PHOENIX  (July 8, 2011) - The Lavidge Company (TLC), a Phoenix advertising agency, offering a full menu of services including advertising, public relations, marketing communications, consulting and interactive marketing, is proud to announce several key promotions and new hires in all divisions.
"Talent is essential to staying competitive and developing new ideas that add value to our clients' businesses," stated Bill Lavidge, CEO of TLC.  "As we enter our 30th year, our agency remains focused on creativity and developing solutions with impact for our clients now and in the future.  We're leveraging our creative expertise in growth areas that clients need to be in like Social Media Marketing, Online Reputation Management and New Media Services."

Promotions

Former Director of Marketing Services Debi Mees moves into the role of Creative Services Director.  In her new position Mees will work closely with the Chief Creative Officer to manage the creative group resources and meet client's needs. As a respected creative talent herself, Debi brings the additional organizational and management skills critical to this position.  She has worked on clients such as Del Webb, Apple Computer, Disney Development Company, Pointe Hilton Resorts, Dial Corporation, Arizona Science Center, Pulte Homes and Kierland Commons.  Mees is a graduate of University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in visual communications.

Dale Castro has been promoted to Director of Creative Technology. In his new position, Castro will work with the Chief Creative Officer and the Director of Interactive Services. He will act as a bridge between the creative department and digital technology group. Castro will implement processes and procedures that integrate the different technical and creative skills sets of team members in both groups as they coordinate on client projects.

The Public Relations division will now be headed by Anne Robertson following her promotion to Director of Public Relations. Robertson joined The Lavidge Company in January 2007, and has since steered PR accounts in the healthcare, B-to-B, consumer products, energy, technology, tourism, and real estate sectors. She has applied her background as a journalist and PR professional to overseeing the agency's PR department, managing staff and helping ensure successful ROI for agency clients. Prior to joining TLC, Robertson served as PR director for locally-based Farnam Companies, a national horse and pet healthcare company, and was a reporter for the Phoenix Business Journal for several years before that. She began her career in New York City, where she publicized authors and books for Simon & Schuster and Bantam Doubleday Dell, and wrote for New York's Newsday. She holds a master's degree in journalism from New York University.

Marcia Scott has been named PR Account Supervisor after almost three years at TLC, when she arrived with significant agency and in-house corporate PR experience.  As communications director of ValuJet Airlines, she steered the company through a national media tour and full year of crisis PR following a tragic plane crash in Florida in the mid-90's. She took time out from the PR wheel to raise her family and move to Phoenix before re-entering the industry. While she's been with the agency, she has served and managed key accounts including TPI Composites, Banner Health, Massage Envy, Smartcomm, and has consistently provided her clients with great service and results.

Kendra States has been named PR Senior Account Executive. States began her career in public relations nearly five years ago at Lavidge.  During her time with the agency she has served a variety of accounts such as Celebrity Fight Night, Massage Envy, CCS Presentation Systems and Discount Tire.   She graduated from ASU with a Bachelor of Science in Communications Studies and minor in Public Relations and Strategic Communication.

The Interactive department had several promotions including Adrian Martinez who was officially promoted to Interactive Account Supervisor. He has led key clients such as LifeLock and will be expanding his role by providing project management training throughout the Interactive group.
Chris Smith is moving into his new role as Application Development Manager. Smith will head up the development team, which includes both application developers and Web integrators. He joined Lavidge in May of 2008. Smith held previous positions at CAFM Solutions and KDRA.  He graduated from the University of Phoenix where he earned both a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology and a Master's in Information Systems.

New Hires

Heide Radtke has joined the Lavidge team as TLC Media's newest Media Planner/Buyer.  She brings over 20 years experience in advertising with Evans Group and Van O'Steen Marketing Group.   Radtke will be working on Sanctuary Hotel, Hotel Valley Ho, Tides Inn, Enchantment Resort, Gainey Suites and Prestige Cleaners. She holds a degree in Marketing from ASU.

Account Service has welcomed new team member Lera Germaine as an Account Executive for McDonald's.  Germaine has been with high-profile agencies on the east coast including; The Martin Agency and Deutsch Advertising, where she worked on the IKEA account.  Most recently she worked with Santy Advertising, where she was account manager on Cold Stone Creamery, Henkel Corp. (Dial parent), Northrop Grumman, McKesson, Phoenix Children's Hospital and others.  In addition, Germaine supervised non-traditional account work for Counter Burger, a gourmet hamburger chain on the west coast.

Paul Torre has come on board as Controller.  Torre is an ASU graduate with a BS in Accounting and brings with him eight years of solid accounting experience working is a variety of industries including tax, healthcare and government.  He will be the primary lead in the accounting department and will be responsible for billing, month-end close processes, financial meetings and other accounting functions. 

Amber Schlaefer has become a permanent part of the Public Relations division as PR Account Coordinator.  After a successful one-year internship in the department, she has joined as a full-time staff member working on accounts such as Banner Health, Massage Envy, CCS Presentations and Phiten.  Schlaefer is holds a degree in Communications from the Hugh Downs School at ASU.
Sabrina Franks joins Account Service as an Account Coordinator.  An Arizona native, Franks spent several years living and working in northern California and New York.  A graduate of Santa Clara University she has most recently been a marketing assistant and recruitment coordinator.  Franks will bring a helping hand to Massage Envy and Phiten accounts.

Susan Krauskopf, a former Lavidge public relations intern, is transitioning into New Business Coordinator from Director of First Impressions.  Krauskopf will take on the role of helping to prepare our teams for presentations, gathering research, and assisting with new business presentation development.

About The Lavidge Company

The Lavidge Company is a Phoenix based full-service advertising, public relations, communications, consulting and interactive marketing agency.  Since 1982, The Lavidge Company has specialized in developing brand positioning for products and services.  Highlights of the agency's client base include Phoenix International Raceway, Discount Tire, Pearle Vision, Arizona Grand Resort, Massage Envy, Phiten, Banner Health, McDonald's and many more. Named as one of the 15 fastest growing companies in Arizona by Arizona Business Magazine, The Lavidge Company was also included in Inc. Magazine's 2010 Inc. 5000 list, voted as one of the "Best Places to Work" in Phoenix by Phoenix Business Journal for four of the last five years, and was recognized by Comerica Bank as a 2008 "Arizona Company to Watch." The Lavidge Company offices are located at 2777 E. Camelback Road, #300, Phoenix, Ariz. 85016.  More information on the agency may be found at www.lavidge.com. www.internetmarketingagency.com www.tlcdarkroom.com @lavidgeco Facebook: LavidgeCompany.

MEDIA CONTACT:

480.998.2600
Jennifer Spangler x552
jspangler@lavidge.com
Joseph Valdez x540
jvaldez@lavidge.com