VVK PR + Creative agency in Detroit launched today, bringing together the collective expertise, leadership, and client portfolios of Peter Van Dyke, Jamie Kaye Walters, and Michael Sherman.
The company is opening with a nearly 15-person team providing integrated communication services to a portfolio of 20-plus clients in Detroit, Michigan, and nationwide. Van Dyke, who will serve as VVK’s CEO, joined the venture after 20 years of PR industry leadership, most recently as CEO of Van Dyke Horn in Detroit, a communications agency he acquired in 2016.
“Michael, Jamie, and I recognized that we could combine our individual successes and strengths to create a platform for clients to benefit from our integrated services and shared principles – strategy, creativity, and diversity,” says Van Dyke. “We are grateful to start VVK with a strong team and client portfolio, and we are confident that we have a solid foundation for future growth and impact.”
Sherman, who will serve as VVK partner and executive vice president of production, started Velocity Cow video production company with Jamie Kaye Walters in 2008, and will bring his nationwide portfolio of clients and six team members to the agency.
Kaye Walters, who served as creative services and programing director at WDIV-TV for eight years after co-founding Velocity Cow with Sherman, will serve as VVK’s COO and partner, and will lead the agency’s marketing practice and talent development.
The VVK PR team includes Annmarie Erickson joining as senior executive counsel and Craig Fahle as public relations director. In addition to Sherman, the VVK video production team is led by vice president of creative production John Heiple, who has been with the company since 2011, and includes a team of editors, cinematographers, and producers.
Walters will oversee the integration of the PR and video teams, lead the agency’s digital practice, as well as manage the recruitment and development of the agency’s talent.
“This is an incredibly exciting chapter for the Velocity Cow team and our clients. With our previous partnership with Jamie and collaborations with Peter, forming VVK was a natural fit our teams, cultures, and clients,” says Sherman. “I’m energized about our shared vision for the future.”
As part of its launch, the firm is announcing a fellowship to advance its corporate mission of fostering a diverse talent pipeline for the agency and industry. The VVK Fellowship will be focused on attracting emerging practitioners of color who are interested in learning the agency environment, its clients’ industries, and developing their communications skills.
VVK’s partners will also look to the fellows to support business operations to ensure it is hearing new voices and viewpoints as it refines its culture, practices, and policies. In addition to the VVK Fellowship, as the agency is looking to expand its team, it will continue to prioritize diversity, a critically important company attribute for its founders and clients.
“A major indicator of our success will be how our actions, not words, create great talent experiences. From day one, we will encourage the voices of the VVK team to be integral in how we operate and expand,” says Walters.
VVK has clients in agriculture, automotive, energy, media, insurance, IT, legal, nonprofit, and real estate industries, representing nearly $2 million in projected annual revenue.
The VVK partners state they are focused on continued growth in these industries, as well as looking at other markets where they can bring proven expertise and solutions to help impact future clients’ brands, and the communities and sectors they serve.
Its services include:
- Public relations
- Video production
- Digital media
- Media relations
- Public affairs
- Issues and crisis management
- Stakeholder and community relations
- Organizational and executive positioning
- Event production
For more information, visit www.vvkagency.com.
