Venerable St. Pete advertising agency promotes chief strategy officer to president

St. Petersburg-based Paradise Advertising & Marketing Inc., celebrating 20 years in business this year, has promoted Chief Strategy Officer Rudy Webb to the role of president.

According to a news release, Webb has been with the firm, which specializes in tourism and hospitality marketing, for 14 years, starting as an account manager. He was promoted to vice president of client services before becoming chief strategy officer.

As Paradise’s president, the release states, Webb will work closely with CEO Barbara Karasek and COO Tony Karasek, the company’s co-owners.

“We are fortunate to have a homegrown president,” Barbara Karasek states in the release. “When we acquired Paradise almost five years ago, we knew that future leadership would come from within, and likely with Rudy at the helm. As he has taken on more responsibilities, he has led by example with infectious and gracious diplomacy and a huge heart that truly cares for people. We are proud to be represented in the industry by a leader who is admired and respected by both peers and colleagues.”

Paradise Advertising & Marketing was founded in 2002 by late advertising icon Cedar Hames. Today, it has 53 employees in 12 states and works with clients across the country.

“I am grateful for the confidence and recognition, and I am in awe of our talented team, our clients and the work we’ve accomplished,” Webb states in the release. “The last few years our agency has invested significantly in a diverse team with varying skill sets, impacting our people, culture, processes, and organizational purpose. When I started, we had 15 team members. Our growth is exciting for us, but even more so for the clients and communities we serve.”