For Immediate Release
Media Inquiries: Audrey Whaley
Director of Public Relations
SMITH
919-876-5143
awhaley@smithadv.com

Charlotte County, Florida Visitor’s Bureau Names SMITH as Agency of Record

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 9, 2006)— Gary T. SMITH, president and chief executive officer of SMITH—a fully-integrated marketing company—was named Business Person of the Year at Methodist University’s 33rd annual Economic Outlook Symposium. Methodist University’s Center for Entrepreneurship organizes the symposium each year and recognizes business leaders in the community, including an award for Entrepreneur of the Year. The event, attended by over 500 people, featured keynote speaker Walter McDowell, chief executive officer for Wachovia’s banking in the Carolinas and Virginia.

Dr. Elton Hendrick, Methodist University president and Dr. Sid Gautham, founder and director for the Center presented SMITH with the award. The honor is given to an individual from Fayetteville, North Carolina’s fourth largest metro area, that has proven success in both the business and community service fields respectively.

“It's truly an honor to receive this award,” remarked SMITH. “It is consistently given to people who have made a difference in the community, and I feel very proud to be among such an esteemed group of leaders.”

SMITH has transformed his agency—which began as a small local firm with zero clients—into one of the most successful agencies in the Southeast. SMITH regularly competes for high-profile accounts and has garnered over 800 international, national and regional awards. As CEO of the agency, SMITH directly oversees all three office locations in Fayetteville, Raleigh and Sarasota, Fla.

In addition to his business success, SMITH’s sustained personal contributions have impacted the civic and cultural life of the Fayetteville community in significant ways. Beyond the economic benefits tied to the success of the agency, SMITH has been a pioneer in downtown Fayetteville revitalization efforts.

He was the chairman of the Fayetteville area Chamber of Commerce 2000 All-America City committee and has been involved on the boards for the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, the Fayetteville Museum of Art, Fayetteville Area Economic Development Corp. and the Cumberland County Business Council.

SMITH forecasts continued success and growth for his agency and will with his creativity, passion and perseverance inspire others.

SMITH
SMITH is a fully-integrated marketing company headquartered in Fayetteville, N.C. with offices in Raleigh, N.C. and Sarasota, Fla. Now 32 years old SMITH, brings in more than $25 million in capitalized annual billings.

Agency services include creative design, interactive and traditional media planning, Internet design and marketing, market research, direct mail, public relations and branding. SMITH’s accounts include real estate, custom home construction, tourism, medical, consumer products, financial and business-to-business marketing. For more information on SMITH, call (800) 421-1973 or visit www.smithadv.com.