Begun in 1991, Paragraph is a Brand Agency. Our name comes from our ability to marry words and images for the purpose of communicating a concise message ... about your company, your products and services, your way of doing things.

And, our creative mantra - "Be simple. Be clear. Be good." - drives everything we do. Including how we work to target your message to your audiences through ...

Strategic Planning

• Market Research
• Messaging Architecture
• Visual Language Development

Tactical Execution

• Naming
• Identity System Development
• Print Communications
• Digital Communications
• Investor Communications
• Employee Communications

Brand Management

• Assessment
• Guidelines and Management Tools
• Evaluation and Consulting

Awards and Acclaim

Paragraph takes pride in the results we achieve for our clients. And, every once in a while, we also enjoy a little praise from our peers and industry press for our creative achievements.

Paragraph is honored to have won several ADDY awards, Graphic Design:usa's American Graphic Design awards, Print Magazine's Certificate of Design Excellence awards, American Corporate Identity Award of Excellence certificates, the Mohawk Paper Award of Excellence, National Mature Media Certificate of Excellence awards, Prescott & Forbes Business Brokers Award, and others.

Plus, our work has been included in annual collections for Communication Arts, HOW, Graphic Design:usa, Graphis, and American Corporate Identity.

Project Leaders

Bob Aretz, Principal & Creative Director
Named of Philadelphia Business Journal’s “40 under 40,” for his charisma and entrepreneurial spirit, Bob Aretz has extensive experience in strategic planning, message development, and communication design solutions as principal of Paragraph. Bob utilizes his insight, understanding, and vision to get to the root of clients’ branding and communications issues.

Prior to beginning Paragraph in 1991, Bob was an art director at Mandala, Inc. in Philadelphia. His work has been recognized by Communications Arts, Graphis, Print Magazine, AIGA, Art Director’s Club of Philadelphia, the Ad Club of Philadelphia, the Ad Club of New York, and the Philadelphia IABC.

Elana Stern, Strategy & Media Director
After holding positions with prestigious firms in San Francisco and New York City, Elana Stern has found the perfect home here at Paragraph. Her expertise in communications coupled with her knowledge of technology make her uniquely suited for her role, where she is responsible for developing branding and marketing strategies for digital media and beyond.

Prior to joining Paragraph, Elana served as Online Communications Manager for the Philadelphia Zoo, where she developed communications strategies to advance institutional mission and conservation objectives, and was responsible for creating and implementing an online marketing strategy that resulted in an increase of 70,000 monthly visits to the Zoo’s website. Before coming home to Philadelphia, Elana served as Production & Client Manager for pOpform, New York, and Public Affairs Associate for the philanthropic foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Damon Shields, Senior Graphic Designer
With a keen eye for both form and function, Damon Shields has been an integral part of the Paragraph team since 2004, where he works to creatively and strategically align our clients’ visual and verbal messages.

Prior to joining Paragraph, Damon worked at The Landings Club, Inc. in Savannah, GA, where he was responsible for developing all print promotions, event signage and collateral, internal communications, as well as web maintenance, graphics, and email promotions. Damon, originally a North Carolina native, received his B.F.A in graphic design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Karl Schloesser, Copywriter
There is always some fact in fiction — Karl Schloesser’s job at Paragraph is to find that balance. His natural storytelling ability partnered with his journalistic insights make him an invaluable member of our team. At Paragraph, he does everything from developing targeted messages to writing compelling brand stories.

Prior to joining Paragraph, Karl worked as a copywriter in Boulder, CO, where he crafted relevant messages and tactical strategies for everything from national retail, finance, communications, and beverage brands to smaller, local nonprofit agencies. Before making the move out west, Karl worked as a copywriter at various Philadelphia and New Jersey agencies. Originally from a small town in northeast Pennsylvania, Karl Schloesser earned his B.A. in Journalism from Temple University.