Former New Orleans ad executive buys stake in STANANDLOU

Houston Business Journal – by Christine Hall Houston Business Journal

Friday, October 26, 2007

Although last year’s proposed merger deal between Houston-based StanandLou Advertising and Keating Magee Advertising of New Orleans didn’t pan out, the two firms finally established a link.

This week, Michelle Reed, a former managing partner of Keating Magee’s Houston office, acquired a 50 percent ownership in the Houston creative shop.

“Lou (Congelio) and I are equally yoked, with him being on the creative side and me on the business side,” Reed says. “He realized he needed a business partner, and I knew owning my own business or being a partner in one was definitely the path for me.”

Lou Congelio, president and chief creative officer of StanandLou, would not comment on the exact investment amount Reed made in the 10-person company.

“… I wasn’t necessarily looking for a partner, but after working with Michelle on a full-time basis, I don’t know how I could work without her,” Congelio says.

The “Stan” in StanandLou, Stan Mays, left the firm several years ago, but Congelio retained the StanandLou name.

Congelio says Reed possesses a skill set he hasn’t seen anywhere else, which combines owning her own marketing consultancy as well as handling marketing on the corporate side.

Prior to joining Keating Magee, Reed founded Advantage Consulting, an independent marketing solutions provider in New Orleans. She began her career in consumer products marketing with EPI Marketing and BrandDirect Marketing Inc., both in Connecticut.

Congelio says bringing a business-focused partner on board will free him up to focus on the creative side.

“Running the business was taking so much of my time that I felt the creative side was falling off,” he says. “Our reputation in town is for creative, and if we didn’t have that, we would be in a world of hurt.

HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIM TURNS INTO ASSET

STANANDLOU is pleased to announce that Michelle Reed has acquired 50-percent ownership of the Houston full-service advertising and marketing agency.

“It’s all about finding the right chemistry,” said Lou Congelio, agency founder and principal.  “Michelle and I have clicked well during the time that she has been working with our agency.  We’re finding that clients who came to STANANDLOU originally for our creative product are now staying for our strategic capabilities.” Congelio added, “Michelle puts clients at ease. Her experience, education and business acumen are a great asset for the agency. Clients know they’re in good hands and I feel the same way.”

A New Orleans native, Ms. Reed moved to Houston as a result of Hurricane Katrina. After spending several months sharing donated office space with several Houston companies, Michelle landed at STANANDLOU.
Prior to joining STANANDLOU, she was the vice president of account service for Keating Magee, a New Orleans based advertising agency. Ms. Reed began her career in consumer products marketing with EPI Marketing and BrandDirect Marketing in Connecticut. She is a veteran marketer with experience in both consumer and business-to-business marketing.  Previously, she was a self-employed marketing consultant working with a variety of businesses and non-profits, helping them to create and implement marketing and business development plans. Ms. Reed also founded Advantage Consulting, an independent marketing solutions provider serving area business.   She earned a marketing degree from the University of New Orleans and her MBA from Tulane.

Rhea Diaz Joins STANANDLOU as Account Executive

STANANDLOU has added Rhea Diaz to the position of Account Executive at the Houston full service advertising and marketing agency.

In this position, Diaz will work closely with clients JourneyLite, Tila’s, and Buc-ee’s. She will also assist with clients UHY Advisors and NOEL Furniture.

Diaz holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Southwestern Adventist University.
STANANDLOU is a full-service communication firm based in Houston, with projected 2007 billings of $16 million.�Starting as a creative boutique in 1988, the agency has grown to a full service agency regionally respected for pushing the creative envelope and providing strategic results.�Clients include UHY Advisors, Redstone Golf, JourneyLite, and Monterrey’s.

Krista Shamaly Joins STANANDLOU as Account Executive

STANANDLOU has added Krista Shamaly to position of Account Executive at the Houston full service advertising and marketing agency.

Shamaly’s work experience includes an Account Services position at GSD&M for the Texas Lottery account and Advertising Sales/Public Relations for the magazine publisher Tri-star Media. Her most recent position was as Event Marketing Manager for Jayco, which runs 32 Sonic Drive-In restaurant franchises.

Shamaly graduated from Southwest with a BA in Liberal Arts/Speech Communication.

STANANDLOU is a full-service communication firm based in Houston, with projected 2007 billings of $16 million.�Starting as a creative boutique in 1988, the agency has grown to a full service agency regionally respected for pushing the creative envelope and providing strategic results.�Clients include UHY Advisors, Redstone Golf, JourneyLite, and Monterey’s.

BENITA ZAMORA JOINS STANANDLOU AS ASSISTANT ACCOUNT COORDINATOR

STANANDLOU announced the appointment of Benita Zamora as Assistant Account Coordinator at the Houston full service advertising and marketing agency.

Zamora’s responsibilities include managing projects and production schedules for client accounts.

Zamora is a past Vice-President of the Association for Women in Communication, past Media Director and Co-Account Coordinator for the 2005 National Student Advertising Competition team for UH, and past President of the American Advertising Federation-UH Chapter.

Zamora graduated Magna Cum Laude B.A. in Advertising from the University of Houston. Her professional affiliations include the Houston Advertising Federation.

STANANDLOU APPOINTS MICHELLE REED Vice-President

STANANDLOU announced the appointment of Michelle Reed as Vice President of Strategic Marketing at the Houston full service advertising and marketing agency.

Reed’s responsibilities include oversight of the marketing strategy for all STANANDLOU clients.  She will lead the account service and media teams in planning and client management functions. Her focus will be on strategic planning for all STANANDLOU clients and monitoring the success of clients’ marketing initiatives.

Reed began her career in consumer products marketing with EPI Marketing and BrandDirect Marketing in Connecticut. Reed is a veteran marketer with experience in both consumer and business-to-business marketing.  Previously, she was a self-employed marketing consultant working with a variety of businesses and non-profits, helping them to create and implement marketing and business development plans. Reed also founded Advantage Consulting, an independent marketing solutions provider serving area business.

Reed earned a marketing degree from the University of New Orleans and her MBA from Tulane.