To obtain high-res images, please e-mail ledwards@wrayward.com

Marketing communications agency Wray Ward has grown its digital development team, hiring Josh Ashton as digital creative director and John Manning and Jack Sharkey as front-end developers and promoting Geoff Parish to technology director.

“We build applications and online interactions that empower users and brands to connect,” said John Roberts, vice president and executive creative director of Wray Ward. “Our digital team’s strong creative background allows them to seamlessly create meaningful interactions between brands and their target audiences online.”

Before joining Wray Ward, Ashton served as a senior art director at Union and BFG Communications, where he led teams of UX and visual designers. Previously, he held art director and senior designer titles at several digital and traditional agencies. His experience includes projects for Nike, Coca-Cola, Duke Energy, NASCAR and Advance Auto Parts. His work has been recognized with multiple ADDY awards, W3 Awards, Awwwards web awards, a Webby Award and others. Ashton received his bachelor of science in graphic design/advertising from Liberty University.

Manning comes to Wray Ward from Union in Charlotte, where he served as a developer and worked with clients including Bojangles’, Hendrick Motorsports, Allen Tate and Discovery Place. He earned a bachelor of arts in studio art from Wake Forest University.

Sharkey previously served as a website designer/developer at Aviv Moon Productions in Charlotte, where he developed websites for People’s Choice Organics and professional recording artists. He began his career as a digital marketing specialist at Townsquare Interactive. A graduate of Boston University’s School of Management, Sharkey co-founded iChase the Cure, a non-profit organization dedicated to funding pediatric brain tumor research.

In his new role as technology director, Parish oversees all aspects of the development process including strategy, technology assessments and recommendations, and development standards and best practices. He joined Wray Ward in 2008 as a senior web developer and has developed websites in a range of styles for a variety of clients and end uses. He has supported clients including VELUX, Sunbrella, TUUCI and Belgard and has worked on numerous award-winning projects during his tenure. Prior to joining Wray Ward, Parish worked for RightMinds and Richmond.com in Richmond, Virginia, where he was a web developer. Parish received his bachelor of arts in economics from the University of Michigan.

About Wray Ward
Wray Ward is the home of passionately creative thinkers. The creative marketing communications agency serves clients in categories from home to healthcare and automotive to energy, with a specialty in building brands that elevate the style, comfort and function of the American home. With a deep integration across service offerings, including insights, strategic brand planning, media planning and buying, advertising, digital, public relations, video production and search, Wray Ward delivers intelligent, engaging and results-driven work.

The agency’s clients include Belgard® Hardscapes, BRITAX USA, Crescent Communities, Dal-Tile Corporation, Duke Energy, Huber Engineered Woods, Glen Raven Inc. and its Sunbrella® brand, La-Z-Boy Casegoods, TUUCI®, VELUX® and WIX® Filters. wrayward.com | @wrayward