1. February3, 2015
To whomit mayconcern:
WhenMaija Hurst requestedthatIwrite a letterof recommendation,Iwas happy tohave the chance. I workat Erwin
PenlandinGreenville,SC. We’re the largestfull-service agencyinthe southeastand, inmyrole I manage a broad range
of clientwork. ImetMaija yearsago throughmy wife whenshe andMaijawere co-workers. Maijawasrunningthe
social mediaeffortsof the local REIco-opat the time and,because we both“spoke the same language”she became my
go-topersonforconversationwhenIwasat REI-relatedevents. Throughthese conversations,Iquicklybecame
impressedwithMaija’sstrategicanddigital creds.
One of the thingsthatimpressedme mostwithMaijawasher abilitytohumanize a large,national corporationinaway
that itcould have credible dialoguewithlocal,Greenville customers. She tirelesslyworkedtomake sure thather
digital/social strategywentbeyondwordsonascreenand providedtangible value forlocal consumers. She
understandsthatenthusiastswouldratherfindrelevantinformationthanhave itforcedonthemand she isfocusedbut
patientwhenitcomestosettingKPIsanddesigning/executingsocial mediamarketing campaigns. And,she’swillingto
do the leg-workandoffline effortstomake sure thatshe getsresults. Thisincludedmanyeffortswhere she wouldput
ina full dayat workand thenattendlocal events,meetingsandgroupstoadvance the cause of hercompany. I watched
as she builtstrongtieswith local personalitiesandofficials—recognizingthatcredible third-partyrelationshipscandrive
engagementandadvocacyforherbrand.
On topof all of this,Maijais one of the nicestpeople you’ll evermeet. Hergoingawaypartyat the Greenville REIwas
one of the largestof itssort I’ve everattended. Herteamslove her. Herfriendslove her. She hasthe rare talentof
beingsmartand nice at the same time.
So,I’m happyto recommendMaijato yourorganization. Pleasefeelfree tocontactme (see informationbelow) if you
wouldlike tofurtherdiscuss.
All the best,
Ty Thornhill
SeniorVice President, GroupAccountDirector
ErwinPenlandAdvertising
864-672-5564
ty.thornhill@erwinpenland.com
www.erwinpenland.com