Movers & Shakers: Paul Jongeward, Morsekode

A look at the people behind the numbers in area business:

Title: Partner

Age: 41

Paul Jongeward has taken on a greater leadership role in addition to his continued focus on integrating brand, digital and content strategy for clients after being named a partner at Morsekode, a Minneapolis-based creative agency.

Jongeward, who has served as vice president of strategy, is the first partner at Morsekode, which CEO and Chief Creative Officer Mark Morse founded in 2001.

"Having partnership status means I'm all in, and I feel a real sense of ownership in the work we do and the relationship we have with the business community," Jongeward said. "I've always felt a sense of ownership here, and that I can contribute in a meaningful way to our culture, our work and our reputation."

Jongeward's responsibilities include serving as a primary representative of the agency, leading the account team and having a larger role in management, brand position and setting and pursuing business objectives at Morsekode.

Jongeward joined the agency at its beginning, working with Morse from coffee shops and their basements for a year before the agency's first office. He returned to Morsekode in 2005 after working in digital marketing for two years at UnitedHealthcare. He has a marketing degree from Bethel University.

Q: Why is integrating brand, digital and content strategy important for clients?

A: We truly believe these three disciplines are inseparable. Creating video content, for example, without a strong brand foundation, won't effectively differentiate a brand. A sophisticated digital channel without a smart content strategy will struggle to engage an audience. And so on. The intersection of brand, digital and content is where we see the most exciting opportunities for businesses to grow.

Q: What has moving downtown meant to the agency?

A: In just a short period we've become more closely tied to the downtown business community, working with many of our neighbors as clients. Our profile has become elevated, which has enabled us to attract new clients and new talent.

A: We are not order takers. Our job is to ask the right questions, define the problem and push hard to develop smart, creative solutions. We solve business problems in unique, often unexpected ways.