Paramore, a nationally-recognized digital agency, has hired tourism expert and West Virginia native Buddy Butler as their Business Development Director. In this role, Butler will grow the agency’s thriving tourism practice in the Mid-Atlantic region, with a focus on the West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and North Carolina markets.
Butler will be based in West Virginia, which is home to several current Paramore clients, including the Greenbrier Valley CVB, Winterplace Ski Resort and Adventures On the Gorge. This is the first satellite office for Paramore, who recently added TravelSouth (Atlanta, GA), Snohomish County (near Seattle, WA), and Peabody Essex Museum (Salem, MA) to their growing client portfolio.
“This move into the West Virginia market was a natural fit and Buddy’s deep tourism background allows us to focus even more on what is already a thriving sector for us,” said Hannah Paramore, President. “We have more business in West Virginia than any other state outside of Tennessee. It just makes sense to serve as the home base to grow our presence across the Mid-Atlantic region.”
Butler brings more than 20 years of tourism experience, most recently serving as an Account Director for Stonewall Retail Marketing, where he led the development of brand strategies, media planning and creative efforts. Butler served on the West Virginia Tourism Commission from 1999 to 2002, was named the chairman of the West Virginia Tourism Commission Grants Committee, where he oversaw more than $30 million in statewide tourism grants and served on the Marketing Advisory Committee for the West Virginia Division of Tourism. In 2002, Butler was named “Distinguished West Virginian” by Governor Bob Wise for his work in tourism. Butler is currently an adjunct professor at Marietta College in the Mass Media Department.
“I am excited about this evolution in my tourism career,” said Butler. “The talented people and visionary leadership at Paramore make us a strong contender for tourism products in West Virginia, Ohio and the surrounding states.”
The agency’s robust tourism roster includes the Tennessee Department of Tourism, the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, Morey’s Piers, The Frist Center for the Visual Arts and the Alabama Mountain Lakes Association.
About Paramore:
Paramore is a full-service interactive agency based in Nashville with happy and successful clients across the country. With capabilities in design, media, development, mobile and social, our rock star team has you covered. We’re a bit different in the fact that we don’t farm out work overseas. We’re making your stuff right here in the mighty Gulch area of Nashville. Want to learn more? Visit www.paramore.is. Or if you’re in Nashville, drop in, play ping pong, check out the newest app we’ve developed and maybe have a beer. Not local? Chances are Hannah is speaking (or dancing) at a conference near you. Check out her schedule here. You’ll be glad you did.
