News Archive

Edwards New Bluegill Internet Specialist

Posted: June 10, 2009
Robby Edwards has joined Bluegill Creative as an Internet technology and programming specialist.

Edwards came to Bluegill after 12 years with the University of Tennessee where he developed and supported the school’s web-based re-accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. He also had a role in developing UT’s on-line student class enrollment system. Edwards majored in electrical and computer engineering at UT.

His leisure time activities include photography, hiking and other outdoor activities. He likes to travel whenever possible with his wife and two daughters.

Bluegill Wins National Healthcare Marketing Awards

Posted: May 8, 2009
Bluegill won 5 national marketing awards from the Aster Awards competition. The Aster Awards, one of the largest competitions of its kind, recognize excellence in healthcare advertising and marketing. The 2009 competition attracted approximately 3,000 entries.

Bluegill winners included annual reports, event invitations, and websites for Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic, Commonwealth Orthopaedics of Northern Virginia, OrthoArkansas of Little Rock, OrthoTennessee, and Washington Radiology of Washington D.C.

Judging was based on creativity, layout and design, functionality, message effectiveness, production quality and overall appeal.

Addy Sweep!

Posted: February 2009
Bluegill Creative goes five for five in the 2009 ADDY competition.

All of Bluegill Creative’s entries captured awards at the American Advertising Federation-Knoxville’s 44th Annual ADDY gala. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s new web site and Foothills Land Conservancy’s annual report won Silver ADDYs.

Collective materials for Foothills' annual Conservation Celebration took a bronze ADDY, as did a commemorative publication for Bush Brothers & Company’s 100th Anniversary and the University of Tennessee Athletics’ annual report.

Twenty-four firms and organizations received 256 ADDYs for creativity, originality and strategy in print, broadcast and interactive media.

Caryn Schafer Joins Bluegill Creative

Posted: January 2009
Caryn Schafer has joined the design team at Bluegill Creative Integrated Communications.

Schafer is a graduate of John Brown University in Arkansas, earning a bachelor of science with a double major in graphic design and illustration. She previously was the in-house designer for The Soderquist Center in Siloam Springs, Ark., and most recently a freelance designer.

A native of Kansas City, Mo, Schafer loves exploring children’s books and listening to jazz in her free time. She is enjoying getting to know the Knoxville culture with her husband, Mark, and experimenting with the interior design of their new house. Schafer’s professional interests include creating and supporting brand identities and educating people on the value of good design.

“I am thrilled to be working in a creative environment that is passionate about the process and existence of good design. It’s fun to be one of the fish!”

Ryan White Joins Bluegill Creative

Posted: July 2008
Ryan White has joined the design team at Bluegill Creative.

A graduate of East Tennessee State University, White is focusing on web and design projects at Bluegill. Formerly a graphic and web designer for Knox County government, White came to Bluegill from Red Clay Interactive in Gainesville, Ga.

White, who is originally from New Tazewell, enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashley, and their three dogs. He also enjoys playing basketball and mountain biking.

“I am excited about this opportunity,” said White. “I am delighted to be working for a great firm such as Bluegill Creative.”

Bluegill Partner Wins Locander Marketing Award

Posted: April 2008
Billy Rivet, a partner in Bluegill Creative, is the 2008 recipient of the Locander Award for extraordinary service to the Knoxville chapter of the American Marketing Association. 

The award honors Dr. William B. Locander, who founded KAMA, an active chapter of the American Marketing Association. It was presented at KAMA’s annual gala, which this year marked the organization’s 20th anniversary.

Rivet currently is KAMA Vice President of Communications.

Rivet and Dan Alton founded Bluegill Creative in 2000. The firm provides design and marketing communications to clients throughout the Southeast in healthcare, retail, business to business, real estate, finance and non profit organizations.

Web Design Wins National Award

Posted: December 2007

A website designed by Bluegill Creative for Commonwealth Orthopaedics, a 38-physician orthopedic group in northern Virginia, is a national winner for best overall Internet medical practice-clinic site.

eHealthcare Strategy & Trends, a leading Internet publication and online resource for the healthcare industry, selected Commonwealth Orthopaedics as one of four national winners of Leadership Awards for Websites.

Selection was based on delivery of strong health content, interactivity, medical care support, integration with the organization’s operations, strength of Web design and ease of navigation. More than 1,100 entries were received from a wide range of healthcare organizations.

“We are thrilled to receive this distinction for our new website,” said William Harvey, Commonwealth Orthopaedics chief executive officer. “Since its launch in February of 2007, we have received compliments from patients and visitors on the website’s content, design, and the ease of navigation.”

Kelli Shell Joins Bluegill Creative

Posted: October 2007

Kelli Shell has joined Bluegill Creative’s graphic design staff.

Billy Rivet, Bluegill partner, said Shell’s experience will broaden the firm’s offerings in the corporate and non-profit sectors.

“We are very fortunate to have an individual with Kelli’s background and portfolio join us,” Rivet said. “She brings a wealth of talent and experience to Bluegill and its clients.”

Shell has more than 15 years in graphic design and project management, having worked with several Fortune 500 companies, including Johnson & Johnson, Dow Chemical Co. and Philips Consumer Electronics. Her professional interests include developing and extending brand communications. She most recently was with Asen Strategic Advertising and Marketing.

Her nonprofit experience includes graphic design work for area churches and other charitable organizations, such as The Wellness Community–East Tennessee, the Knoxville Chapter of the American Red Cross, The Love Kitchen and East Tennessee Youth Rodeo Association.

Bluegill Creative Adds Staff, Wins Telly Award

Posted: May 2007

Bluegill Creative has added two new staff members and has been notified that it won a 2007 Telly Award.

Bryan H. Starmer has joined the Knoxville design and marketing agency as a graphic designer and John Clark as staff writer.

Starmer, a 2006 advertising graduate of the University of Tennessee, brings nearly 10 years of experience as a graphic designer and production manager as well as a practice manager for a local physicians’ group.

Clark most recently was a writer with Asen Strategic Advertising and Marketing and previously was director of media relations for the UT system.

“We’re honored to have professionals with such diverse backgrounds join Bluegill,” said Billy Rivet, Bluegill partner. “Their talents dovetail nicely with our current staff and together we have a team that benefits our clients at several levels.”

Bluegill received the Telly Award for a video production for U.S. Cellular’s East Region. The Telly Award is an international competition that recognizes excellence in video and film by advertising agencies, production companies, television and cable stations and corporate video departments. Gary Brooks Productions and Cobblestone Entertainment assisted Bluegill with production.

“It is always gratifying to have your work recognized, but what’s really significant about this piece is how effective it was for our client, U.S. Cellular,” said Dan Alton, Bluegill partner.

New Design Talent

Bluegill Creative is proud to announce the addition of Donna McClure to our design team. With over 20 years of creative communications work, Donna brings a wealth of experience and award-winning talent to Bluegill.

Bluegill Partner joins the Board of the Knoxville AMA

Billy Rivet, a partner in Bluegill Creative, has been named the Vice President of Communications for the Knoxville Chapter of the American Marketing Association.

Bluegill spotlighted in the Greater Knoxville Business Journal

Bluegill's unique partnership with PYA was spotlighted in the GKBJ February 2006 issue... Read the article

Bluegill wins 2 ADDY Awards

The Knoxville Advertising Federation awarded Bluegill 2 ADDY Awards to be presented at a reception on February 18. Bluegill won for the Camel Manufacturing corporate identity and the K9SOS stationery package.

Partnership with Pershing Yoakley & Associates

Posted: October 2005

Bluegill recently formed a partnership with Pershing Yoakley & Associates, a healthcare consulting and accounting firm with over 100 professionals serving clients in 38 states from offices in Knoxville, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Tampa Bay. The relationship came as a result of the firm’s overlapping clients, working together on projects, and the ongoing need each firm saw for the other’s services.

“Seldom do you see such a natural fit of talents between two organizations. Together we provide expertise at a level usually unheard of in our fields," says Dan Alton, Bluegill Creative partner.