Capital Strategies Hires Billy Warden as Account Director

Firm adds personnel to its Media Relations, Account Services and Creative Services groups

Contact: Ken Eudy
919 882 1962

RALEIGH, N.C. -Capital Strategies, a strategic communication firm based in Raleigh, has named Billy Warden as account director, as well as adding four new members to its team of employees. Warden is a former executive producer at E! Entertainment Networks.

Warden has a diverse background in journalism, television programming and production, political communications and brand development. Most recently, he designed and implemented a communications plan that successfully influenced health care and civil justice legislation in the North Carolina General Assembly. As chief strategist with the N.C. Coalition for Patients' Rights, Warden helped to build and brand a grassroots organization, won the editorial support of North Carolina's major newspapers and developed alliances with groups such as AARP-NC and the state AFL-CIO.

Warden has also developed and produced a wide variety of television programs. He was a key part of the creative team that built E! into one of cable television's most recognized brands. His show credits include the pop culture staple "Live from the Red Carpet" featuring Joan Rivers and the pioneering "reality" series "Model." Another hit series, "Fashion Emergency," became the cornerstone of sister network, style. Later, at new media company Zoom Culture, Warden executive produced the series "Playground Earth" for Fox Sports International and the syndicated series "Hip-Hop Nation" for sponsor Universal Records. Other TV credits include work with VH1, PAX and the WB Network.

In 2000, Warden was communications director in the campaign of Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue.

Warden is a 1987 graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Communications and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern California.

Capital Strategies also welcomes two new members to its Account Services Group.

Lilyn Hester, a 1993 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, joins Capital Strategies as a media relations coordinator in the firm's Media Relations Group. Hester has an extensive background in journalism, having written for the News & Observer, the Herald-Sun, the Philadelphia Daily News, the Charlotte Observer, the News of Orange County and Southern Living Magazine. Hester will track client news coverage via Capital Strategies' NewsTracker and will provide media relations assistance to several account teams.

Liz Carroll, 2003 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, joins Capital Strategies as a project coordinator in the Account Services Group. While earning her B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications, Carroll completed an internship with Make-A Wish Foundation and a spring internship at Capital Strategies. Carroll gained experience in the field through researching and writing pitch letters for new business development, working on client event management, and doing research for Progress Energy, Meredith College and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.

Capital Strategies has also added to its Creative Services Group.

Tim Kiernan joins the group as a digital media designer. Kiernan is a graduate of North Carolina State University with Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Design and Mass Communication. His experience includes creating videos for the Center for Universal Design and the Mars Mission Research Center, both housed at North Carolina State University. Kiernan will focus on new business development, create a DVD for the University of North Carolina's new Carolina Physical Science Complex and will develop a video production for a Red Hat's international conference.

Matt Munoz has joined the Creative Services Group as a designer. While obtaining a BFA in Communication Arts and Graphic Design from East Carolina University, Munoz worked as a design and imaging associate for University Printing and Graphics. Through a graphic design co-op at IBM, Munoz produced print, Web and multimedia projects and collaborated with art directors and lead designers. Munoz directed a staff of three designers at Rebel Arts and Literary Magazine, developing the concept and design as well as the production of the magazine and music CD. Munoz will work on the Red Hat, City of Raleigh and NC Live account teams.

Capital Strategies is a strategic communication firm based in Raleigh. The company's services include public relations, public affairs, marketing communications and design. Capital Strategies has been recognized by PRWeek, the public relations industry's leading trade publication, as one of the nation's best Mid-Sized Agencies.