Karsh Hagan and Madden Media launch KHM creative agency

Karsh Hagan and Madden Media have объединed into KHM, a new agency in Denver built around trust, community-driven storytelling and local insight. The move positions the combined shop to serve brands, destinations and organizations across tourism, health, education, nonprofits, consumer and technology markets.

Why it matters: - KHM is positioning itself against what the agency calls an industry trust crisis, shifting the focus from buying attention to earning belief. - The combined agency is built to serve brands, places and communities with work grounded in local truth and shared humanity. - KHM is moving into health, education, nonprofits, consumer brands, business and technology, broadening beyond its tourism roots.

What happened: - Karsh Hagan and Madden Media launched a new creative agency called KHM in Denver on July 8, 2026. - The agency combines storytelling, media, technology, public relations and experiential services under one roof. - KHM says it launched with a full-service team of more than 300 specialists across the country. - The agency begins work immediately under the KHM brand.

The details: - Dan Janes, CEO, said the agency was built for a market where buying impressions is losing power and belief matters more. - Brett Gordon, President, said the merged agency is organized around community-driven storytelling so the work reflects the people who live it every day. - Kathy Hagan, Co-CEO, said strong work starts with understanding people, whether the client is a destination, university, healthcare system or global brand. - KHM says both legacy firms had deep roots in tourism and community-driven marketing. - The agency says its scale lets it think big while still delivering local insight. - The agency will support clients in how brands, places and communities are seen and experienced.

Between the lines: - KHM is making a clear bet that trust and relevance will matter more than reach and frequency in the next phase of marketing. - The merger also signals a push to combine national resources with neighborhood-level credibility, a mix many brands are chasing as audiences tune out broad messaging. - The leadership changes suggest KHM wants to tighten execution around growth, media and creative while keeping strategy centered on consumer trust.

What's next: - Lauren Corna, Brianna Francis and Jake Sillavan have been promoted to senior vice president and will each lead a portfolio of premier accounts. - Camille Ziccardi has been named SVP of Growth & Strategy to unify the agency vision and prepare clients for a post-attention world. - Melissa Pert will lead integrated media, Jeff Martin will serve as chief creative officer and Sarah Hupp Foster will lead Allied Services. - KHM directs readers to learn more at the agency website. - KHM also shared social channels on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

The bottom line: - KHM is trying to turn a merger into a message: in a skeptical market, trust is the product and community credibility is the strategy.