LAS VEGAS – (Feb. 19, 2025) Longtime advertising creative executive Chris Smith has rejoined B&P, a full-service advertising, media and public relations agency that has also hired former journalist and communications professional Kimberly De La Cruz.
Smith, who initially worked at B&P from 2017 to 2021 as a copywriter and broadcast producer, returned in January to serve as the agency’s executive creative director. Among other accomplishments, he has developed multi-channel media campaigns for several national and local brands, including the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Clark County Health District, Las Vegas hotel-casinos such as the Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and more. His award-winning body of work encompasses the health care, hospitality, cannabis, real estate and agricultural industries, as well as others.
During his more than 20 years in the advertising industry, Smith has owned and operated a boutique creative firm for more than a decade and directed teams of other creatives while developing campaigns for brands owned by Bayer Corporation.
B&P President Chuck Johnston was eager to welcome Smith back to the agency, saying “Chris has the unique ability to view our industry holistically. Whether it’s traditional creative elements or modern digital ads, he understands the agency in its entirety. His intelligence, wit and passion make him one of a kind. It means a lot to us that top talents like Chris want to return to B&P after gaining valuable experience elsewhere.”
B&P also brings on De La Cruz, a former reporter and columnist at the Las Vegas Review-Journal who went on to gain years of international public relations experience. As a PR account executive, De La Cruz will represent a range of clients such as Optum and Southwest Medical, among others in the health care, gaming and real estate industries.
She is no stranger to working with clients in these and other industries, including tech, food and beverage, hospitality, entertainment, fine art and finance. Her portfolio spans more than 10 years of work in multiple markets on six continents. In her former roles – as public relations lead for a global tech company and supervisor at a national marketing firm – she led teams of public relations and social media specialists to create and execute successful communication campaigns for a variety of clients.
“What attracted us to Kimberly was her extensive PR background, along with her familiarity with and success in Las Vegas,” Johnston said. “Her talent and experience will help us continue to serve our clients at the highest level, and we look forward to the skills and creativity she brings.”
About B&P
B&P is a full-service advertising, media and public relations agency serving a broad range of local, regional and national clients in such categories as hospitality, gaming, technology, health care and real estate. The agency’s scope of services includes consulting, strategic planning, advertising, design, public relations, community outreach, special events, and media planning and buying. For more information, call (702) 967-2222 or visit www.bpadlv.com.
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