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Drake Cooper has new owners. Lots of them.

Earlier today, Boise Dev broke the news that Drake Cooper has been sold.

To its employees.

As noted in the Boise Dev story, the company converted to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) structure, according to former majority owner and CEO Jamie Cooper. That means about 50 of the company’s current employees now make up the ownership of the company.

There are 42 privately-held ESOP companies in Idaho, and only a handful that are 100% employee owned. Perhaps the most well known locally and regionally is the nation’s third-largest — WinCo Foods — with 20,000 employee-owners. Drake Cooper now joins approximately 3% of marketing and advertising firms nationwide that are employee owned.

In becoming an ESOP, Drake Cooper preserves local ownership and its independent advertising agency status. The agency’s management team and Cooper’s role as CEO will remain the same through 2022. During that time, they will focus on building a stronger board of directors with advertising industry expertise, and creating a new role for a GM/President to help guide Drake Cooper and its employee-owners into the future.

Read more about the announcement at Boise Dev, or see the full release, swag box contents, and more at Drake Cooper’s reverb on Medium.

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New faces on the Oliver Russell team

Oliver Russell recently added a few new team members. In addition to Sienna George, who we previously covered, the announcement in the Idaho Business Review puts the spotlight on Dave McKay and Alyssa Stephens.

Dave McKay now serves as Oliver Russell’s Design Director. Based in Bozeman, Montana, he brings branding, strategy, and inclusive design experience from the likes of Hypermatter, PartnersCreative, SAP, Oracle, PayPal, saltStudio, J. Walter Thompson Worldwide and JWT INSIDE.

Alyssa Stephens has taken the role of Junior Graphic Designer. She is a recent MFA graduate of Montana State University at Bozeman.

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New hire at Senestre Creative

Senestre Creative recently announced that they’ve added Amanda Lubbers to their team as an Art Director.

Prior to joining Senestre, Amanda spent the past five years with the Idaho Lottery–most recently as Web and Digital Design Specialist.

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Dream Big, 2021 edition

Speaking of programs for nonprofits…

Drake Cooper is accepting nominations through November 30th for their Dream Big program. What is it, you ask? Well, I’ll let the DC folks explain it to you in their own words:

Each year we’re inspired by the nonprofit applicants that come through our office. The entire agency gets a say in who we choose, and it’s a process we take very seriously. Not only do we look for inspiring causes, but how well the organizations express their needs. It could be as direct as a website and new branding, or it’s a problem that needs to be solved, like an increase in membership or awareness.

So, why do we do this?

We are devoted to building a better community where everyone shares the responsibility of making it a better place to work and live. Ultimately, we hope that our joint work will increase awareness and understanding while inspiring those to take action around a meaningful cause.

Curious to see if you or a nonprofit you love qualifies?

We want to hear from applicants who are proactive, full of swagger, and ready to kick ass and take shit to the next level. We’re also looking for applicants who are trying to make a positive, more inclusive impact on the world. This project is rooted in having fun and making a difference. Applicants must be an IRS designated 501(c)(3) organization with a charitable cause.

Applications can be submitted here, or you can get in touch with Drake Cooper with any questions you might have.

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116 & West’s Parter116 program still accepting applications

Our friends at 116 & West are still accepting applications for their 2021 Nonprofit Pro-Bono Partnership.

Each year, 116 & West partners with a nonprofit organization to to determine the best marketing solutions and strategy for their needs, and provides marketing services worth $50,000. The 2020 Partner116 program recipient was Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho. Past recipients have also included Family Advocates in 2018, and Boise Rock School in 2019.

Applications for the program will be accepted through November 30, 2020. The 2021 award recipient will be announced by January 16, 2021.

Full details about the program are available on the 116 & West website.