Two Balcom Agency Employees Named "40 Under 40" Honorees by Fort Worth Business Press

Ashley Freer and Chip Hanna selected from more than 200 nominees

FORT WORTH, Texas – May 8, 2013 – Balcom Agency, an advertising, interactive and public relations firm based in Fort Worth, is pleased to announce that Ashley Freer and Chip Hanna were chosen as 2013 “40 Under 40” honorees for the Fort Worth Business Press. Freer and Hanna were selected from more than 200 nominees to be among the 40 distinguished professionals under the age of 40 honored for their contributions to both their profession and their community.

An account director with Balcom since 2009, Freer has more than 14 years of experience in marketing. An integral part of the public relations team at Balcom, Freer provides marketing and PR expertise to many of Balcom’s clients, including: CASA of Tarrant County, Cook Children’s Health Care System, Streams & Valleys, Trinity Habitat for Humanity, and United Way of Tarrant County. Originally from Georgia, Freer earned a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., and a master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. She moved to Fort Worth in 2006, and is active in the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the Junior League of Fort Worth, and also works as a part-time assistant minister at Christ Chapel Bible Church.

“Ashley is all about going above and beyond. Whether she's doggedly pursuing media coverage, perfecting a comprehensive strategy brief or keeping the creative team on track, ‘good enough’ is never enough,” said Stuart Balcom, president and CEO of Balcom Agency. “And the results – for Balcom Agency and our clients – are as exceptional as she is. She is most certainly worthy of this recognition.”

Hanna is Balcom’s interactive account director and co-founder of the interactive team at the agency. He joined Balcom in 2007 as an intern, and now leads interactive projects for clients such as Justin Brands, Neeley School of Business at TCU, Texas Health Resources, LifeGift, Norman Regional Health System and others. His expertise comprises website development, web applications, digital media, search engine optimization and interactive marketing. A native of Oregon, Hanna is a graduate of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in journalism. He serves in the children’s ministry at Fellowship Church in Fort Worth, and is a frequent guest speaker for local organizations, including PRSA and the American Advertising Federation – Fort Worth. Hanna has also been published in numerous publications, including this year’s 2013 “Digital PR Guidebook. 

“When Chip asks me, ‘Wanna see something cool?’ – and he asks me that a lot – I always answer, ‘Heck, yeah!’” said Balcom. “That's because, when Chip says ‘something cool,’ what he often means is ‘something that will make our clients wildly successful.’ I’m proud that his contributions to the industry have been recognized.”

About Balcom Agency
Innovation meets inspiration every day at Balcom Agency in Fort Worth, Texas. Founded in 1993, the agency’s core services include branding, design, marketing communications, interactive, social media, public relations and media planning. Balcom makes great things happen for a roster of local, regional and national clients, including: Justin Boots, Tony Lama Boots, Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company, USMD Hospitals, the Neeley School of Business at TCU, Norman Regional Health System, ConvaTec, Southwest Bank, Cash America, The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Barnett Shale Energy Education Council.