole Foods Market brand, from its in-store signage and décor to its private label packaging. Joining Watts in FWV’s creative department are Brendan Ward, an award-winning art director who most recently held the same position at Flywheel Design; and Michael Lassiter, a recent graduate of The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design with honors.
FWV Chairman & CEO Rick French also announced that Rob Humphrey, a leading digital and social media consultant who has helped the likes of MTV Networks, Novozymes and Blue Cross and Blue Shield chart social media marketing strategies, has joined the agency as its first chief digital officer. Humphrey brings more than a decade of experience to FWV in the areas of digital, social, experiential and traditional marketing strategy and brand building. He has also founded several Web and services businesses, including CareerCowboy.com, one of the world’s first niche job boards. Humphrey will work with FWV account teams to plan and execute online marketing and reputation enhancement programs on behalf of many of the agency’s 75+ clients.
Watts, Ward, Lassiter and Humphrey join three additional strategic hires FWV recently made:
Andrea Frederick joined FWV as an account supervisor and senior online strategist and brings 10 years of advertising, media planning and eMerging media expertise to the agency. Prior to joining FWV, Frederick most recently worked for Bronto Software as direct marketing program manager. She has also worked for companies including Ogilvy & Mather and Young & Rubicam, where she helped plan high-profile campaigns for brands including Ford, AT&T Wireless, Petsmart, Jaguar and Land Rover. Frederick began her career in the NBA, as corporate marketing coordinator for the Detroit Pistons where she managed sponsorship accounts for clients such as Audi, The History Channel and Nike.
Todd Synan joined FWV as a project manager. He brings four years of project management and graphic design experience to the agency, having worked previously at InvitationBox.com, Bond Magazines, University Directories in Chapel Hill, and as a freelance graphic designer. Synan is responsible for managing production for multiple agency clients including the North Carolina State University Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Campbell Law School, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), Dey Pharmaceuticals and Capital Area Transit.
Lindsey Greathouse joined FWV as an account executive assisting with management and interactive strategy for accounts including Dey Pharmaceuticals EpiPen Auto-Injector and Perforomist brands, as well as Capital Area Transit and the Downtown Raleigh Alliance. Greathouse most recently worked for Sprout Marketing in Salt Lake City, Utah where she acquired an impressive amount of experience in market research and interactive and social media, supporting clients including Goldsmith Company Jewelers, Seven Peaks Waterpark and Net Nanny.
French said the new hires are a result of a new business tear that has seen the agency win new marketing assignments over the past month from Moe’s Southwest Grill, The Free Enterprise Nation, the soon-to-be- launched Pro Dice Tour, Dey Pharmaceuticals and Lunasee, the maker of an innovative new lighting product for bicycles that gives cyclists unparalleled side visibility and safety when riding at night.
About French/West/Vaughan
French/West/Vaughan (FWV) is the Southeast’s largest independent public relations, public affairs and brand communications agency. FWV has received numerous industry awards and accolades, and was named a 2006 finalist for PR Week magazine’s “Midsize PR Agency of the Year” award. National and international clients represented by the agency include the Coca-Cola Company, Wrangler, the Justin Boot Company, the International Gemological Institute, Divi Resorts, Blinds To Go and OTB Records. The agency’s creative department provides award-winning advertising, graphic design and media planning and placement services for a wide range of clients. FWV is headquartered in Raleigh and has offices in New York City and Tampa. For more information, please visit www.fwv-us.com.
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