30-Year Industry Vet Adds Digital Depth and Agency Management Savvy
NEW YORK, March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Ben West, Chairman and founding partner
of WestWayne Advertising, Atlanta and Tampa, today announced that Richard B.
Ward, 50, will become President and Chief Executive Officer of WestWayne,
Inc., effective immediately. Ward succeeds Jeff Johnson, who left the agency
in August 2005.
Ward, who most recently served as a strategic consultant to several online
companies, including eBay, relocates from San Francisco to Atlanta for the
WestWayne role. With a strong background in agency management as well as in
the digital space, Ward has also held positions such as Group VP, Global
Agency Strategy at America Online (AOL) and head of FCB's San Francisco office
during its days as a dominant creative shop in the 1980s and early '90s.
In an effort to build upon the brand presence of one of the Southeast's
greatest creative agencies, Ward joins the agency at a point in time when
independently owned and operated WestWayne looks to re-engineer its corporate
brand and to extend that reputation across the country, as well as take
advantage of new advertising channels for its clients.
"In Richard, we've found a leader who will not just be the Chief Executive
Officer," said Ben West. "More importantly, he will be the chief visionary,
chief strategist, chief builder, and chief motivator."
With the addition of Ward, WestWayne gains a leader with deep experience
in the digital space who will focus his efforts on making the agency more
competitive in the changing ad world, something Ward views as especially
opportune for the company, given that it is unencumbered by the holding
company model.
"WestWayne is uniquely positioned to adapt to the evolving advertising
landscape, given its independence," said Ward. "The agency has a pedigree for
handling market change, and there are huge opportunities for them to develop
strong digital capabilities."
Richard Ward: An Agency Leader And A Digital Player
Prior to entering the digital world, Ward was with Foote, Cone & Belding,
San Francisco, for 18 years, where he began his advertising career as an
assistant media planner. By age 36 he became the youngest managing director in
the agency's global network. While there, he was involved in the development
of award-winning campaigns for Levi Strauss & Company, California Raisins,
Clorox, Coors Brewing Co., and Janus Mutual Funds. While at the helm of the
shop, Ward successfully led several new business and new product assignment
wins.
He then shifted to Infoseek-one of the original Internet search engines-
where he was one of the first 40 employees. He successfully led the
development of ad programs in the then-nascent online arena, and was part of
the team that launched Infoseek Japan.
Ward was subsequently recruited by AOL as part of its turn-around team,
aiding in re-launching its site, and eventually creating a global business
model for AOL to more effectively partner with agency holding companies. He
also oversaw business development in several categories, including apparel,
financial services, and beverages.
Ward also heads up the Ward Family Foundation, a not-for-profit charitable
organization. A graduate of the University of Oregon, Ward is a member of the
board of trustees, and also founded the Richard Ward executive in residence
program at the University of Oregon School of Journalism.
Most recently, he has been a consultant to a variety of online companies,
including eBay's Strategic Partnership Group.
2005: WestWayne Year in Review
With clients ranging from BellSouth, Marriott International, Publix Super
Markets and Southeast Toyota Distributors, WestWayne is one of the largest
remaining independent advertising agencies.
The agency is structured from the ground-up to provide clients with
integrated marketing programs, and as the first agency in the Southeast to
create a brand planning department (mid-80s), brand planning is at the core of
everything the agency does.
Committed to constant evolution and leadership upgrades, WestWayne has
made the following senior hires in the past year:
- Bobby Pearce joined as EVP, Creative Director from Fallon, where he was
Creative Director.
- Dave Damman joined as SVP, Creative Director from Fallon where he was
Creative Director.
- Brandon Murphy joined as SVP, Director of Brand Planning from Campbell-
Ewald, where he was SVP, Planning Director.
They have built the agency's 20-year plus legacy on a fundamental belief
system that has resulted in long-term relationships with brand partners that
far outpace the industry average.
About WestWayne
WestWayne, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the largest remaining
independent advertising agencies in the U.S. WestWayne represents the Ad
Council; Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; BellSouth; The Real Yellow Pages from
BellSouth; Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar; Florida's Natural Growers; Marriott
International; Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau; Pirelli
Tire of North America; Publix Super Markets; Southeast Toyota Distributors,
LLC; Taco Cabana Restaurants; and Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd.
Contact info:
Samantha DiGennaro for WestWayne (sam@getHYPR.com) 212.966.9525
Kristin Wilcha for WestWayne (kristin@getHYPR.com) 212.966.9525
SOURCE WestWayne, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.westwayne.com
CONTACT:
Samantha DiGennaro, sam@getHYPR.com, or
Kristin Wilcha, kristin@getHYPR.com, both for WestWayne,
+1-212-966-9525
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