Agency marks 20 years; founder retires

DOWNERS GROVE - Event and communication agency One Smooth Stone is marking its 20th anniversary by announcing a leadership transition and launching its new visual brand identify.

After founding and leading the agency for the past 20 years, Kevin Olsen has will retire from One Smooth Stone. Mark Ledogar, the agency's senior vice president, will become president on Jan. 1, 2016.

The company achieved many milestones since partners Kevin Olsen and Gary Vlk started in 1995. The agency has clients in 34 countries, including New Zealand, Russia, Brazil, Uganda and Greece. One Smooth Stone advises global clients such as A.T. Kearney, Gartner, McDonald's, United Airlines, Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals and U.S. Cellular.

The agency's commitment to serving a world in need has been realized through the donation of more than $1.3 million of the company's profits to benefit hundreds of organizations around the world.

"It's been an amazing journey," said Olsen. "We have been blessed with enduring clients, staff and strategic partner relationships. Although much has changed since 1995, our culture still reflects the values upon which our agency was built. We're thankful, humbled and excited about this milestone and look forward to our future."