Joshua Craig has joined the agency as a web developer and systems administrator.

“Joshua brings to the agency a great deal of technical knowledge in developing and managing sites with an emphasis on web standards and accessibility,” says Scott Piggott, senior vice president of technology and interactive services.  “Our clients and the agency will benefit from his expertise.”

Craig will develop and maintain web sites, microsites, intranets, extranets and other web-based applications.  He will also conduct video editing work, and provide network support and PC/Mac support to the agency and its clients.  Prior to joining the Howard, Merrell & Partners team, Craig held a position at Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in Oklahoma City.  He was responsible for troubleshooting intranet and Internet applications, maintaining servers, promoting accessibility and web standards among agency developers and managing day-to-day operations of web development staff.

Craig obtained a bachelor of science degree in computer science from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Raleigh, NC, November 10, 2008 – Strategic advertising and branding firm Howard, Merrell & Partners continues to expand its Creative department with the addition of award winning senior copywriter, Kevin Corfield.

Immediately prior to joining Howard, Merrell & Partners, Corfield worked for the Smith Brothers Agency of Pittsburgh, PA.  He has also worked at Walt Disney Company in Burbank, CA and a number of agencies in the northeast.  Corfield has worked on national accounts in a variety of different markets.  These include Martex, Del Monte, Cub Cadet, ABC News, Heinz, True Value, The Pennsylvania Lottery, Buena Vista Television and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“There are a bunch of things you look for in a copywriter,” explains Billy Barnes, creative director at Howard, Merrell & Partners.  “Kevin’s got them all.  A wide range of experience.  The ability to concept and write for any medium.  Full of ideas.  A love for what he does.  He’s a great addition.”

About Howard, Merrell & Partners
Raleigh, NC-based Howard, Merrell & Partners Inc., specializes in linking business and communications strategies to yield higher levels of financial performance for its clients. Founded by Jack Howard in 1945 and later reorganized as Howard, Merrell & Partners under Mac Merrell’s leadership, the agency is a pioneer in understanding and applying the power of emotions to develop more effective business and communications strategies. Agency service offerings include brand development, creative development and production, consumer insight research, public relations, media asset services, event planning and management and strategic account management.

Recent clients include BB&T Bank, Bellezza Products, Butterball, Canvas on Demand, Central Aquatics, CHD Meridian Healthcare, CHILL International, Cisco, Colonial Bank, Doctors Vision Center, Foot Solutions, Hewlett-Packard, Interton, Invista, MED-EL Corporation, NC Beautiful, O2 Fitness, ReSound, Shawl Shop, THOR•LO, UltraPet, Vaco and Zilla.  The agency’s work has been recently honored by, the Telly Awards, the Addys, Graphis, The London International Advertising Awards, The Communicator Awards, and the North American Precis Syndicate.