Fellers Marketing, Advertising names new president

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Apr 5, 2002 by Ray Carter

Jeff Smith, former head of the Oklahoma City office of Fellers Marketing and Advertising, has been named president and chief executive officer of the company.

Smith has been with the company for more than eight years. In his new role, he will oversee Fellers' network of offices throughout the Southwest, including the Oklahoma divisions.

In his prior role as executive vice president and chief operating officer, Smith oversaw the day-to-day operations of Fellers.

"With Jeff's operations experience at Fellers, he was the perfect candidate to assume Fellers' top position," said John Odgers, managing principal and creative director for Fellers' Oklahoma Division. "While Fellers looked both internally and externally, it was obvious that Jeff understood the needs (of) our agency, our clients and our employees. Jeff has embraced this position and its challenges from day one."

Smith will remain based in Oklahoma City, although Fellers has its headquarters in Austin. Odgers said the company has developed a "virtual" structure that allows management to be located in several of the company's offices in the region. The company's human resources director is also based in Oklahoma City, he said.

The company's management team meets together physically at least once a month, Odgers said.

However, Smith will travel to other Fellers' locations as part of his new job.

In addition to Oklahoma City, Fellers has offices in Austin, Houston, Dallas, Lubbock and Amarillo. The company's accounts include Dynegy, 3M, Sonic Industries, Ditch Witch, ExxonMobil and Cellular One.

As president and CEO, Smith will work with the senior management team of the agency, including Odgers, whose management and operational role in the Oklahoma office has been expanded.

"John and I have been very fortunate in growing a successful business in Oklahoma, with key in-state clients that include Ditch Witch and Sonic Industries," Smith said. "Oklahoma is my home state and I'm honored to lead an agency that has such a presence in Oklahoma City."

Fellers also announced the promotion of three employees in its creative department.

Casey Twenter has been promoted to associate creative director. He will oversee creative projects for the agency's network of offices.

Laura Risinger has been named art director. She will oversee creative design for many clients in the Oklahoma City office.

Brandon Shelton has been promoted to graphic designer. He will be responsible for creating materials.