BrandMaverick, a St. Louis-based brand and communications strategy firm, announced today that it has launched Cohesion, a separate marketing and advertising agency, according to Brian Creath, managing principal of both companies.

"From a strategic standpoint, we have always provided a solid method for a company to develop a more consistent story," said Creath, whose six-year-old BrandMaverick represents Fortune 1000 companies and mid-size organizations nationwide. "With the launch of Cohesion, we can now fully tell and deliver those stories in all traditional and non-traditional communications mediums."

Cohesion was created for the company that seeks a more unified, singular approach to all of its communications needs, according to Creath. He said the agency is built primarily, but not exclusively, for senior managers of mid-sized organizations, who, because of the size of their organization, must take a more active role in marketing and sales activities.

"Our tremendous range of business and marketing experience, coupled with our goal of staying 'boutique-sized,' allows for hands-on relationships at the highest level of a company," said Creath. "Our intent is to help an organization grow by building and managing all aspects of its story of purpose."

Creath is no stranger to the agency business. In 1989, he co-founded CreathJacobsen Advertising in St. Louis, an agency known best for its strong creative product, particularly the work it developed for Volvo in 1993-95. With Creath as the agency's creative director, CreathJacobsen won the 'Best of Show' award at the St. Louis ADDY Awards in 1994, and won many regional, national and international awards during its five years.

"Years after the Volvo campaign ended, people would still remember one or more of headlines from the transit and billboard advertising we developed," he says. Creath eventually sold his interest in CreathJacobsen during the mid 1990's, and started BrandMaverick in 1999.

According to Creath, the Cohesion name was selected to represent the idea that with the right story in place, a company can effectively drive all communications – marketing, sales, advertising, customer service, HR, etc. -- regardless of the medium. "Companies have become so focused on the medium that the message is being neglected," says Creath. "I don’t care how finely tuned your web strategy is, or what metrics you’re using to track direct response, if your message -- the story of your business -- isn't relevant and interesting, then your entire effort is less successful than it could be."

"We have this lofty notion that people can actually be entertained while they are sold things, and, when the message is right, that these same people might even be able to learn something important along the way."

Creath said he has assumed the role of creative director for Cohesion, and that the agency is already working with a number of clients on marketing and advertising efforts. The new agency is being currently housed in BrandMaverick’s current offices at 10 South Brentwood. Cohesion’s phone number is (314) 783-4900, and its web address is www.cohesionagency.com