Walker Sands, a marketing agency focused on accelerating the growth of B2B brands, was recognized this month on the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies list for its sustained growth throughout 2019, as well as on the Crain’s 2020 Best Places to Work in Chicago list for its strong company culture and values.
Walker Sands was recognized as No. 2733 on the annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. This recognition puts Walker Sands alongside companies such as Microsoft, Vizio, Intuit and Oracle that have also made the list eight times. Walker Sands’ continued emphasis on producing impactful work and building strategic partnerships, led the agency to accelerated growth and expansion in 2019 and prepared it to weather the storm of 2020.
Additionally, the company ranked 49th overall on the Crain’s 2020 Best Places to Work in Chicago list, and 6th on the Midsize Companies sublist. This survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the 100 best companies to work for in Chicago. With a continued focus on company culture that aligns with its core values of “Learn, Support, Do,” Walker Sands was able to thrive in 2019 while keeping culture at its center. It was selected for this list three years in a row because of its strong company culture and employees’ reciprocated support for the organization.
“Walker Sands’ vision has always been to grow and expand while keeping company culture at our core,” said Mike Santoro, president at Walker Sands. “Amid a challenging year, these two recognitions are a reminder of the great work employees accomplish every day. It’s in these times that having our time-tested value set of ‘Learn, Support, Do’ helps us to band together and continue moving forward.”
In 2019, Walker Sands grew revenue by 34%, underwent a company rebrand, surpassed 125 employees, expanded its Chicago office space and made plans for a new Seattle office to accommodate growing its West Coast presence. Walker Sands also elevated a number of senior employees to vice president roles that are focused on company culture and strategic growth. Walker Sands has also released the B2B Communications Marketing Playbook 2020, a customizable tool for B2B companies looking for guidance on navigating the communications challenges of 2020, a testament to the company’s commitment to continually build a strong foundation of industry expertise.
