10.25.2011
Gen Xers Take the Reins at Burdette Ketchum
Will Ketchum named president and CEO, Patrick Golden promoted to executive creative director
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Burdette Ketchum is the first of Northeast Florida’s five largest marketing firms to promote its “second generation” to the top executive position. After 15 years of leadership, founder Karen Burdette is passing the torch to two experienced Gen Xers: Will Ketchum and Patrick Golden.
Ketchum has been named president and CEO. Golden, a founding member of the firm, has been promoted to executive creative director. Burdette will continue with the firm with special focus in the areas of vision setting, agency growth and business development as founder and chairman
Ketchum joined the firm in 1999 and became a partner in 2004, coinciding with the firm’s name change to Burdette Ketchum. He has more than 22 years of marketing and agency management experience, and has led marketing and branding for prominent North Florida businesses, such as Rayonier, Vistakon, Interline Brands and Baptist Health.
“Will is the consummate agency professional and has been leading clients and employees effectively his entire career. He knows the trenches of marketing warfare, knows where our industry is going and never loses sight of the most important ingredient for our continued growth – trust. He is the perfect person to lead the firm as we move forward,” said Burdette.
Golden was among the firm’s first employees in 1996 and became a partner in 2009. An art director by trade, Golden excels in creative leadership, graphic design, experiential design, and branded retail and workplace strategy. Considered one of the top creative minds in Northeast Florida, he has developed enduring brands, such as Daily’s, and has created award-winning work for dozens of Northeast Florida clients in his 21-year career.
“Patrick is the rarest of talents and a creative leader in Northeast Florida. He has built local brands that are now a vital part of the community fabric,” said Burdette. “Patrick drives enormous success for clients here and around the country. His personal painting exhibits are further testament to his creative vision and skill. Patrick’s leadership will continue to guide our creative staff to keep doing big things for our clients.”
Burdette Ketchum is consistently ranked one of the area’s top five advertising and marketing agencies by the Jacksonville Business Journal. In 2011, the firm also was recognized for its charitable giving as one of Jacksonville Magazine’s “Companies That Care” for the third time.
“Working closely with Karen has been an education in exceptional leadership,” said Ketchum. “Her achievements on behalf of the agency have earned her well-deserved recognitions, such as being named an ‘Ultimate CEO’ and induction into the First Coast Business Hall of Fame. It’s an honor to continue the legacy of such an accomplished marketing leader and I look forward to leading day-to-day operations of the agency while she furthers her role here as chairman.”