How BarkleyOKRP Scaled to 700 People and Maintained Its Soul

How BarkleyOKRP Scaled to 700 People and Maintained Its Soul

Katy Hornaday

Katy HornadayKaty Hornaday is the CEO of BarkleyOKRP, one of the largest independent full-service advertising agencies in the US. She joined the company as a Creative Director and helped facilitate the 2024 merger of Barkley and OKRP.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [5:12] How Katy Hornaday’s career path from copywriter to CEO shaped her leadership perspective
  • [7:59] The importance of selecting the ideal private equity partner
  • [11:12] BarkleyOKRP’s three-year strategic thesis
  • [14:20] How BarkleyOKRP balances scale and independence through culture, benefits, and operations
  • [26:04] Katy’s approach to evaluating acquisition targets, founder fit, and integration readiness

In this episode…

In an industry crowded with holding companies and boutique shops, building something that stands apart requires difficult choices, clear values, and a long-term vision. What does it take to grow a modern agency without losing its unique culture?

CEO of BarkleyOKRP, Katy Hornaday, discusses building an independent agency with both scale and soul. With host Todd Taskey, Katy explains her path from creative to CEO, how BarkleyOKRP approaches private equity partnerships, and how a clear strategic thesis guides growth, culture, and acquisitions.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Fiscal Advocate.

Fiscal Advocate builds, integrates, and manages financial infrastructure to grow your firm.

They create metrics and models to help agencies understand their unique position in the market, making them attractive to potential buyers.

To learn more and get started, visit https://fiscaladvocate.com/contact/.

This episode is brought to you by Tower Partners, a private investment bank and advisory firm providing premier service to the lower middle market.

We are a national firm with a global reach, supporting clients throughout the United States with headquarters in Columbia, MD, and an office in New York, NY.

Our team of industry veterans has advised sell-side and buy-side engagements with over $20+ billion in value for entrepreneurs, family-run businesses, and financial sponsors.

To connect with Tower Partners, visit https://www.towerpartners.com/ or email info@towerpartners.com.

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