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Myself and three other employees were presented with the opportunity to purchase Kelliher, Samets & Volk after four decades under the same ownership. We took it. Then quickly got to work making it our own. In just 3 years I would find myself in the captain's chair as CCO and 25% owner of the 50-person ad shop. I'd spend the next 3 years transforming the agency into an internationally recognized, award-winning creative shop. Rebuilt the team. Rebuilt the brand. Rebuilt the portfolio of work. Reinvented the legacy processes. Under my leadership, KSV won more awards than it ever has in its 44-year history. Beating out top agencies all along the east coast. Despite our small budgets and low-interest categories. It also expanded my creative problem-solving and leadership ability like no other role could have. My commitment for the best possible creative output was unrelenting.

PROUD MOMENTS

***Right to Wright: Rachel Gage, Kevin Willard, Erin Fagnant and Tucker Wright.***

A Virus Canceled the Olympics, But One Torch Will Still Get Passed

“Four long-time employees have purchased independent advertising and marketing agency Kelliher Samets Volk. After four decades under the same ownership, the recent acquisition has officially put this advertising and marketing consultancy in the hands of Managing Director Erin Fagnant, Chief Creative Officer Kevin Willard, Chief Strategy Officer Tucker Wright and Director of Client Services Rachel Gage.”

- Fast Company Magazine

Local Creative Agency Lands World’s Biggest Client—The Planet. Taking on all 8.7 million forms of life in existence.

“Burlington, VT, January 21, 2021 – As the calendar flipped from December to January, long-time local advertising agency KSV celebrated the new year with a fresh look and a doubled-down commitment to fighting for a more sustainable existence through powerful creative solutions, rich with purpose and charged by partnership. The agency’s rebranded website, logo and mission statement are the most recent in a string of changes, along with a healthy batch of new hires. As the pandemic continued on, the agency forged several new client relationships furthering them along on their mission to create work filled with purpose.”

- VBSR

**A PARTNERSHIP DESIGNED TO SERVE BRANDS IN THE OUTDOOR SPACE.**

When one of your top-performing employees quits because his side-hustle is done getting put on the side, don’t let him. Instead, turn it into a growth opportunity for everyone. We Ride at Dawn is an employee owned and operated creative content studio with a very special, specialty—that big giant space under the sky—the outdoors. The KSV + WRAD partnership was born out of a desire to bring decades of sustainability expertise into the outdoor space. Nick is now the creative leader of the agency.

Anytime a small agency has an idea big enough to get national attention is a win in my book.