APCO Worldwide Launches Strategic Partnership with Erie Street, Taps Graunke as Lead Board Director

Washington – February 25, 2020: APCO Worldwide and Erie Street launched a strategic partnership to support continued expansion of APCO’s strategic advisory offering and geographical footprint, Margery Kraus, founder and executive chairman, announced today.

In addition to the strategic partnership, Terry Graunke, chairman and CEO of Erie Street, was appointed as lead director of APCO’s Board of Directors.

“Disruption is the new normal in business; thriving amidst the chaos requires a unique diversity in thinking and understanding, as well as depth of experience and global reach,” said Kraus. “Terry and his team at Erie Street have a proven track record of transforming businesses by spotting market disruptions and identifying outstanding talent. The strategic partnership and appointment of Terry as lead director of APCO’s board will help us to identify opportunities for acquisitions and continued growth in the advisory and communications market.”

Erie Street is a Chicago-based, independent advisory firm, leveraging its operational heritage and entrepreneurial spirit to achieve next-level growth for client partners. It offers a range of corporate advisory and go-to-market strategy services to mitigate risk, realize potential and deliver exceptional value for clients in highly disruptive and constantly changing business environments.

“APCO has a history of staying ahead of trends and redefining business norms to help clients thrive amidst forces of change,” said Graunke. “We see an incredible opportunity to lean into that first-mover heritage to create a path forward and drive future growth for the firm, as well as redefine the future of the industry.”

The strategic partnership between APCO and Erie Street follows APCO’s recent acquisition of The Tembo Group, a leading social impact advisory firm based in New York. As one of the first agencies to have a Sustainable Growth & Corporate Purpose practice, APCO has helped clients for more than 35 years develop and execute best-in-class philanthropic and corporate responsibility programs that manage social and environmental opportunities and risks and create value for society.

APCO’s strategic partnership with Erie Street comes during an exciting time for the firm, which recently celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding. Established by Kraus as a one-woman operation in 1984, APCO has grown to a global advisory and advocacy communications consultancy with offices in more than 30 markets and experience working in more than 80 markets globally, providing in-depth advice, perceptive guidance and creative approaches for its clients.