A.L. “Tot” Morton founded our agency in the basement of his Gainesville home. An advertising sales director for a national poultry publication, Morton set up shop using all the knowledge and contacts gathered in his 13 years in the poultry industry.

John Vardeman, a former Atlanta Journal-Constitution bureau chief and national desk editor, joined the agency as a partner. He brought with him the vision for strong public relations, strategic marketing, and regional business development. The firm’s name changed to Morton Vardeman & Associates.

Longtime creative director, Tina Carlson, was promoted to executive vice president and named a partner. Carlson’s name became the newest “suffix” to join the signature green ampersand of the agency’s logo, making it “Morton Vardeman & Carlson.”