by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
One of the area’s best-known public relations firms has changed names and changed hands.
Husk Jennings Galloway + Partners on E. Bay Street in the Dyal-Upchurch building has been bought by Jacksonville-based On Ideas Inc., a recently formed advertising, branding and public relations firm. On Ideas is owned by Tom Bolling and Frank Constantini. Bolling moved to Jacksonville earlier this year from Toronto while Constantini relocated from New York. Between them, the two have about 45 years of public relation and marketing experience all over the world in cities such as Toronto, Hong Kong, New York and Atlanta.
Del Galloway, an agency partner who has been with the firm for almost 12 years, said the change is good on two fronts.
“Conceptually, it’s always nice to infuse new energy,” said Galloway. “Personally, I think it’s a fantastic thing.”
Husk Jennings has been in Jacksonville for 27 years and has clients such as Nemours, Baptist Health, GE and several others. Galloway and partner President Melanie Husk will both transition into full-time roles with On Ideas while agency owner Gary Husk will concentrate on his fine arts businesses Push 2 Gallery and Bay Street Editions. Galloway said Husk has been slowly spending more time on his arts businesses over the past few years and was looking to get out of public relations without having to disband his agency.
“It’s a wonderful, happy ending for the old agency and a fantastic beginning for the new agency,” said Galloway, adding that On Ideas plans to add about 10 people to its staff within the next month to six weeks.
Galloway said neither Bolling nor Constantini came to Jacksonville with the specific purpose of purchasing an advertising or public relations firm.
“Each had family here or another reason to come to Jacksonville,” said Galloway. “When they got here, they began to explore their options.”
Melanie Husk said she believes the change will be beneficial to everyone.
“This is an exciting combination of strengths,” said Melanie Husk. “Our firms’ complimentary philosophies, management styles and capabilities will bring even more value to our clients. Gary, Del and I feel this is a win-win-win, benefiting our clients, our employees and the community.”
Bolling was a founding partner of Wolf Group, an advertising and branding agency that he helped grow from two offices to a firm with offices in Toronto, Buffalo, New York, Rochester, Atlanta, Chicago and Cleveland. Before moving to Jacksonville, Bolling was a partner in Real, a Toronto-based advertising agency. Bolling’s career includes clients such as Fisher-Price Toys, Uniroyal, IBM and Kodak.
Constantini came to Jacksonville after a 14-year stint with J. Walter Thompson, one of the world’s largest advertising agencies. At JWT, Constantini was the No. 2 creative person for the agency’s United States office. Constantini has represented Burger King, Hallmark, Lincoln Mercury, Sony and many others over the years.
“Gary and Melanie Husk have built an agency with wonderful character and ethos. They, along with partner Del Galloway, have greatly influenced the advertising and public relations industries in Jacksonville,” said Bolling. “The agency’s reputation is sterling, and On Ideas is very proud to have the opportunity to build upon its legacy. We look forward to producing great advertising, sustaining strong client relationships and creating a national agency brand.”