Kansas City, MO Oct. 14, 2025 — EAG Advertising and Marketing, a leading full-service advertising and marketing agency based in Kansas City, has acquired INK inc. Public Relations, the nation’s oldest pay-for-performance public relations firm.
This move reflects a broader shift in how public relations impacts digital marketing. With the growing importance of brand mentions in AI-driven search results, PR is no longer just about reputation. It’s a critical driver of visibility and discoverability. EAG is acquiring INK at a time when modern PR has become essential to ensuring that small and mid-sized businesses show up where it matters most: in the moments when potential customers are searching for solutions.
“As AI continues to reshape search, earned media and credible brand mentions are becoming the new SEO,” said Michele Markham, President and CEO of EAG. “We believe our clients deserve to be at the forefront of that change.”
The acquisition enables EAG to immediately offer INK’s powerful public relations and earned media capabilities to its roster of current and future clients, creating a uniquely comprehensive suite of integrated marketing services under one roof. As part of the move, INK CEO Ryan Gerding will join EAG’s leadership team as Chief Public Relations Officer, ensuring a seamless integration of INK’s expertise into EAG’s service offerings.
“Public relations has always been about earning trust through credible content,” said Gerding. “What’s changing now is how that credibility directly drives visibility in AI-driven search. By combining INK’s earned media expertise with EAG’s marketing strengths, we’re giving clients a powerful advantage in a marketplace that’s evolving faster than ever.”
“INK inc. is nationally known for its ability to generate high-impact media coverage for clients across industries,” added Markham. “Bringing that expertise to EAG allows us to meet growing client demand for public relations strategies that deliver measurable results.”
Founded in 1997 by public relations and marketing veteran Dick Grove, INK inc. has long been recognized for its performance-based PR model, media-savvy team, and consistent results in securing national coverage for clients. As part of the acquisition, INK’s Overland Park-based staff will relocate to EAG’s headquarters in Kansas City’s Crossroads District.
“This marks an exciting new chapter,” said Grove. “We’ve always believed that PR works best when it’s aligned with broader marketing strategies. Joining forces with EAG allows us to deliver that alignment, and even greater value, for their clients.”
About EAG Advertising and Marketing
EAG, headquartered in Kansas City’s vibrant Crossroads District, is a fiercely entrepreneurial marketing advisory and creative agency. Since 2003, we’ve helped businesses cut through the noise with our no hype, just hustle approach. We think like owners, building strategies that amplify strengths, close gaps, and get results. Our culture attracts and keeps top talent, creating a place where people love to work and a foundation of consistency and commitment that earn the trust and loyalty of our clients, whether it’s through a bold idea or a critical detail delivered flawlessly.