Former CP+B Execs Launch New Creative Agency in Boulder

Crispin's influence on the advertising market here in Colorado is continuing to be significant. Couple that with the amazing place in which we live — that people just can't leave — and you get an ever expanding number of spinoff shops populating the market, filled with top talent. That's a powerful thing.

The latest is Boulder's Grenadier, which is a creative subsidiary of 50-year-old, Kansas City-based agency Barkley. It's being set up under former CP+B VP-Group Account Director Jeff Graham, who recently departed the MDC Partners agency. Also involved are ad execs who have spent time at CP+B and other shops such as Arnold, Grey and Sterling-Rice Group, including Mark St. Amant, Rob Hofferman, Wade Paschall and Randy Rogers. Grenadier will have its own P&L and focus on "ideals-driven" and "challenger brands" — including those in the startup community in Boulder.

“Many shops are starting up now using venture capital or waiting to be scooped up by a giant holding company,” says Jeff Graham, Partner/Account Director at Grenadier. “It’s all about the end game, how quickly they can pull their money out. But with Barkley behind us, we’re kicking off a long-term partnership rooted in a shared passion for advertising creativity and innovation. We know with Barkley, we’re building Grenadier with people who love brands as much as we do; and that’s why we’re so excited about this combination.”

As for the name of the new shop, Grenadier refers to the 17th century wartime specialists whose purpose was to turn the tide and change the course of battle. They were a small, disruptive force whose impact was significantly more potent than its size. Similarly, Grenadier will play this role within Barkley.

While a big hit for Sterling-Rice Group in losing these players, we're excited to see the mojo these guys create on their own. Read more on AdAge.