Phoenix Ad Agency Announces New COO and Staff Additions as Clients Continue to Enlist Agency

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - (November 27, 2007) - The Lavidge Company (TLC), a leading advertising, marketing, public relations and interactive firm located in Scottsdale, today announced it has promoted PR Director Alicia Wadas to Chief Operating Officer.  In addition to Wadas' promotion, TLC has promoted five employees and hired four staff members for the growing public relations division.

A veteran of the Arizona advertising and public relations world, Wadas joined Lavidge three years ago as Public Relations Director.  Under her leadership, Lavidge Public Relations has grown exponentially.  She has been instrumental in securing notable clients such as Banner Health, Discount Tire, Special Olympics Arizona and InFocus.  The department has expanded from three staff members to eleven during her time.  What's more, they've won the company Halloween contest two years in a row.

As the Phoenix ad agency grew, CEO Bill Lavidge recognized the need for someone to direct its day-to-day operations and help centralize its structure and business strategies.  "Integration of all our company's services is critical in achieving maximum results for our clients.  Alicia is the right person to successfully provide leadership in this area.  Her experience ranges across all sectors of our agency, she possesses an exceptional business sense, and she has her PDA surgically attached to her hand."

Anne Robertson was promoted to Public Relations Account Supervisor.  Robertson joined The Lavidge Company in January 2007 as a Public Relations Senior Account Executive to pay for her weekend horse jumping competitions. In addition to her supervisory role, Robertson works directly with such clients as Banner Health and InFocus. Prior to joining TLC, Robertson worked as a public relations director for such locally-based organizations as Farnam Companies and Childhelp, and as a reporter and columnist for the Phoenix Business Journal. She holds a master's degree in journalism from New York University.

Ashley Engler and Joseph Valdez were both recently promoted to Account Manager at the Phoenix ad agency.  They have been with the company a little over two years.  Engler has worked extensively with Special Olympics, Arizona Diamondbacks, Banner Health and Meritage Active Adult. Engler began her career in television broadcasting first as a producer and then as an on-air reporter before moving into public relations.  Prior to TLC, Engler served as Director of Public Relations for the Upstate South Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross. Valdez has worked with clients such as Melones Internacional, Discount Tire, AMEC, and Solid Rock.  A fan of food, whether it's eating or cooking, he has a background in the hospitality and food industries including work for major restaurant chain concepts.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs and Corporate Communications from Southern Methodist University.

Kendra States was promoted to Junior Account Executive from Public Relations Assistant.  During her 18 months with the agency she works with clients such as Altier Credit Union, World Golf Championship-Accenture Match Play Championships, CCS Presentation Systems, and Honor Ball.  States is also a graduate of Arizona State University.

New Hires

Greg Sexton has joined as Senior Account Executive after a successful 10-year career as Editor-in-Chief of Arizona Business Magazine.  When not playing his guitar, he will be applying his expertise to accounts including Banner Health, InFocus, AMEC, Massage Envy, Aura at Camelback, Esterra Development, and more. An Arizona native, he has a Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and enjoys hunting the local wildlife.

Elle Shelley has joined Lavidge as Account Executive, bringing her knowledge to clients such as Celebrity Fight Night, InFocus, Banner Health, and Meritage Active Adult.  The office fashionista and a violin teacher, Shelley is a former Account Manager with Larry John Wright where she worked with a variety of clients such as the Boy Scouts of America and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.   Although she loves to travel and sun on the beach, Arizona is her home and where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Jennifer Frederick was brought on board as Account Executive to the Phoenix ad agency.  She will bring her talents to work for such clients as Alliance Residential, Massage Envy, Solid Rock and Special Olympics of Arizona. Formerly with B|W|R Public Relations in Los Angeles, she specialized in entertainment technology with such clients as USC's Institute for Creative Technologies, Stan Lee Media, Eidos Interactive and notably, the Arizona Film Commission.  Originally from Ohio, Frederick earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Miami University (and yes that's in Ohio).

Lauren Pokras recently moved to Arizona from New York and became an Account Executive here at TLC.  She has jumped in on such accounts as CCS Presentations, InFocus and Quivira. In the Big Apple, Pokras was an Assistant Account Executive with Brodeur working on the RIM/BlackBerry account.  Prior to that, she worked as a Press and Marketing Assistant for the 59E59 THEATERS.  She is an avid supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Communications and a minor in Theatre from American University.

"The public relations team we have gathered here is full of bright and talented individuals," stated Wadas. "Each of them bring something unique to table. I feel confident that we will continue on our path of excellence with our newest additions and the current employees who have taken on more responsibility.  Now if only I could find a place to put them all."

About The Lavidge Company

The Lavidge Company is a locally owned and operated full-service advertising, public relations, consulting and marketing communications agency.  Since 1982, The Lavidge Company has specialized in developing brand positioning for products and services.  Highlights of the agency's client base include Discount Tire, Bashas', Special Olympics Arizona, Massage Envy, Phoenix Suns, Meritage Active Adult Communities, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cachet Homes, Phoenix Mercury, Banner Healthcare, AMEC, and McDonald's. The Lavidge Company was recently voted as one of the top 25 "Best Places to Work" in Phoenix. The Lavidge Company offices are located at 6263 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 190, Scottsdale, AZ 85250.  More information on the agency may be found at www.lavidge.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

480.998.2600
Jennifer Frederick x552
jfrederick@lavidge.com
Joseph Valdez x540
jvaldez@lavidge.com

The Lavidge Company Swells in Numbers.pdf