WHO WE ARE
Our people make us different and that matters for your work.
We were founded on providing top-quality creative and strategic marketing solutions, but we’ve succeeded because we’ve never lost sight of what’s most important: our clients’ wins.
Our Mentality
We stand out through the pillars we stand on.
We live to solve problems. And there’s no better way to do that than through collaboration. That’s why we believe in building partnerships that stand the test of time. Here’s why that matters for your actual work.
We get you more.
Over the course of a partnership, we build genuine relationships with stakeholders and gain an expert-level knowledge of a client’s business.
We give you more.
Relying on a deep understanding of our clients, as well as our close relationships, we’re able to deliver what’s asked for and always offer more.
We’re in it for the long haul.

Our ongoing relationships are all about trust. We provide open-door access to leadership, serve as stewards of your budget and deliver short-term wins while growing to the long-term vision.

We can make
fast, easy.
Using established working knowledge and our own expertise, as well as proven methods of working together, helps us create momentum quickly in fast-paced industries.
We can make
complicated, simple.
Our experience with highly matrixed organizations and distribution systems means we’re well-equipped to work with complex brands and companies.
Our Team
“It’s the people.”
That’s been a feedback theme for Simantel through the years, whether from clients, vendors or our own employees. We’re proud of the mosaic we create together: the yins and yangs, the left and right brains. A “Simantelite” isn’t one personality or style — it’s more of an ‘and’ thing. And we all love coming together to do the work.
Misty Klobucher
Principal
Tim Leesman
President
Abby Bell
Vice President of Performance Analytics
Erin Bowald
Vice President of Client Services
Lori Johnson
Vice President of Delivery & Transformation
Jillian Light
Chief Operations Officer
Chris Moehn
Vice President of Creative
Chrissie Niedens
Chief Financial Officer
See More Simantelites
OUR HISTORY

From then(ish) to now.

Okay, we don’t know our exact start date officially, but here’s something we do know (officially): 40-plus years ago Jim Simantel saw an opportunity to do something great, and ever since we’ve been living up to that standard.

The '80s

Jim Simantel has it with long office days in the Chicago ad industry and relocates to Peoria, setting up an all-designer agency to deliver high-level quality and service to the area. 

The '90s

Maybe Jim bought the building at 321 Water Street because of office changes and a boom in staff … Or maybe he wanted to drive his boat to work. Either way, it’s been home ever since.

The '00s

Jim passes ownership to two of his first employees, Kevin McConaghy and Susie Ketterer, who also welcome creative powerhouse Maggie Whalen-Misselhorn to ownership in 2009.

The '10s

With a staff of about 60, a new era begins as Kevin and Susie’s retirement paves the way for Maggie to welcome 20-year Simantel veterans Tim Leesman and Misty Klobucher to take their place alongside her.

The '20s

In honor of our hazy inception date, we celebrated a 40(ish) anniversary by expanding our office space in 2022. Today, at 160+ employees, with remotes in 23 states, instead of expanding, we just had to get more — we now also occupy the Maxam Building, a short walk from Water Street. 

OUR NETWORK
That’s right. Both local and global connections.
Simantel is a proud member of the Advertising and Marketing Independent Network (AMIN), a network of 50+ member agencies from around the world. Our involvement with AMIN lets us bring more value to our clients by gaining quick and actionable intelligence across industries, geographies and service lines.
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