Barkley Turns to PR Pro to Lead New Business
07/20/2006
(KANSAS CITY) – Brian Brooker, CEO & Chief Creative Officer, Barkley, today announced that Mike Swenson, a 19-year partner and founder of the company’s public relations firm, will assume leadership of marketing and new business development for the entire company. Brooker also announced that Andy Ernsting, who has been leading new business for the PR firm, will join Swenson as part of the agency’s new business team.
“Mike has been a part of the growth and success of Barkley for almost two decades,” said Brooker. “He knows how to grow a business and he understands how to build a brand. Now he will apply that knowledge directly to our brand and tell the Barkley story to prospective clients, consultants and the media. I can’t think of anyone better to represent this company than Mike.”
Swenson joined the company in 1987 and one year later started the public relations firm as part of the ad agency founded in 1964. Swenson’s new title will be Executive Vice President. He will also continue as president of the public relations firm. Swenson is a member of the executive team, serves on the corporation’s board of directors and is one of four trustees for the ESOP trust.
Andy Ernsting, Vice President, joined Barkley in 1999 in public relations. He supervised PR efforts for several clients including Sonic Drive-In, Build-A-Bear Workshop and Farmland Industries. Ernsting took over new business development for the public relations firm early in 2005.
“These moves represent the final pieces of a restructuring of our new business team,” said Jeff King, President, Barkley. “We now have a dedicated team in place to do for our brand what we do for our clients, which is help them grow their businesses,” King said.
About Barkley:
Barkley is the largest employee-owned agency in the nation. Founded in 1964, the company has 325 partners offering a full range of marketing communications services including advertising, public relations, sponsorships and events, relationship marketing, design, motion graphics, research and interactive marketing. Barkley is located in Kansas City with field offices across the nation. More info: www.barkleyUS.com
“Mike has been a part of the growth and success of Barkley for almost two decades,” said Brooker. “He knows how to grow a business and he understands how to build a brand. Now he will apply that knowledge directly to our brand and tell the Barkley story to prospective clients, consultants and the media. I can’t think of anyone better to represent this company than Mike.”
Swenson joined the company in 1987 and one year later started the public relations firm as part of the ad agency founded in 1964. Swenson’s new title will be Executive Vice President. He will also continue as president of the public relations firm. Swenson is a member of the executive team, serves on the corporation’s board of directors and is one of four trustees for the ESOP trust.
Andy Ernsting, Vice President, joined Barkley in 1999 in public relations. He supervised PR efforts for several clients including Sonic Drive-In, Build-A-Bear Workshop and Farmland Industries. Ernsting took over new business development for the public relations firm early in 2005.
“These moves represent the final pieces of a restructuring of our new business team,” said Jeff King, President, Barkley. “We now have a dedicated team in place to do for our brand what we do for our clients, which is help them grow their businesses,” King said.
About Barkley:
Barkley is the largest employee-owned agency in the nation. Founded in 1964, the company has 325 partners offering a full range of marketing communications services including advertising, public relations, sponsorships and events, relationship marketing, design, motion graphics, research and interactive marketing. Barkley is located in Kansas City with field offices across the nation. More info: www.barkleyUS.com
