Introducing The Echo, the one-stop recap shop for Kansas City ad community newsworthy nuggets and industry happenings from the past week. If it's KC agency news and it's happened this past week, you can rehear it here.

This week on The Echo:

Meers Advertising Appoints Jeff Mott As Chief Operating Officer

Sam Meers, president and CEO of Meers Advertising, a national digital marketing and advertising agency based in Kansas City, MO, today announces the appointment of Jeff Mott as chief operating officer. The COO position is a new one at the agency. Mott, 46, joins Meers on September 5.

Mott comes to Meers after serving as director of the Leadership Institute at Washburn University. Prior to that, he was vice president for Customer-Base Management and Loyalty Marketing at Sprint Corp., responsible for the revenue generated by 17 million Sprint wireless and wireline consumers. His tenure at Sprint lasted 9 years.

“The growth we have experienced as an agency in the past two years and our plans for future growth require us to bring in the best talent to run the operational side of this agency,” said Meers. “Jeff's leadership and management experience make him perfect for this position and mandate. As an officer of Sprint, he led large teams of employees through extraordinary industry transitions in telecom.” 

Meers Advertising Selected To Handle Johnson County Kansas Yard Waste Marketing Campaign

Meers Advertising has been selected to work with Johnson County (KS) Department of Health and Environment and the county’s Stormwater Management Program to create a marketing campaign to help educate the community about options for managing yard waste. Meers will be working with T2+Back Alley Films as their video production partner for the campaign, which will include public service announcements. Meers was selected after a formal agency search and review.

Earlier this year, new rules went into effect in Johnson County that restrict yard waste from being disposed of as trash in a landfill. Residents have many options for managing yard waste including backyard composting, mulch mowing, contracting for curbside pickup, or dropping it off themselves at a composting facility. In addition to educating residents on the options, the campaign will also serve to emphasize that not only is it illegal to dump leaves and grass in storm drains, creeks and streams, but this improper activity can lead to odors from decaying yard waste and flooding due to plugged storm sewers.

“We are truly excited about working with Meers and their partner T2,” said Julie Coon, Johnson County’s Waste Management Specialist. “During our search for an agency partner, we were impressed by Meers’ strategic approach, their engaging creative thinking and their sincere interest in our goals. We are confident they will help us effectively communicate with our Johnson County community about this important message.”

Catherine Forbes Joins David Morris Photography As Relationship Marketing Director

Catherine Forbes has joined David Morris Photography as Relationship Marketing Director. In this role, Forbes is responsible for sales and relationship building for the photography business.

"Catherine is a respected marketer who can develop a cohesive plan to help promote and grow our business," said David Morris, Owner, David Morris Photography.  "More importantly, Catherine's unique skills spanning creative through management will deliver a great client experience."

Forbes, a veteran of both Advertising Agency and Corporate Marketing environments, has a proven track record in creative and account services, brand, and marketing communications serving local, regional, national and international clients. For the last several years, she has been an independent marketing consultant helping select clients with marketing and brand strategy, agency searches, process analysis, and the creative development of communication tools. As a result of her broad and experience-rich career, Forbes brings innovative marketing ideas and a fresh eye to David Morris Photography. She has a BSAS, Advertising/Design, from the University of Delaware.

Branit Fx Gets Emmy Nomination For Breaking Bad Vfx

Bruce Branit and Branit FX, based in Kansas City, have been nominated for a 2012 Prime Time Emmy Award by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The nomination is for Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role. The award is in honor of their excellent visual effects work on AMC Network's heavily awarded show Breaking Bad. The critically acclaimed television show garnered a total of 13 nominations including Best Drama, Best Actor, two Best Supporting Actor nominations and Best Supporting Actress.

Branit's nomination as CGI Supervisor is his 5th Emmy nomination in a Visual Effects category. Also nominated was Branit FX's Sean Joseph as CG Artist. The company was also honored previously this year by the prestigious Visual Effects Society for their work on Breaking Bad.