I had the honor of being invited as a judge for the 2026 U.S. Effie finalists in NYC last week, and it was an enlightening experience. Being in a room with some of the best and brightest across the industry, spanning disciplines and perspectives, and spending five hours reviewing smart, creative, impactful work is the kind of brain exercise I wish I could do more often. The rule of being a judge is simple: snitches get stitches (okay, maybe my Chicago roots are showing and th

Expo West is pretty much the Coachella of the food industry, at least for the kinds of clients Spool works with. It’s massive. The people watching is excellent. And there is an endless supply of things to eat and drink, though not everything is something you’ll want to eat regularly… or ever again. But as is the case every year, Expo West also feels a little like stepping into the future of food. This year’s version just happened to unfold at the pace of a New York rush-hour

Big news (and big gratitude). For the second year in a row, Spool has been named by PRovoke Media as one of the Best Consumer PR Agencies in the World. Read more here .

Level-up(dates)! Please join us in celebrating Steph Ford, Anna McAndrew, and Parker Rhodes on their well-deserved promotions! Each of them began their journey here as interns and have grown into leaders that continue to raise the bar with passion, grit, and a whole lotta heart. LFG. ✨

Bragg Live Foods Selects Spool as Public Relations Agency of Record Bragg Live Foods, the pioneering wellness brand best known for its legacy in apple cider vinegar and plant-forward nutrition, has named Spool as its public relations agency of record following a competitive review. Under the partnership, Spool will lead Bragg’s earned media strategy, supporting the brand’s efforts to reinforce its positioning and leadership in the modern health and wellness landscape. The wor

Here are just some of the things that caught our team’s attention across culture, business and media. In a noisy world we cut through, connect the dots, and show what matters for brands right now. did anyone ask for this and even if so, why? What’s happening? The seesaw of AI keeps whipping from awe to apathy to… who wants this? In addition to it likely taking all our jobs in a few months (lol, sob), what once felt like the future now feels like filler, and audiences not only

We’re thrilled to share that Spool has been named one of the Best Agencies in the U.S. by Provoke Media! A huge thank you to our incredible clients, partners, and the entire Spool team. Your trust and collaboration make achievements like this possible.

We’ve always known Anna McAndrew was a total PR powerhouse, and now it’s official! 🎉 She’s been named to this year’s Publicity Club of Chicago 30 Under 30! From landing big media wins to leading client convos like a seasoned pro (all while keeping team vibes and culture high), Anna brings curiosity, creativity, and relentless drive to everything she does. We’re so proud to see her hard work and growth recognized alongside such an inspiring group of young pros. Way to go, Ann

We’re proud to share that Spool has been named to the 2026 PR News Agency Elite Top 120, honoring the agencies redefining what PR can be. This recognition celebrates teams who lead with creativity, build with strategy, and measure what matters. It’s proof that bold ideas and meaningful impact aren’t just possible, they’re what happens when you trust your people, push boundaries. And do the work that actually moves brands forward. To our clients, our partners, and our team: th

Breakthrough ideas aren’t born in spreadsheets, they’re built in collaboration, creative tension, and sharp strategy. Holding companies sell infrastructure, not ideas. Independent agencies like Spool focus on solving specific business problems with the right creative thinking, not selling scale. The best talent didn’t disappear, they went independent. Small agencies are now led by the people big agencies once deemed expendable, and they’re doing the work that actually gets no

Spool just hit a MAJOR milestone in our journey of growth and impact - Katie Kierna (SVP, Group Director) and Jody Moore (SVP, People & Operations) have been named our agency’s first Partners! Katie and Jody have been the driving forces behind our bold strategies, relentless innovation, and people-first culture, both playing pivotal roles in shaping Spool’s success and future. With their partnership, we’re entering an exciting new chapter, scaling our business and continuing

We’re thrilled to share that Spool has been selected as one of the 2025 Agency Elite Top 120 by PR News! This incredible honor wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing clients, partners, and team—thank you for the support this year!