The Meyocks Group Becomes Independent Advertising Agency
July 2, 2008 | News & Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
West Des Moines, IA — Doug Jeske, chief operating officer of The Meyocks Group advertising agency, has acquired the firm from Hy-Vee, the two parties announced today. The Meyocks Group will continue to be advertising agency of record for Hy-Vee.
“This change in ownership gives The Meyocks Group the opportunity to operate and grow as an independent firm,” says Jeske, who joined the firm in 1993 and was elected to its management team in 1996. Jeske was named chief operating officer in 2006 and has been running the day-to-day operations of the agency since last December. “This transition will be seamless for our clients and our team members,” he says.
Hy-Vee purchased The Meyocks Group in 1994 when it was known as Meyocks Benkstein Associates. The agency later operated as Meyocks & Priebe Advertising. Richard “Dick” Meyocks retired in 1995 and passed away in 1996. Co-founder Ken Benkstein remains a senior counselor with the firm.
According to Hy-Vee Chairman and CEO Ric Jurgens, Hy-Vee will maintain its strong client-agency relationship with The Meyocks Group. “The Meyocks Group has done excellent work for us while the agency has been part of the Hy-Vee organization,” Jurgens says. “We’re excited to continue benefiting from the agency’s expertise in the future.”
Jeske says the agency will continue to operate as The Meyocks Group, which was founded in 1989. “I had the privilege of working briefly with Dick Meyocks before he retired,” Jeske says. “Dick loved the big idea, as did the agency leaders who followed him. I am excited about the opportunity to continue that tradition.”
According to Jeske, The Meyocks Group is poised for further growth as an independent firm. “We have an extraordinary group of team members — and clients who appreciate the great work they do,” Jeske says. “I look forward to working with this outstanding team to continue delivering big, brave ideas that build our clients’ brands.”
About The Meyocks Group
The Meyocks Group, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, is an integrated brand communications agency offering counsel and services in the areas of branding, advertising, public relations, direct/relationship marketing, Web development and package design.
About Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee, Inc., is an employee-owned corporation operating 224 retail stores in seven Midwestern states. For 2007 the company recorded total sales of $5.6 billion, ranking it among the top 30 supermarket chains and the top 50 private companies in the United States.
About Doug Jeske
Doug Jeske, 41, is a native of rural Eldora, Iowa. Jeske joined The Meyocks Group in 1993 after working in a corporate public relations role for Sandoz Agro in suburban Chicago. He was elected to the agency’s management team in 1996 and named chief operating officer in 2006. Since December of last year, he has been running the agency’s day-to-day operations. Jeske has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in corporate communications from Northwestern University. Doug and his wife, Karen Quance Jeske, live in Johnston.