Four staff members at Osborn & Barr have earned enough stripes for a promotion. The company says rewarding its valuable employees ultimately rewards its customers with familiar and expert representatives.
Osborn & Barr Communications (O&B), one of North America’s leading full service communications agencies, has promoted key staff members to further strengthen its ability to supply clients with innovative and strategic advertising, public relations, digital marketing and media services.
“At Osborn & Barr Communications, our greatest asset is our employees,” says Joe Osborn, president. “Their knowledge and expertise allow us to provide our clients with best strategic counsel and tactical implementation, so that they receive maximum results.”
Rhett Hawkins brings extensive experience in agricultural marketing and management to his new position as vice president, account director, Monsanto. In this role, Hawkins provides leadership to the twelve-person account team that provides strategic brand and product marketing and issue management for Monsanto. 
As a member of O&B’s OBLT committee, he will assist in setting the agency’s strategic direction. Hawkins also serves as the communication chairman for the Gateway Chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association.
Amber Spafford has been named media project manager for Intervet Inc., Specialty Fertilizer Products, the Beef Checkoff and John Deere Worldwide Commercial & Consumer Equipment. Spafford brings a successful career in strategic media planning and buying, including more than six years at O&B ˆ to the new role.
Sarah Robinett recently joined the O&B digital marketing team as interactive project manager. Her responsibilities include multimedia project management, strategic planning, new business development, and identification and development of emerging technologies. 
Previously, Sarah served as an account supervisor on the public relations team.
Karen Pfautsch was promoted to senior account executive on O&B’s association team in recognition of her consistently successful efforts on behalf of the United Soybean Board. Pfautsch’s responsibilities include managing the state communications support project, grassroots and promotions project and soybean rust initiative communications for the United Soybean Board.