Hootenanny partners with Mark A Ward to expand design

Hootenanny has expanded its design department via a partnership with CD / motion graphics designer Mark A Ward, who has returned to Chicago after 18 years in New York.

Ward had moved to New York in 1998 where he worked with Click 3X before starting his own design firm, Threeoeight, in 2001 and whose clients include Conde Nast publications, Hogarthe marketing implementation agency, Viacom and various TV and cable networks.

His firm and Hootenanny recently collaborated on a Havas Worldwide Sears Craftsman campaign involving motion graphics.

Mark A Ward

“Graham Metzger has been covering the majority of our design needs until now,” says EP Don Avila. “He’s a creative editor and accomplished designer and will be joining forces on design projects as well.

“I’m excited to be working alongside Mark,” says Metzger, who recently edited for on-going Network Health Insurance projects, Winn-Dixie and First Tennessee Bank. “It will be great to have multiple points of view allowing us to create even more outstanding work.”

Ward and the Hootenanny partners have a history together starting with Ward and Liz Tate having been college friends together at Northwestern University. Before moving to New York, Ward spent three years at Avenue Edit, with Tate, Avila and FX artist Jim Annerino, who founded Hootenanny in 2008.

Ward, who came back Chicago for family reasons, has an office in Albany Park. “I’m happy to have reconnected with my friends in the business,” he says.

“Working with the Hootenanny team will allow me to design and execute more creative and broader visions for our clients.”

Hootenanny is located at 230 E. Ohio; phone, 312/266-0777.