Firm marks 25th anniversary with unique agency pedigree and expanded leadership team

NEW YORK – September 16, 2019 – Peppercomm, a leading strategic communications and marketing firm, has expanded and enhanced its senior leadership team, promoting three executives to partner. The move underscores and builds on the agency’s success providing strategic solutions that reach beyond traditional public relations to drive long-term business value for clients. Peppercomm also has promoted three current partners to the newly created role of senior partner.

“As we reach our 25th year as a successful, fully independent agency, Peppercomm continues our exciting evolution into a new type of organization. We are a one-of-a-kind agency that combines a quarter-century of experience and expertise with the passion and agility of a start-up,” said Steve Cody, CEO of Peppercomm. “These significant investments in our top talent blended with the robust new business we have attracted in 2019 are proof points of our continued upward trajectory.”

The new partners include:

Courtney Ellul – Based in London, Courtney will continue to build the agency’s presence and client roster in the UK and Europe. She will also continue to oversee global integrated communications and marketing programs and help lead Peppercomm’s strategic internal communications and employee engagement service offering. She has been with the agency for 12 years, and calls London, Vancouver and New York home.

Tara Lilien – Based in New York, Tara leads all things people for Peppercomm. She owns responsibility for talent management, engagement and acquisition for the agency, which is critical as Peppercomm continues to build out talent beyond traditional PR professionals. Tara is also focused on driving operational excellence across the agency as we continue to grow and expand. Tara joined the agency in 2018 as chief talent officer after working for more than 15 years in senior human resources roles in the communications and marketing industry.

Matt Purdue – Based in New York and Philadelphia, Matt continues to expand his role as a subject-matter expert and content marketing leader. Leveraging his 15-year career as a journalist and editor, including executive editor of Worth, Matt guides Peppercomm clients in uncovering emerging trends important to them and their clients, and developing and executing content strategies that will resonate with their target audiences. He joined Peppercomm in 2007.

Being elevated to senior partner are Ann Barlow, president, West Coast; Jackie Kolek, partner and general manager of the New York headquarters; and Maggie O’Neill, chief client officer. Combined these three leaders have more than five decades of experience at Peppercomm.

These promotions accentuate a dynamic growth period for Peppercomm. The agency continues to attract new business from leading global brands. Recent client wins include Pirelli and trivago. Peppercomm has also recently expanded its relationships with key clients including Wilmington Trust, M&T Bank and BMW.

“These new appointments and our vigorous business growth demonstrate that Peppercomm’s commitment to our people is driving our bottom-line results,” said Cody. “Equally important, our senior leadership is now comprised of 70% women, which accurately reflects our overall workforce. With our expanded group of partners guiding the next generation of agency leaders, Peppercomm is well positioned to grow for the next 25 years by helping both blue-chip and breakout clients succeed in a continually shifting communications and marketing landscape.”

To learn more on Peppercomm and its offerings visit Peppercomm.com. Follow us @Peppercomm.
 

About Peppercomm

Peppercomm is an award-winning strategic, integrated communications and marketing agency headquartered in New York City with offices in San Francisco and London. The firm combines 25 award-winning years of expertise serving blue chip and breakout clients with forward-thinking new service offerings and the freshness of a start-up. This unique mix of experience and energy enables the firm to attract and empower teams with a creative edge, drive and passion for promoting, protecting and connecting clients in a fast-changing marketplace. Founded in 1995, Peppercomm has received numerous accolades, including The Holmes Report’s North American Corporate/B2B Agency of the Year and Bulldog Reporter’s Midsized Agency of the Year. The agency has been listed as one of Fortune’s 10 Best Workplaces in Advertising and Marketing, 100 Best Workplaces for Women, 50 Best Small and Medium Workplaces and 50 Best Workplaces for New College Grads. For more information, visit www.peppercomm.com.

Media Contact:

Paul Merchan
Peppercomm
pmerchan@peppercomm.com
212-931-6172