60 Years In: Grateful for the Journey. Ready for What’s Next.

A note from Mike Hart, CEO

As the year winds down, there’s a particular kind of quiet that settles in. Calendars soften. Teams take a breath. It’s palpable. The mix of reflection and readiness that only comes at this pivotal time of year. For me, that feeling is especially meaningful. This year, Hart marked 60 years of doing what I believe great brands are meant to do: move people. 

Not just to buy.
Not just to click.
But to care.

To shift audiences from apathy to advocacy with work that’s equal strategic, creative and measurable parts.

Midwest Made. Universally Driven. 

From the very beginning, my dad, Tom Hart, rolled up his sleeves and got down to business. He set out to make a difference, proudly crafting real work with real purpose to make a lasting impact on the lives of clients and communities. That was his way, and now it’s mine.

He had a line he came back to often: The easiest way to lose success is to believe you are successful. It was his reminder to stay humble, stay hungry and never confuse a good year with a finish line. That mindset has shaped this agency more than any single campaign ever could.

Hart may have been born in the Midwest, but the values that shape us – grit, honesty, follow through – resonate far beyond one region. It’s a way of working defined by practicality, humility and resilience, and a commitment to doing things the right way, not the flashy way.

We’ve never been interested in noise for noise’s sake. We’ve been interested in building brands that earn trust, prove value and show up consistently, even when the market is uncertain or noisy. 

A big part of that is this simple fact: Hart remains an independent agency. 

That independence gives us the freedom to put clients first, invest for the long term and stay true to the values my dad started with. No holding company playbook. No pressure to chase trends at the expense of what’s right. Just the work, the relationships and the results. And none of that happens without people. 

Rooted in Gratitude. 

As we close this 60th year, I’m filled with gratitude for: 

Our clients. Thank you for trusting us with your brand, your business, your challenges and your ambition. You invite us into high-stakes moments, and we don’t take that lightly. You push us to think harder, test more, sharpen our instincts and deliver work that moves the needle. 

Our team. The talent, care, curiosity and commitment you bring every day is the reason Hart keeps growing. You’re the strategists who ask better questions, the creatives who make ideas feel human, the media and measurement minds who turn “pretty good” into “proven” and the relationship builders who keep everything connected. I’m proud of the work we do, but I’m even prouder of the people who do it. 

And my dad, Tom. His belief in real work with real purpose continues to shape how we show up. His legacy is not just a story I tell. It’s a standard I feel a responsibility to carry forward. 

Opportunities Abound. 

If the last few years have taught brands anything, it’s this: the organizations that win aren’t the ones doing the most. They’re the ones doing what matters most, with clarity, consistency and conviction. That’s what we’re built for. 

As a fully integrated brand transformation agency, Hart connects insight to strategy, strategy to story, story to activation and activation to measurement. We help brands strengthen what they stand for and help them prove it in the market – across paid, owned and earned channels. 

Our independence, our heritage and our people give us a strong foundation. And what excites me most is what we can build on it – new ideas, new partnerships, new ways to help brands move people in meaningful ways.  

So, as we close this year and celebrate six decades of rolling up our sleeves, I’m looking ahead with gratitude for where we’ve been and real optimism for where we’re going. 

Every day greater. 
Mike