Darin Gray has been named president of Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods, the largest advertising, marketing and public relations firm based in Arkansas.
Gray, 49, stepped down from his post as chief executive officer of Springdale niche publishing company Gray Matters on Feb. 10. He said at the time he was looking for an opportunity to focus on issues of “broader, statewide perspective,” but hadn’t decided what his next step would be.
Joining Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods will allow Gray to focus on a variety of areas that interest him, including work with Arkansas-based corporations, state government and tourism, he said.
“Here was an opportunity that allowed me to stay in the private sector and follow the passions I’ve had all along,” Gray said. “The more I thought about it, the more it just made sense.”
In addition to serving as president of the agency, Gray joins the firm’s executive committee and board of directors.
Other executive committee members include Chair-man and Chief Executive Officer Wayne Woods; Chairmen Emeriti Wayne Cranford and Shelby Woods; and Steve Allen, the firm’s senior vice president and chief financial officer.
Wayne Woods and Shelby Woods will continue to be involved in day-to-day operations, but Wayne Woods said Gray will eventually expand his leadership role.
Woods said that Gray’s network of contacts in Northwest Arkansas was a big selling point as the firm began looking for a president. Other criteria Woods wanted in the new president were “proven leadership,” “experience in a multifaceted business” and “established relationships throughout the state.”
Woods said he and Gray had conversations “over the last couple of years,” but it wasn’t until recently that Gray emerged as a candidate. The firm has been searching for a president since last year. Gray and Woods have a relationship dating back about 26 years.
“We had four criteria of who we wanted in a president,” Woods said. “We get all of that in Darin.
“Northwest Arkansas is on fire from an economic standpoint,” Woods added. “There are so many opportunities up there. I do want to say, though, that Darin was hired as president of Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods. He’s not just the president of Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods Northwest Arkansas. … He’s president of our entire agency.”
The agency employs 85, with 68 employees based in Little Rock and 17 in Northwest Arkansas. Gray, who will continue to live in Northwest Arkansas, said growing in the region will be a focus.
The firm reports approximately $75 million in capitalized billings annually. Capitalized billings are an aggregate total of all measured business that passes through a particular agency and are a popular industry metric for judging agency size.
“This company has a 52-year history. They’ve been iconic in this industry in Arkansas and nationally,” Gray said. “To play a role in a company that started years before I was born - it’s humbling. I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”
While head of Gray Matters, Gray served as chairman of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission. He also has experience in economic development and with local chambers of commerce.
Business, Pages 25 on 02/20/2014