Red Tettemer Taps Globetrotter Michael Barker as Agency's Executive Creative Director

Red Tettemer Taps Globetrotter Michael Barker as Agency's Executive Creative Director

After Stints in Amsterdam, London and New York, UK's Barker Chooses Philly Agency on the Rise

PHILADELPHIA, April 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Philadelphia-based independent advertising agency Red Tettemer has appointed veteran British creative Michael Barker as executive creative director, capping a global talent search for a mind to match the vision of agency founder and chief creative officer, Steve Red.

(Photo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080423/NEW031 )

"With the addition of Michael we continue to build a platform for diverse thinking and fresh perspective," said Red. "He's been part of some of the best agencies in the world and worked on brands we all know and covet but just as important for us was his natural fit into the Red Tettemer culture. He also calls us all mates and says "brilliant" a lot which is cool too."

Barker is the third senior-level hire announced by Red Tettemer in the last month. The 43-year-old has spearheaded campaigns on both sides of the Atlantic, most recently at 4Creative in London and, prior to that, as senior art director at Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam. While there he created global initiatives for clients such as Coca-Cola, Old Spice and Electronic Arts (EA).

From 2001 to 2005, Barker served as a creative group head at TBWA\London, where he directed his own viral campaign for Sony Playstation while simultaneously churning out ads for News International, publisher of "The Sun" and other infamous British tabloids.

"I truly believe this agency is poised for greatness," said Barker. "There is a huge opportunity to stake a claim -- not only in the Philly market but on a national level -- and I'm eager to work alongside Steve and the Red Tettemer team to help make that happen."

Barker adds that he will be charged with overseeing the agency's creative department, where he plans to impose a strict diet of "black pudding, mushy peas and scones."

He is no stranger to the world of US advertising. Before returning to Europe in 2001, he served as senior art director at Deutsch New York, working on campaigns for big name clients such as IKEA and Tanqueray.

Barker's first major break came during his time at Ogilvy London, where, as art director and then creative group head, he created award-winning work for Duracell, Ford and Guinness. Barker holds a Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design from the University of Central England in Birmingham.

The Liverpool-native now makes his home in Philadelphia's Center City, an "edgy, real" place that reminds him of home. He is an avid football fan (the British variety, that is). Barker often rises early on the weekends to cheer on his favorite football club, Liverpool, from a local pub.

ABOUT RED TETTEMER

Red Tettemer is a Philadelphia-based advertising agency. Within its red walls, thought-benders, storytellers and content creators build brands on any media platform that will have them. For more than 12 years, Red Tettemer has thrived on energizing clients and their businesses - a few currently being energized include Advanta; kajeet, a wireless mobile service for kids; PBS Kids Sprout; Pennsylvania Tourism Office; Five Below; and Hatfield Quality Meats. For more information, go to redtettemer.com.

Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080423/NEW031
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN6
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Red Tettemer

CONTACT: Matthew Vlahos, Red Tettemer, +1-267-402-2001,
mvlahos@redtettemer.com, or Kristen Milligan, DiGennaro Communications,
+1-212-966-9525, kmilligan@digennarony.com

Web site:

http://www.redtettemer.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: A hi-res headshot of Michael Barker is available at http://share.redtettemer.com/PRheadshots

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