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Doug Worple, founding partner and CEO of Barefoot, Inc., received the 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® award in the Service category for the South Central Ohio & Kentucky region last night. This award recognizes how Worple has turned Barefoot from a one-man operation to one of the fastest growing agencies in the country.

This EOY awards recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Worple was selected by an independent panel of judges and received the honor at a gala event last night at the Cincinnati Duke Energy Center. Doug had previously been a Finalist in the 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year awards gala.
“Obviously, this is a great honor,” Worple said, “But even though the trophy has my name on it, the honor really is a reflection of the efforts of everyone who’s put work in to make Barefoot the company it is.”

Worple’s career began at Procter & Gamble, but once he was introduced to creative advertising in his role as brand manager, his interests quickly shifted. He decided to leave P&G and begin work as a copywriter and start Barefoot. In the 13 years since, Barefoot has grown to almost 70 employees.

Barefoot has received many creative awards under Worple’s direction, including many National ADDY awards. As the business has grown, Worple has focused the agency’s efforts on brands and products that consumers become passionate about, Marketing the Pursuit of Happiness as he calls it.

As winner of this award, Worple will now be considered for the National Entrepreneur of the Year award, which will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 17th, 2007.

Founded in 1993, Barefoot is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing agencies in the country. Their client roster also includes: Del Monte, John Wiley & Sons Publishing, Novartis, Procter & Gamble and the Miller Brewing Company. In past years, Barefoot has donated advertising services to The Second Chance Horse Rescue, Visionaries & Voices, Beaded Hope, Pitch In For Baseball and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, among others.