The management of McKinney has acquired 100 percent interest in the Durham-based ad agency from Havas, the Paris-headquartered global advertising and communications services group, which encompasses such entities as worldwide networks Euro RSCG Worldwide and Havas Media.
Thus McKinney returns to the ranks of independent shops. “My hope is that with the move, McKinney’s clients will feel an even greater sense of entrepreneurial commitment to their success,” stated Brad W. Brinegar who remains chairman/CEO of the agency.
Joining Brinegar as partners and in constituting the board of McKinney are Jeff Jones, president; Andrew Delbridge, chief strategy officer; Joni Madison, COO; Jonathan Cude, chief creative officer; Tim Jones, CFO; Jeremy Holden, director of account planning; Doug Holroyd, director of connection planning; John Newall, group account director and director of strategic alliances; Janet Northen, director of agency communications; Jim Russell, director of digital strategy; and Ellen Steinberg, group creative director.
Founded in 1969, McKinney has created over the years such noted integrated marketing communications programs as Audi of America’s Art of the H3ist, Travelocity’s Roaming Gnome, the Polaris CEO Duel and the launch of the Sony Bravia LCD TV.
Gene Hackman Died Of Heart Disease; Hantavirus Claimed His Wife’s Life About One Week Prior
Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from hantavirus in their New Mexico hillside home, likely unaware that she was dead because he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, authorities revealed Friday. Both deaths were ruled to be from natural causes, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference. "Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease," Jarrell said. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that's what resulted in his death." Authorities didn't suspect foul play after the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative. Investigators found that the last known communication and activity from Arakawa was Feb. 11 when she visited a pharmacy, pet store and grocery before returning to their gated neighborhood that afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday. Hackman's pacemaker last showed signs of activity a week later and that he had an abnormal heart rhythm Feb. 18, the day he likely died, Jarrell said. Although there was no reliable way to determine the date and time when both died, all signs point to their deaths coming a week apart, Jarrell said. "It's quite possible he was not aware she was deceased," Jarrell said. Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, said he believes Hackman was severely impaired due to Alzheimer's disease and unable to deal with his wife's death in the last week of his life. "You are talking about very severe Alzheimer's disease that normal people would be in a nursing home or have a nurse, but she was taking care... Read More