Griffin York & Krause Welcomes Ekman As CEO

MANCHESTER, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Griffin York & Krause (GY&K), a leading full-service, mid-sized, independent advertising and strategic communications firm, today announced a key addition of Anders Ekman to the management team as Chief Executive Officer. Joining Patrick Griffin as Chairman, Travis York as President, Elaine Krause as Senior Vice President and Creative Director and Cindy Whitehouse as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Ekman brings more than 20 years of agency and technology experience to GY&K.

“Our company is growing but our commitment to our clients, community and employees remains constant.”

Ekman is the latest in a series of high profile, national agency recruits for GY&K. Ekman comes to GY&K from McCann Worldgroup in New York one of the largest international advertising agencies. There, Ekman was Chief Growth Officer for digital and CRM leader MRM Worldwide, and Demand Team Leader for Worldgroup's US Army business.

Ekman will help bring GY&K to a broader group of clients and continue GY&K’s expansion into digital service offerings. He has worked with some of the largest and most important marketers in the world. Ekman's clients in addition to the US Army have included General Motors, Fidelity Investments, MasterCard, Intel and AT&T.

“As we continue to grow and develop new and exciting offerings, we need a leadership team that can maximize our growth and potential,” said Patrick Griffin, Chairman GY&K. “Our company is growing but our commitment to our clients, community and employees remains constant.”

Griffin adds, “This team represents the most talented team of senior executives that have been assembled at any agency in our region and beyond. I look forward to working with them to serve our existing and growing client base.”

Ekman served as Senior Vice President with the firm for eight years before leaving the firm for Digitas in Boston. He has deep experience in both the local and national marketplaces.

“GY&K has a long history of excellence and accomplishment,” said Ekman. “I am thrilled to be rejoining this team and coming home to New England to work with Pat and this fine group of communications professionals."

Recently named the third fastest growing advertising agency in New England by ADWEEK, Griffin York & Krause supports this growth with a number of strategic staffing moves. Over the past 24 months, GY&K has increased billings by more than 50% and added 25 new employees to bolster the company’s interactive, advertising, media and PR services offerings.

About Griffin York & Krause

Headquartered in Manchester, NH, GY&K is an elite advertising and strategic communications agency selling products and services that help companies market and sell to their customers and prospects globally. GY&K has been at the forefront of creativity and strategic thinking for nearly 30 years. Clients benefit from a wide range of integrated and complementary services including: advertising, design, interactive, public, corporate and media relations, public policy and political consulting, marketing strategy and planning. The current roster of clients includes Centex Destination Properties, CW Capital, the Manchester Monarchs Hockey Club, the New Hampshire Lottery, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, Catholic Medical Center, and Globe Manufacturing Company.

GY&K employs over 50 people at its historic 121 River Front Drive location in Manchester. For additional information, please contact Kristin Beltramini at (603) 625-5713, x 229 or by email at kbeltramini@griffinyorkkrause.com.