New West Renews Contract with Louisville Airport Authority, Adds Four Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care to Client Roster
New West, one of the region’s largest full service public relations, marketing and advertising firms, has been retained for a second three-year contract as agency of record for advertising and creative services for the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. The agency won the business in a multi-agency selection process. It has also been hired to manage the rebranding effort for North Carolina-based Four Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care.
New West will be assisting the airport with advertising and promotional efforts, media buying, creative services and Web site related marketing. New West was first hired as agency of record in 2005 and was instrumental in the launch of the airport’s “Air Travel Made Easy,” campaign featuring an animated airplane character.
North Carolina-based Hospice & Palliative Care has hired New West as its advertising and marketing counsel to assist with research and positioning, brand development and creative development in support of Four Seasons’ upcoming capital campaign.
The award of the Four Seasons work comes on the heels of New West’s recent rebranding efforts for Hosparus, the local hospice organization, formerly known as The Alliance of Community Hospices & Palliative Care Services.
“We’re thrilled about our contract renewal with the Louisville Regional Airport Authority and look forward to another three years of great collaboration with our valued partners there,” said Becky Simpson, New West CEO. “The Four Seasons hospice work is a natural extension of the successful model we’ve helped create for Hosparus here in Louisville,” added Simpson.
New West Makes Key Moves
New West, one of the region’s largest full service public relations, marketing and advertising firms, is growing the roles of two key executives to better serve clients and the agency.
Tom Kokai takes over as Chief Operating Officer and expands his duties to include the supervision of all staff and oversight of account service management, in addition to his role as Creative Director.
Joe Lilly becomes Executive Vice President will take an expanded role in new business development. He will assume an even greater role as PR strategist on all accounts —current clients and new business.
Tom Howell ‘s title will change to Principal/President and Becky Simpson’s title will remain Principal/CEO.
According to Becky Simpson, Principal/CEO of New West, the new organizational structure will help the agency to be more efficient, add client services, market more effectively and provide room for growth for others in the organization as the firm continues to grow.
Tom Kokai has over 25 years of experience in advertising from both the creative and the account supervision side for a wide range of clients including travel, tourism, attractions, entertainment, healthcare, financial, consumer and business-to-business products. Prior to joining New West in 1998, he worked at Doe-Anderson as a Vice President/Account Supervisor.
“Tom is well respected for his skills as a keen strategist, a talented writer and creative supervisor,” said Becky Simpson, CEO of New West. “In his new role we will tap into his broad experience managing people and accounts.”
Joe Lilly brings to New West more than 25 years of experience in communications, broadcast journalism, legislative affairs and marketing. Prior to joining New West in 1998, Lilly served as press secretary to Kentucky Governor Brereton C. Jones, communications director for the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and executive producer at WAVE-TV News in Louisville.
New West Promotes Employees
New West, one of the region’s largest full service public relations, marketing and advertising firms, is pleased to announce promotions of two employees.
Ellen Stubbs was promoted to senior account executive. Stubbs started with New West in June 2006 and has considerable experience in public relations, corporate communications, advertising, and special events. Currently, Stubbs’ accounts include state clients such as Kentucky State Police, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Brightside, Louisville’s anti-litter agency.
Stubbs has a background in the non-profit sector, working for nearly three years as the marketing manager at Bridgepointe Services and Goodwill Industries where she managed marketing and public relations for three human services divisions as well as development programs and all retail services for 11 regional Goodwill Stores.
Mary Walter Yandell was promoted to art director. Yandell started with New West in 1995 and has worked for a number of clients including San Diego International Airport, Louisville International Airport, Women 4 Women, The Community Foundation of Louisville and Gallatin Steel, as well as a Southern California fire prevention program. Previously, Yandell worked at the University of Louisville.
“Ellen and Mary have been exceptional employees of New West,” said Becky Simpson, New West CEO. “Both bring a great amount of talent to our clients, and we’re proud to see them advance in the agency.”
