RALEIGH, N.C. – French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the nation’s leading independent public relations and brand communications agencies, today announced six new hires and four promotions.
“It’s an exciting time for our agency,” said FWV Chairman and CEO Rick French. “Our recent new hires and well-deserved promotions are a testament to the depth of our organization and the talent we are routinely able to attract as well as a result of a burgeoning client landscape. Year-to-date, FWV has experienced a high double-digit revenue increase compared to 2011 and has added more than a dozen new associates to its payroll.”
FWV welcomes Joselyn Williams as an agency vice president. Williams has more than 20 years of experience in corporate and sports event marketing, has prior entrepreneurship experience and has worked with Sara Lee Corporation and the Michael Jordan Foundation of the Carolinas. She has also made significant contributions to the success of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) during its six-year stay in Raleigh as well as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Williams will be responsible for daily management and oversight of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and CIAA accounts.
Amy Ackerman joins FWV as account supervisor supporting agency clients within the finance, food & beverage and lifestyle sectors. Ackerman hails from CBS Interactive/CNET in New York City where she was most recently a manager of client services, overseeing a team of six for clients including General Motors and Target. She has also worked in account management roles at Tremor Media and Clearspring Technologies. Amy has an M.A. in adolescent education and English from St. John’s University and a B.A. in English from Binghamton University, both in New York.
Tara Trask also joins FWV as account executive. A South Dakota State University alumna with an undergraduate degree in speech communications and journalism and a master’s degree in journalism and public relations, Trask is a former Miss Rodeo South Dakota. Trask brings additional western lifestyle professional experience via her role in production and management at the Sutton Rodeo Company and Black Hills Stock Show, as well as in the PR and social media/digital fields through her freelance practice, and tenure at both Lawrence & Schiller in South Dakota and CMT in Nashville. Trask will support clients including Wrangler Western, Justin Brands and Pendleton Whisky.
The agency welcomes Charlotte Rollins as senior media planner. Rollins was previously with CNN and Turner Broadcasting in Atlanta, most recently serving as a digital sales planner for properties including CNN.com, HLNtv.com, TBS.com, TNT.tv, CartoonNetwork.com, SI.com, PGATour.com, NBA.com and NASCAR.com. In this capacity, she worked with clients to plan, execute and measure campaigns. Prior to joining CNN and Turner Broadcasting, she held several internships in public relations, marketing and promotions including Raleigh’s Alice Aycock Poe Center for Health Education. Charlotte is originally from Raleigh and is a graduate of NC State University.
Lauren Towns joins FWV as account coordinator. Towns is a recent North Carolina A&T State University graduate who will be supporting agency clients including the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, among others. In addition to being a dean’s list student and cheerleader at A&T, Lauren has held internships with Clear Channel Communications, Rex Healthcare, North Carolina state government, Downtown Greensboro Inc. and is a member of the Young Invincibles Organization, which conducts in-depth election research and analysis.
Andrew Harrell joins FWV as digital content producer. While attending UNC-Chapel Hill, he worked for The Daily Tar Heel, wrote two one-act plays and created a sitcom for UNC Student Television (STV). Harrell, who previously held an internship with Merge Records, will be supporting agency clients such as Wrangler, Hood River Distillers and SAS/Teradata.
FWV also announced four promotions. Scott Palmer has been promoted from account executive to social media manager. Leading strategic thinking, ideation, implementation, research and analysis efforts for social media campaigns agency-wide, Palmer directly leads social media marketing efforts for clients including Wrangler Mass and Western brands, Riders by Lee, Hood River Distillers (including brands such as Pendleton Whisky, Yazi Ginger Vodka and SinFire Cinnamon Whisky), NC State University and Vendgogh.
Katie Johnson has been promoted to account supervisor. With FWV since 2008, Johnson manages day-to-day integrated marketing initiatives, including the execution of public relations and social media campaigns for Wrangler Western Wear and PR efforts for Justin Brands, including footwear brands Justin Boot Company, Tony Lama Boots, Nocona Boots and Justin Original Workboots. Johnson’s prior experience with the agency includes additional work in the apparel industry through Wrangler Mass Market and Riders by Lee.
Caitlin Vargas has been promoted to assistant account executive. Vargas supports the execution of integrated marketing, PR and social media campaigns for clients including Wrangler Western Wear, Justin Brands (including footwear brands Justin Boots, Tony Lama Boots, Nocona Boots and Justin Original Workboots) and Pendleton Whisky.
Lauren Bristol has been promoted to assistant account executive. Bristol supports the execution of integrated marketing, PR and social media campaigns for clients including Gemesis Diamond Company, Melitta Coffee, the International Gemological Institute and The Variable.
About French/West/Vaughan
French/West/Vaughan is the Southeast’s leading public relations, public affairs and brand communications agency, independent or otherwise. National and international clients represented by the agency include Melitta, Wrangler, Justin Boot Company, the International Gemological Institute, RBC Bank and Moe’s Southwest Grill restaurants. The agency also offers award-winning advertising, graphic design, media planning and placement, and digital and social media marketing and monitoring services for a wide range of clients. Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., FWV also has offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Tampa and Dallas. For more information, please visit www.fwv-us.com.