Five years with BarkleyOKRP: Impact, resilience, and a dash of fun.

When I look back at the last five years with Barkley ( Now BarkleyOKRP ), I’m struck by the whirlwind of change, growth, and—let’s be real—pure audacity. These years were no smooth ride, but where’s the fun in that? It's been a wild adventure, from a global pandemic to personal health battles, navigating mergers and acquisitions, and building something new from the ground up. And trust me, I’ve loved (almost) every second of it.

Let’s rewind to 2019. We had big plans, fresh energy, and no clue what would hit us. COVID turned the world upside down, and we went from having team meetings in one office to managing a remote workforce spread across ‘400’ offices—yes, that’s right, the “home offices” of every employee suddenly became our new normal. From dining rooms to screed-in patios to backyard sheds, we created a new model of collaboration and communication that was as much about survival as it was about innovation. 

Communicating across 400 "offices"

COVID wasn’t the kind of challenge we were expecting. At first, we were all figuring out Zoom settings and trying not to yell at our dogs for barking during client calls. But soon, it became a test of how well we could maintain culture, creativity, and effectiveness in a world that suddenly felt disconnected. 

At Barkley, we’ve always believed in the power of Whole Brand Thinking (think integrated communications), meaning that every action—from how we communicate internally to how we serve our clients—needs to be part of a unified vision. COVID forced us to level up. Coordinating across 400 makeshift offices wasn’t just a logistical challenge; it became an exercise in brand alignment. I found myself on a million different platforms, running messaging to ensure that the integrity of our brand voice stayed consistent no matter where or how people worked.

It was audacious, but we pulled it off. I’m proud to say we didn’t just survive that shift; we thrived and grew our client list. And through it all, I found new depths of fun in communications and marketing. It was like throwing spaghetti at the wall every day, and what stuck often turned out to be the best ideas.

Personal trials, professional triumphs

Just as the dust settled on our new work-from-home reality, life threw me another curveball. I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Yeah, that was a fun one to explain on Zoom. Let alone managing at a time when visitors to most hospitals were not allowed.

Being a leader while undergoing treatment was a balancing act I wasn’t prepared for. But I learned that you can let life slow you down or fuel you. I chose the latter.

From the chemo chair, I kept the ball rolling on projects I was passionate about (I am certain I freaked out a few video call guests, but it was about me at that time). There were days when I barely had the energy to sit upright, but I wasn’t about to let cancer sideline me. I know my then-supervisor ( Jason Parks ) would text my wife ( Julie (Gutnik) Levine ) to see how I was doing and why I was still taking meetings. There’s something about pushing through a personal challenge that makes professional victories feel even sweeter. Every win felt amplified; every new client we onboarded was a triumph for the company and my personal battle. It kept me going. And let’s be honest, so many have dealt with so much worth.

As I got back on my feet, my role within the Growth/Marcomm team evolved even further. I dove headfirst into new channels, campaigns, and a new focus on driving forward with Barkley’s voice. I learned how to let resilience guide my personal life and my growth approach with every step.

Mergers, acquisitions, and a brave new brand

As if surviving a global pandemic and cancer wasn’t enough, we were busy on another front—expanding Barkley. Our acquisitions of Smiths Agency out of Pittsburgh and Callahan Creek from Lawrence were bold moves that reshaped our agency’s footprint. We didn’t just absorb teams; we infused their talent, clients, and energy into the beating heart of our agency. These acquisitions weren't just about adding numbers but building out what makes us great: a dedication to client success and an unrelenting hunger for growth.

Then came the big one: the OKRP merger and our acquisition of Adlucent this year. Talk about transformative. That move was like stepping onto a rocket and lighting the fuse, pun intended (RIP, space-themed anything). The integration is/was fast-paced (still happening today). We didn’t just merge names; we're merging cultures, ideas, and ambitions. It is a sprint and a marathon all at once, and I’m proud of how we have navigated it (so far)—through scrappy moments, late-night chats, and a relentless commitment to keeping our soul intact. And a few joint office wins to make it feel right, too.

Building another Barkley website? No big deal (or maybe it is)

One fun and slightly terrifying part of my evolving role has been building yet another iteration of the Barkley website. If you think managing a website is just slapping some words and images on a page, you’re not thinking big enough. A website is a living, breathing embodiment of who we are, how we want to be seen, and what we promise to deliver. It’s a digital calling card that constantly evolves.

This project wasn’t just about looking pretty (although, spoiler: the next two iterations will). It was about defining the very core of what we stand for as an agency. It’s about telling the world that BarkleyOKRP is here to win, innovate, and keep growing, no matter what challenges come our way. And we did it with the same voice that’s made us successful—honest, bold, and unapologetically different.

The future of fun and growth

I'm filled with anticipation as I look to the next five-plus years. We’ve weathered a storm but never lost our sense of fun. Maybe that's why I love returning to daily. Whether launching new campaigns, bringing on new talent, or navigating a global crisis, we do it with a dash of audacity and much heart.

I’ve had a front-row seat to our agency’s evolution and the joy of helping steer it through uncharted waters. My role and team have evolved, my perspective has broadened, and I’ve never been more excited about what comes next. Even though I may have no idea what that is.

Here’s to another five years of growth and maybe more spaghetti-throwing.