Triangle Art Director Goes to White House for Superbowl Champs Pittsburgh Steelers Reception

Raleigh, N.C. (May 28, 2009)
What was a 22-year-old art director with the Triangle Ad Agency MSA doing at a White House reception on May 21 for the NFL Superbowl Champs Pittsburgh Steelers?

MSA's Adam Hajnos [pronounced Hey-nos] of Durham was on assignment for a Pittsburgh area newspaper. And, he has the photos to prove it! In fact, he got the White House assignment as the result of his covering a Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys NFL game in Dec. '08 – his first assignment for the paper.

An amateur shutterbug, Hajnos is MSA's creative wunderkind since joining in 2008. A sampling of his photos can be viewed on the MSA Website: VIEW PHOTOS

"It was an awesome experience to be on the White House lawn with President Obama and the Steelers," Hajnos said. “The team was also working with wounded soldiers from Iraq to create care packages for soldiers serving there, and I was also able to capture images of their effort, which was incredible. I was at the White House for about an hour, but it was worth the six hours drive to be able to photograph the event," Hajnos said.

How did Hajnos get both assignments? It was through his uncle, David Sutor, a sports reporter with the Mainline Newspapers in Ebensburg, PA. When Sutor was assigned to cover the White House event, he asked Hajnos if he wanted another opportunity. Without hesitating Hajnos agreed, and within 48hrs. his press credential was in hand.

"We were thrilled for Adam. How often do you get the opportunity to be invited to the White House? said Lewis Finch, MSA president. "He's a valuable member of our creative team at MSA and his enthusiasm is infectious," Finch said.

At MSA, Hajnos works on the SUBWAY account, creating concept designs for upcoming promotions as well as collateral material and on occasion creating print ads for local SUBWAY markets.

What's next? "My sports 'wish list' is shooting the Carolina Panthers winning the Superbowl, and the Hurricanes taking the Stanley Cup," Hajnos said. He also enjoys shooting concerts and recently covered the Dave Matthews Band at the Time-Warner Amphitheater at Walnut Creek for The Indy Week newspaper. His concert portfolio includes the Smashing Pumpkins, Levon Helm, the legendary drummer for The Band, and bluegrass performers The Greencards and David Holt. While he hopes to get more freelance work with Indy Week and other publications, Hajnos is intent on getting his side-business, "The FlyingRooster" – a photography business with his friend James Fay, off the ground.

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. Based in Raleigh, NC, MSA maintains offices in Washington, DC and New Haven, CT. Ranked as the sixth-largest agency in the Triangle region by the Triangle Business Journal, 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