OLSON Couldn't Resist the Steve Peckham Effect
Consumer Marketing Pro Joins Agency as SVP
Seasoned public relations executive Steve Peckham has returned in a blaze of glory to Minneapolis (from Chicago), to create a new position at Olson— senior vice president and director of holistic services. In his new role, Peckham oversees Olson’s public relations, account management and interactive disciplines, and helps provide senior leadership for some of the agency’s largest and most complex clients. He also is responsible for enhancing the agency’s social engagement offerings.
"Steve has a natural holistic sensibility in the way he thinks and operates on the job," says Kevin DiLorenzo, Olson president and CEO. "He’s at Olson to make sure we’re always connecting clients throughout the agency, bringing the most efficient models to serve their business to the forefront. Plus he happens to be one of the smartest, easy to work with people, ever."
Adding Steve’s senior bench strength allows Olson to accommodate the agency’s continued growth. His arrival creates even greater synergy, keeping Olson more nimble and streamlined to deliver its wealth of experience efficiently to all clients.
"My primary goal is to ensure that agency teams are focused on Olson’s holistic agency model, internally and externally, while still fostering the entrepreneurial spirit necessary to grow and enhance each discipline," says Steve Peckham, new Olson SVP and director of holistic services. "My secondary goal? To ensure that Brett Favre, his gimpy ankle, his dangling bicep tendon and his priceless sound-bites re-enlist for another run at a Vikings Super Bowl victory."
Prior to joining Olson, Steve spent four years at Edelman Chicago, where he was senior vice president and account group director for clients including Unilever, Darden Restaurants, Scotts Miracle-Gro and Leo Burnett Worldwide. While in this role, he served as interim U.S. PR director and agency spokesperson at client Leo Burnett, a global network of 200-plus operating units and more than 90 full-service advertising agencies in 82 countries. For client AXE, Unilever’s leading men’s grooming brand, Steve provided strategic planning and development, during which time the brand enjoyed record sales and won many industry awards for cutting-edge marketing, PR and social media campaigns.
He has also worked for SC Johnson, Weber Shandwick, Bozell Kamstra and Colle+McVoy. He and his wife have two small boys, for whom he also directs holistic services.
Steve holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in journalism with emphases in public relations and broadcast news. He has lent his talents to professional organizations and events such as the PRSA, Minnesota Film and Television Board, 2002 PGA Championship, Super Bowl XXVI, Twin Cities Marathon and International Special Olympics.
