We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrea Aker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrea below.

Andrea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

In a nutshell, I strive to build critical thinkers and writers. As people become more reliant on artificial intelligence (AI), their ability to strategically and clearly articulate complex thoughts is diminishing. There is a delicate balance at the helm of a marketing and PR agency – it’s vital to embrace technology and unleash its power to build businesses, but it’s also important to understand that technology can’t replace authentic emotional connections, creativity and ingenuity – which are also essential for building businesses. I aim to strike that balance.

Critical thinking is a muscle that must be trained. I have dedicated countless hours to mentoring young professionals on how to think differently, independently and strategically through one-on-one interactions and group activities that are foundational to the culture and operations at Aker Ink. When I see our leaders successfully train young professionals on how to reposition or strategize a concept, I light up like a mama bear.

In a similar vein, writing is one of the greatest tools for training critical thinking. I attribute much of my personal success to solid writing skills that helped me understand myriad audiences, effective storytelling and business strategy at a deep level. When I stumbled across a quote from George Orwell, this connection to writing and business strategy became clearer: “If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them.”

Not only do I fuel this legacy through my work running Aker Ink, but I have also started a scholarship and endowment at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, one of the nation’s top journalism schools. I earned my master’s degree here in 2008.

Andrea, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I founded Aker Ink PR & Marketing, which helps companies nationwide increase brand awareness, enhance thought leadership and generate leads. We think creatively and critically, developing strategies that resonate with targeted audiences and incite action.

As an actively engaged CEO, I work alongside our managing director to steer the greater strategy for our clients and mentor our team of marketing and PR professionals. We are best known for our work in professional services, healthcare, finance, law, manufacturing, technology and real estate, yet we delve into other industries when missions and skillsets align. I find the work very fulfilling – I love building people and businesses alike. I love the layers of strategy involved and the unique problems that must be solved.

I commonly refer to our team as the Army Rangers of our industry – we are an elite team trusted for the most complex and high-stakes initiatives. Everyone on our team operates at the highest level for their particular roles. Expectations, output and job satisfaction are high.

I started my career as a news journalist, working in both newspaper and television. While engaged in my craft, I felt like my potential and opportunity were limited. I transitioned into PR in the mid- 2000s and quickly discovered that I could leverage my foundation in writing in so many more ways. I also had a natural instinct for business strategy, which I honed by simply throwing myself into a variety of challenges that others shied away from. The best way to learn, is to do.
I launched Aker Ink just as the Great Recession rocked corporate America. Yet the company’s small size and nimbleness enabled us to thrive, even in tough economic times. We remained a small company with a handful of employees until COVID hit, and I released a limiting mindset and focused on strategically building the business. It was one of the best decisions I ever made; I couldn’t be prouder of the team and the work we do for our clients. Our approach is highly strategic – every word, visual and action has a purpose.

Today, Aker Ink is consistently honored for our campaigns and leadership. We’ve secured Agency of the Year multiple times from the Public Relations Society of America, Phoenix chapter, and we are ranked as a top place to work by the Phoenix Business Journal and Az Business.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

We have a reputation for quality because of a team-wide dedication to quality output. We have built a culture that values high performance and professional development, and this shows in our work. We’ve had a consistent stream of referrals for years.

We pursue awards for a wide variety of tactics and strategies, and this too, demonstrates our capabilities and critical thinking.

As a leader, I’m also actively engaged in the community, serving on professional and charitable boards. I also encourage our team members to participate in associations through volunteering and board service.
Additionally, I’m an active Vistage member — a CEO mentoring organization — and showcase thought leadership through regular contributions to local business media and the Forbes Business Council.

Any advice for managing a team?

People innately want to learn and grow. Managers and leaders need to provide their teams with opportunities to do just that – offer mentorship, a supportive environment and professional development. This effort builds loyalty and leads to a happier workforce.

Additionally, you can’t let a bad apple spoil the bunch. If you want a team of high performers who are satisfied with their careers, you must only hire and support high performers who love what they do. If a team member isn’t a culture or skill fit, it is best for everyone involved to end the relationship. This is among the most challenging aspects of leading a company, but it is also vital to understand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://akerink.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aker.ink/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akerink
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaaker/ AND https://www.linkedin.com/company/aker-ink

Image Credits
Courtesy of Aker Ink