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Orlando Business Journal Names JKR Top Ad Agency

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Orlando Business JournalJKR Advertising & Marketing is #1, according to the Orlando Business Journal. The leading business newspaper in Orlando has revealed its 2015 “Top Advertising and Digital Marketing Agencies” and JKR tops the list.

 

“We had an outstanding year, mirroring the victories of our clients,” said CEO Jeff Johnson. “Our clients are having great success in their operations and are reinvesting those dollars back into their marketing efforts. Everyone at JKR works hard to be the best, so we’re very excited to know we occupy the top spot on this prestigious list.”

 

The Orlando Business Journal list is based on capitalized billings for the year, with JKR totaling a pace-setting number of $61 million. That topped the second-place finisher by more than $10 million.

 

The company received additional recognition, as it finished third in number of new clients acquired last year. Its 17 new clients are situated across the country, including California, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Oregon, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

 

As a whole, 2014 was JKR’s best year ever, as the agency achieved a number of milestones. In November, JKR acquired Orlando-based automotive Internet agency NOW Digital to expand its online product offerings. That followed the March purchase of Benedict Advertising & Marketing, the largest advertising agency in Daytona Beach.

 

Founded in 2007, JKR Advertising & Marketing delivers all aspects of automotive retail advertising. JKR provides market analysis, creative, radio, TV, print, public relations, and digital. JKR’s experience, knowledge, and dedicated focus result in the overwhelming majority of clients outperforming their peers, markets, and competitors. Clients include individual dealerships and multi-brand, multi-store groups.

 

JKR Automotive Advertising: We Move Cars.

Jeremy Chandler

Better By Design: JKR Hires Jeremy Chandler and Abie Silva

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To meet and exceed the needs of JKR’s ever-increasing client roster, our agency has responded in recent months by making a number of key hires. Our two newest graphics department employees, Jeremy Chandler and Abie Silva, are welcome additions to our staff.

 

Jeremy ChandlerJeremy Chandler, Graphics Director: Jeremy came to us from SeaWorld Parks and Resorts Orlando, where he served in corporate marketing as the only graphic designer on staff. “My job at SeaWorld got me used to meeting tight deadlines, which serves me well here,” Jeremy said. “I find working at JKR to be very interesting because of the niche market it occupies in the advertising world.”

 

He takes a great deal of pride in his “best supporting role” of producing Web graphics, newspaper ads, newsletters, billboards, and other print and online marketing materials. “Without a print and Internet presence to supplement our TV commercials and radio spots, some campaigns would not have the same amount of success. These days, many people get a great deal of their information either through the Internet or in printed form,” he explained.

 

Jeremy possesses an Associate of Science degree in Recording Arts from Full Sail University, as well as a Multimedia Graphic Technical Certificate from Valencia Community College. In his spare time, he looks for opportunities to continue honing his skills via conventions and Web classes.

 

Abie SilvaAbie Silva, Motion Graphics Designer: When JKR decided to expand its motion graphics department, Abie was one of the first interviewees. It didn’t take long to realize there was a perfect match between agency and candidate. “My background is in automotive, so I already knew about the industry,” Abie said. “I was really excited to learn about JKR, and once I found out I got the job I couldn’t wait to get started.”

 

JKR’s clients appreciate the way Abie does his job. “I’m very passionate and meticulous about what I do,” he explained. “I look at each production and make it as wonderful and unique as possible. We believe our clients deserve a lot more than ‘just another car commercial’ … and that’s a big part of what will continue to separate JKR from everyone else in the future.”

 

Abie received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Animation from the Miami International University of Art & Design, and he puts it to good use at our agency. “I know how to convey our clients’ messages through animation,” he explained. “This is my niche, and I know it well.”

 

JKR Automotive Advertising: We Move Cars.

Phillip Blevins

JKR Names Phillip Blevins Office Manager

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Phillip BlevinsPlease join us in congratulating Phillip Blevins on his promotion to Office Manager, effective Monday, May 18. After starting with JKR as Billing Coordinator, he has most recently been part of Jeff Johnson’s Client Services team, serving as Account Coordinator.

 

Phil will oversee human resources and day-to-day operations, and will also be in charge of billing and accounts receivables.

 

“I am excited to have such an integral role at JKR Advertising, and be part of its continued success,” Phil says. “I’m looking forward to the experience I will get as I learn from our CFO, Dan Albert, because he has a vast knowledge of the industry.”

 

When the job of Office Manager became available due to JKR’s rapid growth, Phil’s background in finance made him the natural choice for the position. “Because Phil has already worked in the billing department, he already has a grasp of the media and billing sides of our agency,” Dan said. “Now he’ll get to put it all together by adding knowledge on how the financial side works. He’s the perfect hire for this job.”

 

He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration/Finance. His prior job experience includes a stint at Trustco Bank, where he served as Assistant Branch Manager.

 

JKR’s success is driven by employees who strive for excellence … ones just like Phil Blevins. Kudos on a job well-done!

 

JKR Automotive Advertising: We Move Cars.

Donna Fuller

JKR Grows Again, Adds Two Client Service Employees

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When JKR grows this much, its employee roster follows suit. To that end, we introduce you to a pair of new employees who frequently interact directly with our clients in a number of very important ways. Please join us in welcoming Donna Fuller and Yolanda Pagan to the JKR family!

Donna FullerDonna Fuller: While Donna’s everyday job is Account Executive, there really isn’t much she isn’t capable of doing. She’s also a talented copywriter, project manager and creative marketing resource, so she’s able to jump in with both feet and help her coworkers when they need assistance. “I have four years of experience working directly with car dealers, so the environment here at JKR isn’t new to me,” Donna explained.

Prior to her foray in the automotive field, Donna worked in several fundraising positions; one of which was with the New Orleans Ballet Association. “I started in the automotive industry by chance, but it falls in line perfectly with what I like to do,” she said. “I enjoy doing things that allow others to be successful, and helping our clients reach their goals is very rewarding.”

Donna grew up in Orlando and returned home four years ago to be closer to her family. She is the proud mother of three kids, ages 12 to 17. Over the course of her life, Donna has lived in Florida, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, D.C., Missouri, Louisiana and Georgia.

 

 

Yolanda PaganYolanda Pagan: As a media buyer, Yolanda’s role is an instrumental one. “I have the responsibility of finding the most efficient vehicles to invest my clients’ budgets,” she said. “By keeping up with media trends … what’s working best in each market and for each dealer … I can prepare an effective media plan. That will translate into great traffic and sales for them.”

During her first advertising agency internship in Puerto Rico, she found her calling. “Contrary to most people studying communications, I love numbers,” Yolanda explained. “I actually asked them to place me in the media department. I wanted to learn what it meant to be a media professional. Once I got there, I knew I had found my spot in the advertising world.”

Yolanda and her husband of five years have a three-year-old son named Leonardo. “He is the light of the house and he keeps us on our toes,” Yolanda says. She’s a media buyer by day, Disney cast member by night; since 2004 she has been a seasonal Disney entertainment performer.

Meredith Branham

JKR’s Clients Love Our Creative Department Additions

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Two of our more recent hires, Meredith Branham and Jon Wadley, are tremendous creative department additions whose work has garnered a great deal of acclaim among JKR’s client base. As you’ll see from reading their profiles, their experience and skill sets have further enhanced our in-house abilities. If you are a client of ours, chances are you’ve either seen or heard some of their work.

Meredith Branham

Meredith Branham, Production Manager: You may recognize Meredith from any number of places, as she has previously worked with JKR for about four years as a freelance talent before coming to work for us full-time. She’s also appeared in numerous other commercials, movies and television shows, including commercials for Zaxby’s, Credit Karma, Bealls, TGIFridays, Budweiser and Michelob; the movie Sydney White; and TV shows Forensic Files and Magic City.

 

“I am fortunate. I get to do what I love every day,” Meredith said. “I have a passion for film and television, and I really enjoy immersing myself in my job.” She’s the quintessential Swiss Army Knife in the production department, as she wears many hats. Her duties include being one of JKR’s most popular spokesmodels, organizing and scheduling shoots, recording voiceovers – and even shopping for props when necessary.

 

Jon Wadley

Jon Wadley, Audio Mixer/Composer/Voiceover: Jon got his start in the business in the 1990s as a sound mixer at NBC in Los Angeles. He worked in and around LA for years mixing promos, trailers, commercials, and all kinds of film projects. For JKR, he’s a voice talent, jingle writer/composer, and post-production sound editor.

 

“While working with the top voice talents in the business, I decided to give voiceover a try because, as a singer and musician, I already knew what to do,” Jon said. “I did a demo, got an agent, and since then I’ve been the national voice for Carfax, Friendly’s, Dr. Pepper, Church’s Chicken and more. One of Jon’s songs is featured prominently in a National Lampoon movie called Adam and Eve. He and his band have performed at major venues across California.

 

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