Houston—April 28, 2008—Origin added deep food industry knowledge to its menu of services with Karen Niemeier joining the Origin strategy team.

“Karen’s experience with major food companies is a great addition to Origin,” said Shawn Collier, Origin Principal and Strategy Director.

“Her leadership and marketing experience with national food-service providers offers Origin clients specialized industry insight into a dynamic and constantly evolving industry,” he said.

Prior to joining Origin, Karen served as assistant to the CEO of national restaurant chains, Pappas Restaurants and Luby’s Inc. She previously worked in promotions for Texas-wide restaurant chain Chuy’s Comida-Deluxe. Her creative marketing experience includes account management with agencies SicolaMartin and Creative West Studio.

Niemeier says she is excited about the opportunity to help clients find fresh approaches to food marketing challenges.

“My years of experience in marketing and with state-wide and national restaurant chains gave me an inside perspective of the food-service industry,” said Niemeier. “Now, I can blend my experience with Origin’s full-service creative marketing and branding services to help clients succeed in an increasingly competitive market,” said Niemeier.

Origin’s food industry experience includes national restaurant chains, food distributors, specialty food manufacturers and restaurant interior design.

Karen, a long-time Houstonian, is a resident of the Houston’s historic Eastwood neighborhood. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin. Karen has served on the board of Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) Public Art District Selection Committee for the East End Corridor and is a past-president of the Eastwood Civic Association.