Terry Kroeger buys SKAR Advertising

Terry Kroeger

SKAR Advertising, a full-service integrated advertising agency in Omaha, Neb., has been purchased by Terry Kroeger, who was previously chairman and chief executive officer of BH Media Group and publisher of the Omaha World-Herald. Effective with the purchase, Kroeger will become president and CEO of SKAR.

"When I left BH Media Group, I was looking for my next adventure," Kroeger said. "With SKAR, I see a solid business foundation, a long history and tradition with true growth potential, and talented people already in place to drive that growth. I've found the adventure."

One hundred percent of the firm's shares were sold by the Smith family and the SKAR partner group. The Smith family has had ownership in the firm since 1962, when Wayne Smith founded the agency as Smith Kaplan. All partners will remain with the company, including Joleen (Smith) David, president of SKAR since 2000, who will stay on as vice chair for at least two years.

In its nearly 60-year history, SKAR has built a reputation for creativity and results. Kroeger said his focus will be to build upon SKAR's success in advertising and incorporate that knowledge and talent into finding client solutions in other business areas.

"SKAR has demonstrated excellence in delivering a core set of services – advertising, marketing, design and digital – and it is well-positioned for expansion," Kroeger said. "Areas like strategic planning, business consulting, public relations and crisis management are all natural extensions of our primary lines of business. As we explore these opportunities, we will seek additional acquisitions and partnerships, and look to attract talent as we grow."

Kroeger brings 33 years of management experience as well as hundreds of regional and national business and media contacts. Prior to joining SKAR, Kroeger helped usher in a new age of media at the Omaha World-Herald, which was purchased by Berkshire Hathaway in 2011 and then became part of BH Media Group in 2012. His experience managing a media company in an evolving industry landscape makes him particularly qualified to lead SKAR.

"During my tenure leading BH Media Group, our team operated high-quality, high-integrity newspapers that produced great journalism and also were profitable.  This experience was a great way to prepare for this venture at SKAR, and I'm excited about it," Kroeger said.

Kroeger is a past chairman of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and currently serves as chairman of the Aksarben Foundation, which is now focused on workforce development. He is a member of the board of directors of the Associated Press, based in New York City, and is chairman of the News Media Alliance, the primary trade and lobbying association for the newspaper industry.

"Terry brings an exciting combination of experience and expertise to SKAR, along with a collaborative approach and personal values that make him the perfect fit for a client-focused, 'check-your-ego-at-the-door' culture. We are thrilled to welcome this charismatic leader and work with him to write a brilliant new chapter in the history of the company," said David.