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7/7/2026
Insights
Increasing Convenience Store Margins with Smarter Strategy
From merchandising to foodservice, explore strategies that help convenience retailers increase profitability and customer value.
Read on Retail Touchpoints
6/28/2026
Insights
Maximizing Revenue in the Era of the Cautious Customer
Strategies for helping convenience retailers boost revenue by adapting to changing shopper behaviors.
Read on CS News
6/15/2026
Agency News
Meet Minneapolis Appoints Preston Spire as Agency of Record
The partnership will launch a bold new tourism strategy and destination rebrand designed to elevate Minneapolis as a premier destination.
Read Press Release
6/11/2026
Agency News
New Creative Leadership Heralds Preston Spire’s Next Chapter
Dustin Black named CCO and Partner, co-leading alongside CEO Jennifer Spire with bolder creative and sharper strategy ahead.
Read Press Release
4/20/2026
Awards
Project Lockdown Named Winner at Ad Age Creativity Awards
We won Best Work for Good at the Ad Age Creativity Awards for our “Project Lockdown” campaign.
See The Work
3/8/2026
Awards
Good Wins: “Project Lockdown” Earns 2026 AdFed Best of Show
Good Wins: “Project Lockdown” Earns Best of Show at 2026 AdFed Awards
2/3/2026
In The Press
The Ad Podcast: The Curious Mind Behind Bold Ideas
Creative veteran Dustin Black joins the conversation to discuss curiosity, big ideas, and building brands that break through.
Listen Now
1/20/2026
Insights
Marketing Insider: RMNs Offer Tremendous Value—but Don’t Put ALL Your Eggs in That Basket
Preston Spire’s Jeannette Tschida makes the case for traditional TV’s enduring power in a digital-first world.
1/19/2026
In The Press
Be brave, be curious, be kind: creative storytelling with creative director Dustin Black
Award-winning Executive Creative Director Dustin Black shares insights on creativity, career milestones, and building bold ideas through curiosity.
Listen Now
1/12/2026
In The Press
9 Marketing Predictions for 2026 as AI Fuels Polarity
The widening gap between decision-makers and makers reflects marketing’s shifting priorities, Dustin Black observes.
11/16/2025
In The Press
Built to Last: The 75-Year Agency Still Breaking Rules
CEO Jennifer Spire sits down with Steve Guberman of Agency Bytes to speak on modernizing a legacy agency, leading through change, and shaping the future of a values-driven Midwest powerhouse.
11/14/2025
In The Press
Forget Chestnuts, People are Roasting Coca-Cola’s AI Ad this Christmas
Preston Spire’s Dustin Black weighs in on Coca-Cola’s AI holiday ad and the risks brands face when tech overtakes human storytelling.
11/13/2025
Insights
Conscious Brands Focus Marketing on Tangible Promises
Grocery prices continue to rise, but conscious brands that deliver on the values they promise are still seeing sales increase, says marketing expert Victor Kimble.
Read commentary
10/7/2025
In The Press
Building a Culture of Curiosity with Dustin Black
In this episode of Creative Chats, Mike Brennan talks with ECD Dustin Black about creativity, AI’s impact, resourcefulness, and building curious, adaptable teams.
Listen Now
9/18/2025
Our Work
Teachers Unify Taps Preston Spire to Launch Nationwide “Project Lockdown” Campaign
Preston Spire and Teachers Unify partnered on “Project Lockdown,” a campaign promoting gun locks to prevent school shootings.
9/7/2025
In The Press
What’s Really Keeping Creative Directors Up At Night?
Dustin Black has a sobering truth to share: creative directors are not just managing creative departments anymore–they are leading organizations through a fundamental transformation.
Read the article
9/7/2025
In The Press
AI Threatens Entry-level Marketing Jobs—And The Future Talent Pipeline
AI is handling tasks that once taught junior staff marketing fundamentals. Cutting these positions now means a talent shortage down the line, Jennifer Spire weighs in.
8/13/2025
Insights
From Purpose To Promise: Why Current Times Are Reshaping Brand Strategy
As seen on MediaPost, our chief marketing officer, Victor Kimble, tackles a key question: Is the age of brand purpose over?
7/8/2025
Agency News
Dustin Black Joins Preston Spire As ECD
You meet Dustin and immediately feel the belief. In ideas. In curiosity. In a constantly evolving commitment to leading our craft. Yep, we feel lucky to have him. But you can say it anyway.
Meet Dustin
6/2/2025
Agency News
Preston Spire hires Allison Kuznia, Account Director
Allison brings over 20 years of account leadership and cooks through an entire cookbook every year on Insta.
Meet Allison
3/31/2025
Agency News
New Sustainability Level Unlocked!: Our Composter Gets a Glow-Up
Our shiny new office composting system is better than ever, helping us reduce waste and support sustainability.
View update
3/31/2025
Awards
2025 AdFed MN's The Show Recognizes Free Guitars 4 Kids Campaign
Music can change lives. Our Free Guitars 4 Kids project received big props at this year's local AdFed Show.
View announcement
3/6/2025
In The Press
Star Tribune: MN ad exec believes 2025 is ‘year of the independents’
Our fearless leader Jennifer Spire discusses staying an independent agency while navigating company growth.
2/3/2025
In The Press
One Club: Break Free with Creative Director Brett Essman
Brett shares new campaign for Free Guitars 4 Kids and the importance of encouraging kids to discover music.
Read the interview
1/31/2025
Awards
PS receives Anthem Award for impactful work with Change the Ref
We are honored for this recognition of our work to bring awareness to gun violence and those affected by it.
1/31/2025
Our Work
Big, unignorable new TV spot for MN Alliance on Problem Gambling
We worked with MNAPG to create a bold metaphor that reminds Minnesotans: you can't ignore problem gambling.
View campaign
1/26/2025
Awards
Preston Spire on Ad Age’s Best Places to Work for Second Year in a Row
From #18 to #3! This is a testament to the culture, creativity, and collaboration that fuels everything we do.
12/31/2024
Our Work
PS is making it rain in new TV spot for Western National Insurance
Our latest spot for our “Power of Nice” campaign humorously reflects their empathetic and effective coverage.
9/30/2024
In The Press
Podcast: Brett Essman breaks down how to create your own opportunities
Creative Director Brett Essman on leadership and teamwork lessons from ad world to youth basketball.
Listen to the episode
9/30/2024
Awards
Gun violence campaign with Change the Ref named Anthem Award Finalist
We're gratified that our gun violence work is gaining a wider audience and recognition.
View recognition
9/9/2024
Our Work
Ads of Brands: PS and Free Guitars 4 Kids empower youth through music
New branding campaign positions the guitar as a powerful tool for teens to escape the perils of social media.
Read on Ads of Brands
8/31/2024
Agency News
Preston Spire hires Shristi Bashista, Data Strategist
We welcome this stats whiz with Ivy League experience in marketing analytics & developmental economics.
Meet Shristi
7/31/2024
Agency News
Preston Spire hires Davis Zismer, Account Director
Davis brings 15 years of account management and industry experience, plus endless Disney Princess knowledge.
Meet Davis
7/31/2024
Awards
Ad Age 2024 Campaign of the Year: Change the Ref, "The New Life Vest"
This powerful campaign focused on raising awareness about gun violence with more than 13 million impressions.
View announcement
7/24/2024
Our Work
Ad Age: How PS took on mass shootings without getting too political
The inspiration behind "The New Life Vest"—our latest work with Change the Ref, about gun violence awareness.
5/28/2024
In The Press
Star Tribune: ad vet Chris Preston has his best ideas on his bike
Chris' perspectives on AI and how his endurance pedaling serves as a “healthy escape” from the ad world.
4/30/2024
Agency News
Preston Spire hires Jodi Underwood, Project Management Director
Jodi brings 20 years of project management experience and has an uncanny ability to make homemade ice cream.
Meet Jodi
4/30/2024
Our Work
New website launch for the mental health organization Make It OK
Make It OK provides communities with mental health support through engagement, ambassadors, and resources.
View announcement
4/3/2024
In The Press
Authority Magazine: Jennifer Spire on authentic women’s leadership
Jennifer Spire became PS CEO/Partner after a career driving towards her childhood goal: running an ad agency.
Read the interview
3/31/2024
Awards
Webby Nominee: "The New Life Vest" website for Change the Ref
We accept this honor in memory of Joaquin Oliver, killed in Parkland’s school shooting.
View nomination
3/4/2024
Awards
Preston Spire wins 21 awards at 2024 AdFed MN The Show
Wins for Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling, New Life Vest, YMCA, MN Wild, MNter Candles, Meerkat Studios
2/9/2024
In The Press
Kare 11: What trends can we expect for the Super Bowl commercials?
Preston Spire's Creative Director Charlie Tournat preview some of this year's top Super Bowl commercials.
Watch on KARE 11
1/28/2024
In The Press
Muse by Clios: 2 Minutes with Brett Essman, CD at Preston Spire
On being uninhibited and persistent. Hear his background, creative inspirations and the recent work he admires.
Read the interview
1/23/2024
Awards
Ad Age: Preston Spire Named in Ad Age’s 2024 Best Places to Work
The independent "Good Wins" agency was one of the top 25 winners of companies with 200 or fewer employees.
9/28/2023
Awards
Preston Spire Celebrates Win of 17 Muse Creative Awards
With 4 gold and 13 silver, these awards mark the largest international showing in Preston Spire’s history.
8/22/2023
In The Press
Podcast: Confessions of a Creative Director with Brett Essman
Brett’s here to talk about being proactive and looking for the opportunity to create big ideas in every brief.
Listen to the episode
8/17/2023
Our Work
Muse by Clios: The Story Behind Change the Ref's Bulletproof Vest
We asked, “What would shoppers say if we offered to rent them a bulletproof vest?” And the idea was born.
Read the story
8/10/2023
Our Work
Ad Age: Change the Ref Suggests Wearing Bulletproof Vests in New PSA
The creatively driven activist group unveils “The New Life Vest” to protect from everyday gun violence.
Read on Ad Age
7/6/2023
Our Work
Dark new PSA demystifies the idea that gambling addiction isn't real
Edgy TV spot for MN Alliance on Problem Gambling connects gambling addiction to more well-known addictions.
6/21/2023
Awards
Preston Spire Wins Radio Mercury Award for YMCA Membership Campaign
Comedic radio spot boosts YMCA enrollment by calling out those sleeping on their fitness goals—literally.
6/19/2023
Awards
Preston Spire Wins Effie Award for Second Harvest Heartland Campaign
Bronze Effie Award in the Social Good: Non-Profit category for “enough 2 share” hunger awareness campaign
6/12/2023
Our Work
PS creates provocative outdoor/posters for “Break Your Bias” campaign
The new work maintains the goal of helping people start conversations and notice their own prejudices.
5/3/2023
Awards
Preston Spire wins big at 40th Healthcare Advertising Awards
PS brings home 9 trophies for work on Kennedy Krieger Institute, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, and UCare.
4/13/2023
Our Work
Minnesota Wild Fans Beckoned to “Heed the Call” in New Campaign
Preston Spire is bringing the noise—via the Minnesota Wild’s goal horn—to promote season ticket memberships.
3/22/2023
Awards
Preston Spire wins 9 awards at 2023 AdFed MN The Show
We took home 9 bronze pins for Break Your Bias, Kennedy Krieger Institute, NoDoz, UCare and YMCA of the North.
6/1/2022
Awards
Preston Spire wins 2 awards at 20th Internet Advertising Competition
Wins for Best Healthcare Provider Online Video for Lifespark and Best Nonprofit Website for Break Your Bias
5/10/2022
Our Work
Good meets Nice: Preston Spire & Western National are a perfect match
Revealing the Power of Nice campaign behind Western National Insurance's famously friendly customer experience
5/5/2022
In The Press
Preston Spire: Perfecting the Art of Positive Messaging
How our "Good Wins" approach helps us maintain positivity in healthcare advertising since the pandemic
5/2/2022
Awards
Multiple clients recognized at 39th Healthcare Advertising Awards
Out of 4,400 entries, PS brings home gold, silver and bronze for Kennedy Krieger Institute, Lifespark and UCare.
4/25/2022
Our Work
The Webby Awards Crafted with Code goes inside Break Your Bias website
Breaking down the cultural insights, approachable design, and powerful stories behind the eye-opening website
4/6/2022
Awards
Break Your Bias Named Finalist for the 26th Annual Webby Awards
The online experience is 1 of only 5 finalists for Best Websites/Mobile Sites, Corporate Social Responsibility.
3/20/2022
Agency News
MSPBJ: Cool Offices: Preston Spire moves to Minneapolis’ Mill District
The firm’s new space, by the Mississippi River in the Crown Roller Mill building, grew its footprint by 20%.
3/6/2022
Awards
Preston Spire Wins Twelve Awards at AdFed MN The Show
Pins for Break Your Bias, Second Harvest Heartland, Lifespark, NoDoz and the Preston Spire re-brand
12/12/2021
Our Work
Shots Magazine: Little people, big hearts in MN hunger campaign
This cute hunger campaign for Second Harvest Heartland reveals that even kids know we have #enough2share.
Read on SHOTS
10/18/2021
Awards
Second Harvest Heartland spot wins Upper Midwest Regional Emmy® Award
“A New Kind of Record” focused on MN's campaign to end hunger and won Outstanding Public Service Announcement.
7/14/2021
Agency News
Star Tribune: MN ad agency Preston Kelly gets new name and new digs
The agency is now called Preston Spire (after CEO/Partner Jennifer Spire) and has moved to the Mill District.