Erwin-Penland Hires Creative Consumer Brand Veteran

March 17, 2009

GREENVILLE, S.C., – March 17, 2009 – Erwin-Penland, one of the largest advertising and marketing firms in the Southeast and a division of Interpublic Group’s Hill, Holliday announces the appointment of marketing and public relations expert Michael Duffield as Director of Public Relations.

Duffield has spent 20 years in the public relations and marketing fields, exploring and strengthening his culinary, consumer, design and communications experience.

“Public Relations, especially in today’s economy, is a critical part of almost every smart marketing strategy. Michael’s depth of experience with consumer brands, B2B and integrated marketing – and a passion for client service that is a hallmark of Erwin-Penland – made him our standout choice among dozens of extremely strong candidates from around the nation,” said Erwin-Penland President Joe Erwin. “We’re thrilled to welcome Michael to EP’s Public Relations group.”

Most recently, Duffield’s Atlanta-based Michael Duffield Communications developed internal and external communications and brand development strategies for a myriad of clients including the Southeastern Flower Show and Chalmers Ganache. Prior to working in Atlanta, he was vice president and creative strategist for Waterhouse Public Relations in Chattanooga, Tenn. where he developed and executed award-winning PR plans for Mayfield Dairy Farms. Duffield also served as national public relations manager and food & lifestyle editor for the world’s largest retailer of natural and organic foods, Whole Foods Market in Austin, Texas and spent time in New York at Creamer Dickson Basford (now Euro RSCG Magnet) – as well as his Chicago firm, One Step Ahead.

Over the years he has applied his creativity and communications knowledge to products and destinations such as Bristol Farms, Disaronno Originale Amaretto, Oliviers & Co. Olive Oil, Eat Rice Restaurants (Daily Chow, Kelley + Ping, Kin Khao), Jean Georges Restaurant Group, Holiday Meals on Wheels, Lactaid, and Heinz’ EZ Squirt Blastin’ Green Ketchup, Boston Market Gravy and Mr. Yoshida’s Fine Sauces.

A graduate of the University of Iowa, Duffield holds a degree in journalism and graphic design. For a biography, interview or more information, contact Erwin-Penland at (864) 271-0500.

About Erwin-Penland
Based in Greenville, S.C., Erwin-Penland (www.erwinpenland.com) is a full-service marketing firm that provides advertising, event marketing, interactive, public relations and strategic planning services to such clients as Verizon Wireless, Wachovia and Advance America. The 200 plus-person firm is part of Boston-based Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos Inc., one of the nation’s largest ad agencies and a member of The Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG).