New full service advertising and marketing agency takes off
Contributed by
Catalyst Advertising

Michael Albo, Steve Burlison, and Robert Barge have joined forces to create a catalyst in the advertising and marketing world.

This new full-service advertising and marketing agency opened its doors on October 1, 2006, and can already claim to have three major clients and more than $1,000,000 in annualized billings.

Catalyst Advertising, LLC has located its offices in the popular Vista area of downtown. The three principals of this firm bring a vast array of marketing capabilities and experiences to Catalyst.

Business Director, Michael Albo is a 15-year marketing veteran with an MBA from the prestigious University of Michigan. His broad and diverse marketing experiences involve almost every marketing capacity for companies such as Zimmer Inc. Ryder transportation, Progressive Insurance, The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald and most recently with The State newspaper.

The firm's marketing director, Steve Burlison, has also been in the marketing industry for more than 15 years spending much of that time as an art director, creative director, brand manager and innovator. He has won more than 65 marketing and advertising awards highlighted in 2004 when he won more first place international newspaper marketing awards than any other U.S. newspaper (finished second in the World). He has also won local Addy awards and the coveted In-Show award.

Creative Director Rob Barge has more than 20 years experience in creative direction and illustration in the disciplines of advertising, marketing, editorial, and journalism. His work has been recognized by professional organizations worldwide. Having won 20 first place awards from the South Carolina Press Association, his work has been honored by the Atlanta Advertising Club, the Society for News Design, Print Magazine and the International Newspaper Marketing Association.

"Mike Albo, Steve Burlison, and Rob Barge are tremendously talented. Each one brings individual strengths and top-level skill to this partnership. Combined, the three have a wealth of experience and incredible creativity" says Ann Caulkins, president and publisher of The Charlotte Observer and the former president and publisher of The State newspaper.

"We have been constantly impressed by the vision that the Catalyst team has brought to us as we continue to grow and expand our services in the region," says Lucinda Brasington, Director of Marketing for ERA Wilder Realty.