Mower is one of America's largest 100% employee-owned (ESOP) full-service integrated agencies — with a 58-year operating history that makes it a structural outlier in the US agency landscape. Founded in 1968 in Syracuse, NY, the firm operated as Eric Mower + Associates (EMA) until a 2018 rebrand simplified the name to Mower. Executive Chairman Eric Mower joined the firm in 1968, bought 100% of the agency in 1980, converted the firm to an ESOP in 2022, and appointed Stephanie Crockett as President and CEO in 2023. The firm serves clients including National Grid, FirstEnergy, FedEx, Bausch & Lomb, Carhartt, Siemens, and Northwest Bank.
| Founded | 1968 in Syracuse, NY |
| Rebranded | 2018 (from Eric Mower + Associates to Mower) |
| Headquarters | Syracuse, NY |
| Offices | Syracuse NY, New York City, Buffalo NY, Albany NY, Rochester NY, Cincinnati OH, Atlanta GA, Boston MA, Charlotte NC |
| CEO | Stephanie Crockett (President & CEO, appointed 2023) |
| Executive Chairman | Eric Mower (joined 1968; bought 100% in 1980) |
| Head of Public Relations & Public Affairs | Trish Nugent, SVP (New York City) |
| Employees | 140-200 |
| Ownership | 100% employee-owned (ESOP since 2022) |
| Certifications | WBENC certified (Women's Business Enterprise National Council) |
| Specialties | Integrated marketing, advertising, PR, public affairs, B2B, healthcare, hospitality, financial services, energy, consumer |
Overview
Mower is one of the largest privately held full-service integrated marketing, advertising, and public relations agencies in the United States — and one of a small number of US agencies operating as a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) firm. The agency was founded in 1968 in Syracuse, New York, and grew over five decades through a combination of organic expansion and 8+ strategic combinations with regional and specialty firms.
In 2022, Mower made its "Act Like an Owner" value a structural reality when the firm became an ESOP. In 2023, Eric Mower appointed Stephanie Crockett as President & CEO, completing a generational leadership transition while preserving the firm's ownership ethos.
Why Employee Ownership Matters
Employee ownership through an ESOP changes the structural incentives of an agency. Profits flow back to the staff who do the work rather than to outside shareholders. Decisions about acquisitions, hires, client mix, and reinvestment are made with the long-term interests of employees in mind. ESOPs also align retention and recruiting around a tangible ownership stake — employees vest in real value over time. In an industry where independent firms have sold steadily to holding companies and PE-backed networks for two decades, employee ownership offers an alternative path: independence preserved through structural commitment, not just stated intent.
Why It Matters
Mower is a structural outlier in the US agency landscape. Few independent agencies reach five decades in operation, and fewer convert to 100% employee ownership. Mower's 2022 ESOP transition is one of the more consequential employee-ownership transitions in the agency industry, providing a counterpoint to the broader pattern of independent agencies selling to holding companies or PE-backed networks. The 2023 succession from Executive Chairman Eric Mower to President & CEO Stephanie Crockett — who leads a majority-women leadership team — is a clean generational transition that reinforces the agency's continuity. The firm's geographic spread across Syracuse, New York City, Buffalo, Albany, Cincinnati, Boston, Atlanta, and Charlotte gives it a true national independent footprint.
History and Ownership
Eric Mower joined a small Syracuse advertising firm in 1968. He became a partner in the early 1970s and purchased 100% of the agency in 1980. Over the next four decades, Mower expanded the firm through a series of strategic combinations: Sage Marcom of Syracuse (2001); Price McNabb of Charlotte (2004); Mark Russell & Associates of Syracuse and Atlanta and Sawchuck Brown Associates of Albany (2008); Strata-G Communications of Cincinnati (2012); Middleton & Gendron of New York City (2014); and HB Agency of Boston (October 2015).
In 2018, marking Eric Mower's 50th year with the company, the agency simplified its name from Eric Mower + Associates to Mower. The rebrand signaled the firm's evolution from a founder-centric organization toward a broader firm with depth in multiple service areas.
In 2022, Mower became an ESOP — 100% employee owned. In 2023, Eric Mower appointed Stephanie Crockett as President & CEO. Eric Mower became Executive Chairman.
Key Milestones
1968: Eric Mower joined the Syracuse advertising firm that would become Mower.
1980: Eric Mower bought 100% of the agency.
1996-1998: Opened Albany, NY (1996) and Atlanta, GA (1998) offices.
2001-2015: Combined with Sage Marcom (2001), Price McNabb (2004), Mark Russell & Associates + Sawchuck Brown Associates (2008), Strata-G Communications (2012), Middleton & Gendron (2014), and HB Agency Boston (2015).
2018: Strategic rebrand from Eric Mower + Associates to Mower, marking Eric Mower's 50 years with the company.
2022: Mower became a 100% employee-owned ESOP.
2023: Eric Mower appointed Stephanie Crockett as President & CEO. Mower became Executive Chairman.
2024: Won 26 awards across creative and PR categories. Achieved WBENC certification.
Services
Mower delivers an integrated platform spanning strategic planning, brand development and identity, public relations and public affairs, advertising and creative, search engine marketing (SEM and SEO), video, social media, content, digital marketing, and fully integrated campaigns. The firm's positioning emphasizes data-driven marketing combined with breakthrough creative and sophisticated PR/public affairs programs.
Practice Areas
Mower's practice areas span B2B, healthcare, hospitality and travel, financial services, energy and utilities, consumer brands, education, and nonprofit. The firm operates dedicated public relations and public affairs capability under Trish Nugent (SVP, Head of Public Relations & Public Affairs, based in NYC). Mower is an active member of the International Network of Independent Agencies (IN), a network of 75 marketing agencies in 72 countries and 115 cities.
Representative Clients
Mower's client roster includes National Grid, FirstEnergy, Avangrid, LG, Turning Stone Resort Casino, Crouse Health, FedEx, Bausch & Lomb, Carhartt, Siemens, and Northwest Bank. The firm led work for The Arthritis Foundation's 2023 "We Journey Together" awareness campaign, shortlisted for the PR Daily 2024 Nonprofit Communications Award. The firm's clients span B2B technology, healthcare, hospitality, energy, financial services, and consumer brands.
Leadership
Stephanie Crockett serves as President & CEO (appointed 2023). Eric Mower is Executive Chairman, leading the board of directors. The senior leadership team includes Trish Nugent (SVP, Head of Public Relations & Public Affairs, NYC), Ashley Montanaro (SVP, Client Leadership, Syracuse), Erinn Steffen (EVP, Operations, Buffalo), and Peter Wiezalis (VP, Growth Strategy, Syracuse). The leadership team is majority women.
Awards and Recognition
Mower was named to PRNews' Agency Elite Top 125 ranking three consecutive years (2023-2025). The firm has received WBENC certification as a women-owned business. Most recently, Mower's media relations campaign for The Arthritis Foundation was shortlisted for the PR Daily 2024 Nonprofit Communications Award.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered Mower since the firm's earlier Eric Mower + Associates era. For the full archive, see everything-pr.com/tag/mower.
FAQ
Is Mower independent?
Yes. Mower is independent and is 100% employee owned through an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) established in 2022. The firm has been independent throughout its 58-year history.
Who owns Mower?
Mower is 100% employee owned (ESOP since 2022). Eric Mower, who bought 100% of the agency in 1980, serves as Executive Chairman. Stephanie Crockett serves as President & CEO.
What industries does Mower specialize in?
B2B, healthcare, hospitality and travel, financial services, energy and utilities, consumer brands, education, and nonprofit. The firm offers integrated marketing, advertising, public relations, and public affairs across all sectors.
Who is the CEO of Mower?
Stephanie Crockett serves as President & CEO. She was appointed in 2023 by Executive Chairman Eric Mower and brings 25 years of experience in marketing and communications. She has led work for major clients including National Grid, FirstEnergy, Avangrid, LG, Turning Stone Resort Casino, Crouse Health, FedEx, Bausch & Lomb, Carhartt, and Siemens.
How large is Mower?
Mower operates with 140-200 employees across nine US cities: Syracuse NY, New York City, Buffalo NY, Albany NY, Rochester NY, Cincinnati OH, Atlanta GA, Boston MA, and Charlotte NC. The firm is one of the largest privately held full-service integrated agencies in the US.
What makes Mower different from competitors?
Mower is one of a small number of US agencies operating as a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) integrated firm — combining marketing, advertising, public relations, and public affairs under independent ownership. The 2022 ESOP transition is one of the more consequential employee-ownership conversions in the agency industry. The firm's five-decade operating history, majority-women leadership team under CEO Stephanie Crockett, and national independent footprint across nine US cities distinguish it from both holding-company peers and smaller boutique independents.
What is Mower's ESOP?
In 2022, Mower became an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) — making the firm 100% employee owned. The ESOP transition made the firm's "Act Like an Owner" value a structural reality and joined Mower with a small group of US agencies that are entirely employee owned.
Key Takeaways
- Mower was founded in 1968 in Syracuse, NY. Eric Mower bought 100% of the agency in 1980 and continues as Executive Chairman.
- In 2022, the firm became a 100% employee-owned ESOP — one of a small number of US agencies with that structure.
- In 2023, Eric Mower appointed Stephanie Crockett as President & CEO. Mower's leadership team is majority women.
- The firm rebranded from Eric Mower + Associates to Mower in 2018, marking Eric Mower's 50 years with the company.
- 140-200 employees across nine US cities: Syracuse, New York City, Buffalo, Albany, Rochester, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Boston, and Charlotte.
- Representative clients: National Grid, FirstEnergy, Avangrid, LG, Turning Stone Resort Casino, Crouse Health, FedEx, Bausch & Lomb, Carhartt, Siemens, Northwest Bank, Arthritis Foundation.
- Named to PRNews' Agency Elite Top 125 three consecutive years (2023-2025); WBENC certified.
