“You don’t see a lot of leaders who maintain a CEO role for over a decade and continue to iterate and evolve,” says Marla Kaplowitz, CEO of the 4A’s. “Christine Fruechte’s masterful in motivating people to continually reinvent—and her integrity makes her an amplifier of people and progress,” adds Kaplowitz.
Colle McVoy announced yesterday that, after nearly 17 years as CEO, Christine Fruechte will become Chair of Colle McVoy, a strategic advisory position. Jessica Henrichs, who currently serves as the agency’s President, will be elevated to CEO effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Fruechte was tapped to run the agency in 2007, as president, when the organization was financially strained and heading into a recession. She rallied the workforce servicing primarily B2B clients at that time in a fresh strategic direction. She became CEO in 2008. Fruechte set a new trajectory in motion by evolving the agency’s positioning, expanding integrated offerings, broadening the client portfolio and investing in key hires while doubling down on a people-first culture.
Flash forward to today—revenue’s nearly tripled and earnings have increased sixfold, reported as of the end of September 2024. The agency has quadrupled BIPOC representation, from 7% to 28% of its workforce within the same timeframe.
“It’s been so gratifying to lead Colle McVoy through many reinventions. We’ve proven a midsized agency can be a lightning rod of impact for our industry and our clients’ businesses. I’m incredibly proud of our enduring client partnerships and the fantastic teams we’ve built who’ve made it all happen over the years,” Fruechte expressed.
Under Fruechte’s full-hearted vision the agency has achieved international acclaim, record-setting growth, B Corp Certification and Best Place to Work honors for 14 consecutive years. Colle McVoy scooped 2023 ADWEEK Midsized Agency of the Year, Ad Age 2024 A-List Standout Agency and Innovation SABREs 2024 Disruptive Agency of the Year recognition.
“Jess has been an undeniable force in Colle McVoy’s explosive growth over the past five years, winning over big-name brands and stewarding molecular-level transformation,” says Fruechte. “From our first conversation, I knew Jess would take the agency to places we’ve never been before.”
Fruechte and Henrichs have been a dynamic duo for diversifying the agency’s capabilities and client roster while leading a multiyear journey to B Corp certification. Henrichs also recast talent to task, rewiring capabilities and team structures to capitalize on the agency’s midsized model—uniting strategy and experience design; creative and PR; and media and data science.
“Christine is proof that people-first and profitable are possible,” shares Henrichs. “This culture she’s built of camaraderie, trust and joyful restlessness for reinvention—it’s not a foundation, it’s a springboard. My job is to honor what’s been established and catalyze the momentum we have.”
Fruechte will work with Henrichs in a strategic advisory capacity while continuing to serve as Co-Vice Chair of the 4A’s Board of Directors, Board Chair for The Minnesota Star Tribune—and in leadership roles with the Ad Council, SeeHer and The BrandLab.
“Christine’s bold leadership over the past two decades has transformed Colle McVoy into a creative force for brands such as 3M, Target and UnitedHealthcare. This momentum has accelerated with Jessica’s arrival—multiplying opportunities with Perdue, La-Z-Boy and Frank’s RedHot,” says Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell. “I believe in a bright future for the agency’s next chapter and continued success.”
Henrichs has been the pivotal player behind Colle McVoy’s growth in the last five years, secured through pitches she’s led and previous relationships flocking to be back in her orbit. Colle McVoy has welcomed Frank’s RedHot, La-Z-Boy, Wellness Pet, American Signature Industries, HARIBO, Craftsman, Whirlpool, Perdue and others to its roster.
Henrich’s appointment follows Ciro Sarmiento, who was named Chief Creative Officer last November, and Megan Flynn, who became Chief Financial Officer in January.
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