Frequently Asked Questions

By now, you know that Media South is turning over its client accounts and operations to Designsensory. Change, even positive change, can create anxiety and uncertainty, especially when it comes to your business. We hope the following Q & A will answer some of your questions and put your mind at ease about any changes the turnover will create.


Are Designsensory and Media South now one company?

Beginning Feb. 23, Designsensory will be responsible for all of Media South’s active projects, client accounts and Media South employees. The combined businesses will maintain the name Designsensory.


Who is Designsensory and what do they do?

Designsensory is a highly recognized design and development firm that delivers an integrated range of brand, web, print and interactive services. Designsensory’s key executives are Joseph Nother, Creative Director & Principal, and Brandon Rochelle, Technical Director & Principal. They are hands-on managers, East Tennessee natives and have guided our business growth for over 8 years. Designsensory is proudly a certified Diversity Small Business and members of the Knoxville Chamber, AIGA---the professional association of design, and AAF---the American Advertising Federation.

Designsensory’s client list includes: the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corp., Agilent Technologies, AC Entertainment, The Tennessee Theatre, Varsity Athletics, RM Moore, Hunter Museum of Art and more.


What was the reason for this change?

After 15 years at the helm of Media South, company founder Barbara Penland decided to pursue a personal opportunity helping a medical enterprise do greater good. Still, Barbara wanted to be sure she left her employees and clients in good hands. She chose Designsensory for both the high quality of its work and the complimentary nature of its services.

In addition to the disciplines of branding and print and publication design, which the two companies share, Designsensory brings a wealth of success, experience and talent in development and marketing for the web. This additional web and interactive experience is the biggest addition to the assets most clients need: Designsensory can fully develop and market clients’ brands both in print and online.


How big will the new company be?

The new Designsensory is still a small, local, client-focused business providing personal attention and quality services. The new Designsensory headcount is now eleven people with the addition of two from Media South. Lindsay Miller will assume the responsibilities of Art Director for the Designsensory creative team.


Who will own and run the business?

Designsensory’s key executives, Joseph Nother and Brandon Rochelle, will continue to manage the company. Both executives are also the principal shareholders in Designsensory.

Barbara will have an active role in the transition process over the next several months to ensure a sound and smooth transition and will be available for meetings with clients as necessary. Additionally, Joseph and Brandon plan to meet with every Media South client and vendor and will be scheduling phone calls and meetings over the next few weeks.

It is important to remember in all this change that many elements of Media South’s work stay the same. All employees of Media South are making the transition to Designsensory and will continue to work with Media South’s active customer accounts.


Will I be dealing with someone new? Will I have an account rep?

You will still be able to deal directly with Media South employees you dealt with before. To make it even easier, their original phone extensions will still work. Dial 230 for Lindsay Miller and 232 for Anne Brogdon. In addition, you will be able to contact Designsensory’s Client Services Manager, Sara Lewis, for updates or questions about the status of your project. If you call during normal business hours you will be greeted by a human and not a machine. In that case, simply ask for Lindsay or Anne!

And you will still be able to access your project information through the Basecamp project management system, since Media South and Designsensory use the same system. That way you can continue to stay up to date just as you did before.


Will my fees change?

No. Designsensory will honor the current open contracts that Media South has with all its clients. If you have any questions related to the status of your account or to discuss any changes in the process for going forward feel free to call us!


How do Designsensory’s capabilities compare to the services that I got from Media South?

You will receive the same excellent branding, publication, identity, design and print services. But Designsensory’s technology team also provides top-notch web, interactive, and e-commerce solutions. The services available through Designsensory will be an expanded version of what you received from Media South.


How do the accounts payable or accounts receivable procedures change?

Over the next several weeks, Designsensory will be mailing an update letter enclosed with a W9 to all Media South customers with open projects. We ask that you forward to your accounting or accounts payables department so they can update the record.

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