(KANSAS CITY) – BarkleyREI has hired Laurentiu (Lau) Ardelean as creative director. In his new role, he will oversee all creative executions for BarkleyREI including website development and online campaigns. Ardelean replaces Alina Constantinescu and will report to Paul Magnani, president, BarkleyREI.

Ardelean formerly served as senior ideator and art director at Organic, Inc. He worked on clients including Chrysler Sebring, Jeep and Geek Squad. His work for Jeep, an interactive choose-your-own-adventure film titled “Jeep and the Way Beyond Trail” was a Cyber Lion finalist at the Cannes International Advertising Festival in 2007. As senior ideator, Ardelean was an integral part of Organic’s progressive design and concept generation team. Prior to Organic, Ardelean worked at Young & Rubicam/Wunderman on the Lincoln and Mercury accounts.

“Lau has an impressive background, both in terms of creative ability and his leadership on idea development,” said Magnani. ”Lau joins BarkleyREI at a time when interactive marketing is an essential tool for brands in every category. I am confident he will bring inventive solutions to the table.”

“BarkleyREI’s dedication to ideas and pushing the envelope through empathy-driven experience has been inspiring from the very first conversation I had with Paul,” said
Ardelean. “As a whole, Barkley is an example in this industry, because it places importance on what marketing communication is about: an idea’s viability and the audience. My goal is to inspire the creative team in strengthening idea generation and the way those ideas take life visually and strategically.”

About Barkley:
Barkley is the largest employee-owned agency of its kind. Founded in 1964, the company has 325 partners offering a full range of marketing communications services including advertising, public relations, cause branding, sponsorships and events, relationship marketing, social media, design, media planning and buying, motion graphics, research and interactive marketing. Barkley has offices in Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, with additional field offices across the nation.

About BarkleyREI:
BarkleyREI is an interactive specialty agency. In March 2008, Barkley acquired the business assets of the agency formerly known as Ripple Effects Interactive, re-branding the new venture BarkleyREI. BarkleyREI’s services include website and application development, strategy and insights, user experience, creative design and online marketing. BarkleyREI has 40 partners with offices inPittsburgh and Philadelphia. More info: www.barkleyREI.com.