Barkley, one of the largest ESOP-owned (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) ad agencies in the U.S., has transitioned ownership to its leadership team. The ESOP sold 100% of its shares back to the company at an all-time high valuation. As a result, a management group led by its executive team now owns 100% of the company’s stock.
Prior to this sale, a significant percentage of the stock was held by former Barkley employees. This change brings 100% of the shares back into the company and maintains Barkley’s competitive advantage as an independent agency. Barkley announced that it has retained all of its current leadership team through this process.
“This helps us preserve our strong culture and puts us in a great position to continue attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry,” said CEO Jeff King. “This process helped us create the best possible conditions to continue driving growth and providing exceptional value to our clients.”
“The ESOP was the right tool for the company to grow during the last 22 years,” said Dan Fromm, president and COO. “This new structure will be a catalyst for maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit that has always been at our core.”
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More