After 76 years, Minnesota's oldest independent agency emerges with a new identity as Meerkat. The transition represents a fundamental evolution of the agency to an independent creative company built for what's next in brands, culture, and creativity.
The name Meerkat, has been part of the agency's DNA for years. It was the name of their in-house production studio, built to move fast and get work made without the usual layers. It now fits the agency's current, evolved approach.
Fiercely independent and employee-owned, powered by a deep bench of emerging and seasoned talent who are relentlessly curious about how technology is reshaping culture across every generation.
"We've got decades in the rear view, and we're far more interested in what's ahead," said Jennifer Spire, CEO and Partner of Meerkat. "Meerkat is a statement of ambition, to see the opportunities others miss, make work that actually matters, and build the kind of agency that takes brands into the future."
Meerkat works with a diverse portfolio of well-known brands, including Taco John’s, Medtronic and Precision Tune Auto Care. With expertise spanning healthcare, food and beverage, retail and financial services, the agency helps brands navigate every stage of growth, from identifying the right opportunity at critical stages to bringing bold ideas to life and driving meaningful results.
“Over eight years, Preston Spire has become more than an agency partner—they’ve become a trusted steward of our brand. They've helped us navigate change, bring our house of brands together and move forward with greater clarity and purpose. This next chapter with Meerkat feels like a natural evolution of the agency we already know: curious, collaborative and always looking ahead. We’re proud to be part of what comes next,” stated Kelly Norton, Senior Director, Enterprise Brand, Grande.
The industry is consolidating. Cutting through is harder than it's ever been, and getting a whole organization behind one idea is harder still. Meerkat has been making feisty ideas and rallying people behind them for years. The name makes it official.
"We're not interested in standing still, or doing something because that's how it's always been done," said Dustin Black, Chief Creative Officer and Partner. "The name's a promise to keep moving."
Welcome to Meerkat.
Meerkat is a fiercely independent, employee-owned full-service creative agency in Minneapolis. Founded 76 years ago and operating as Preston Spire until 2026, Meerkat creates feisty ideas for brands on the move. The agency builds strategy, creative, and media around a single idea sharp enough to unite a client's teams, partners, and customers, and measures the work in business outcomes. No holding company. No layers. The people who win your business are the people doing your business.
Press: Michelle Parks, michelleparksmccourt@gmail.com
New business: Eric VanderVorste, evandervorste@hellomeerkat.com