Advertising/Marketing Pro Stuart Westland, Joins MSA as Account Director

Raleigh, N.C. (July 10, 2008)
RALEIGH — Stuart Westland, an advertising and marketing executive with agency experience in both North Carolina and New York was named Account Director at MSA. The announcement was made today by Jan Johnson, vice president, director of account management.

MSA, a Triangle area advertising and communications agency, ranked as the fourth largest in the region, according to the Triangle Business Journal, is a division of Think Partnership, Inc. d.b.a. Kowabunga!® (AMEX:THK), an international leader in interactive performance-based marketing and related Internet technologies.

In his new post, Westland will oversee several of MSA's accounts including the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund, Mountain State University and Cree LED Lighting Solutions.

"Stuart brings to MSA an incredibly diverse skill set, including a strong branding background, which will be instrumental as the agency continues to grow," Johnson said. "With MSA recently adding several new clients including the North Carolina Aquariums and the NC State Fair, Stuart's joining the agency is a welcomed addition, given his wealth of experience."

Westland comes to MSA from Overton's/Gander Mountain Direct in Greenville, NC, where he was the Director of Marketing since 2007. Previously, he served as Vice President, Director of Marketing for Performance Bicycle in Chapel Hill, the nation’s leading cycling-specific specialty retailer. Westland began his advertising career in New York, spending time with Wells, Rich, Greene BDDP and Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising before heading to North Carolina to work at McKinney & Silver. At McKinney, he worked with Johnson on several accounts.

Westland is a graduate of the University of Missouri, where he received a Bachelor of Journalism. A resident of Chapel Hill, Westland enjoys sailing and cycling.

About MSA

Established in 1991, MSA is a full-service, integrated marketing and communications firm providing traditional and interactive advertising, broadcast production, public relations, branding services, research, Web development and mystery shopping. MSA's diverse client list includes UNC Health Care and SUBWAY® restaurants, among others. For more information, contact MSA at (919) 463-9680 or visit www.thinkmsa.com.