Promotion of Katy Hornaday from CCO to CEO at BarkleyOKRP
It's a New Era at BarkleyOKRP!
Katy Hornaday, the creative powerhouse at BarkleyOKRP, based in Kansas City, has stepped up as the agency's new CEO, taking over from Jeff King who led the independent agency for over 16 years. King, now a founding partner, hands over the reins with a sense of pride and excitement.
Hornaday expressed her feelings about her new role, "I'm absolutely blown away to be the CEO. But what truly rocks my socks is being surrounded by an incredible leadership team that's going to help us write this next chapter."
Over the past decade, Hornaday has steered BarkleyOKRP towards impressive growth, welcoming clients like Planet Fitness, Smoothie King, and Frontier Airlines. In 2018, she introduced FUEL, the agency's digital content studio, which now employs over 80 talented individuals. Under Hornaday's direction, the agency also successfully merged with OKRP in 2024.
Nate Swift, previously the chief marketing officer, has been elevated to president, overseeing the integration of creative, media, and strategic services to ensure cohesive client solutions. Swift's extensive knowledge of client businesses makes him the perfect fit for this role.
BarkleyOKRP's strategic move is to expand its "Big Indie" model, a unique approach that seamlessly blends the agility, client-focus, and creative freedom of boutique indies with the extensive capabilities and comprehensive offerings of larger holding companies. This model prioritizes closer integration of media and creative services, fostering better collaboration and more consumer-centric marketing.
"There aren't many of us that have the scale, the media capability, the data analytics, the technology, the sophistication of holding companies, but with all the spirit, soul, creativity, and integrated model of an independent," said King.
In addition to its new leadership, BarkleyOKRP recently launched MissionOne Media, a media agency formed by integrating its media practice with Adlucent, a performance marketing tech company acquired in May 2024. Sean Corcoran, formerly of MediaHub, leads MissionOne Media.
Looking forward, BarkleyOKRP plans to pursue strategic acquisitions in areas such as performance media, data analytics, CRM, and experience design, backed by private equity firm Keystone Capital. The agency aims to continue shattering traditional agency structures and embracing a hybrid model that offers clients a comprehensive, integrated, and innovative marketing solution.
In her new role as CEO, Katy Hornaday aims to leverage the growth of BarkleyOKRP's finance and business sectors, with the help of an exceptional leadership team, to lead the agency into writing the next chapter of its success. Simultaneously, Nate Swift, now as president, will oversee the integration of creative, media, and strategic services, ensuring a cohesive and consumer-centric approach to business.
