Page 69 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2016

CHRISTIE FOUNTAIN Principal and Creative Director Christie Fountain Advertising Inc. of Ocean Springs
www.christiefountain.com | 228.222.2066
In 10th grade, Christie Fountain won a radio station contest asking “Tell us why you want to meet Rick Springfield” in 10 words or less with her entry of “Rick and Roll soothes the soul.” She developed that win into an advertising major in college, and
a move to marketing and advertising jobs along the Coast, working with people she described as wonderful mentors.
Today, Fountain has owned her advertising agency going on 10 years with a team of three employees. She partners with in-house marketing teams, small agencies and small business owners in every step of the promotion process — research, planning, placement and results.
“I like to think of us as ‘the little shop that should,’ a lean little team that likes to fly under the radar while producing big results for our clients on time, on target and on budget,” Fountain said.
BRYANT WHELAN Managing Director
The Focus Group of Gulfport | www.focusgroupms.com | 228.832.3667
Bryant Whelan is an artist who has made a career in advertising. For the past 25 years, she has been an art director, on the creative side at a PR firm, then on to corporate marketing, in advertising account management and finally business development.
“There is never a dull moment,” she said. “My career path is not typical for ad agency folks. While I don’t have a personal specialty, most who know me know my passions lie in the arts — visual, musical and literature,” Whelan said.
She oversees a team at The Focus Group that gives their clients the ability to think differently and to identify new media avenues available for direct targeting to audiences with appropriate messages. Data and results happen in real time so campaigns can be agile.
“Creative messages can change quickly based on customer response and behavior data. It’s really exciting,” Whelan said.
LAURAHASTY President
The Ad Group of Biloxi | www.theadgroup.net | 228.388.9830
Laura Hasty dislikes the word “problem” — instead she lists one of her areas of expertise as the chief challenge solver. She started her career in radio sales before going to an advertising agency. She and the agency’s talented graphic artist, Robin Stephens, founded The Ad Group in 1995.
“From day one, I was excited about going to work. I immediately fell in love with the fast-paced and ever changing world of advertising and the challenges of helping businesses with their advertising needs,” Hasty said.
Each client has different advertising needs that her team identifies and assesses to create a one-of-a-kind promotion. She has found social media to be a cost-effective way to promote any business.
“Advertising is not just a Monday through Friday, 9 to 5 profession. We are always accessible to our clients for challenges that might arise,” Hasty said.
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