Notable BIPOC Executives: David Bowles
Class of 2023
(BizTimes) – February 22, 2023
After leading CMRignite’s company-wide strategy, planning and business development, David Bowles became president in 2021. Since then, his leadership and skills have helped position the Milwaukee-based company as an industry leader, colleagues say.
Founded in 1995, CMRignite is Wisconsin’s oldest and largest minority-owned communications agency. It specializes in developing “cause and behavior change” marketing campaigns for Fortune 500 companies.
“Since guiding the agency through its exponential growth during COVID-19 and leading its acquisition of a D.C.-based marketing firm, David has remained laser-focused on client and talent acquisition,” said Nepherterra Best, vice president of integrated communications at CMRignite.
“The agency has grown from a staff of 10 to nearly 70 full-time employees, yet David has never lost site of the company’s mission to embrace diversity and drive positive behavior change,” said Best.
Seventy percent of CMRignite’s staff are Black, Indigenous and people of color, LGBTQ+ and/or people with disabilities. With a three-year growth rate of 709%, the firm recently earned a spot on the Inc. 5,000 list of fastest growing private U.S. companies.
- Category: Notable BIPOC Executives
- Number of years working in your current industry: 12
- Undergrad degree/university: Columbia University (NYC), Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Economics
About CMRignite
Founded in 1995, CMRignite is a full-service, strategic communications agency that specializes in developing cause and behavior change marketing for Fortune 500 companies, major nonprofits and government agencies. The agency's mission is to develop innovative, cross-cultural marketing campaigns that lead to real, positive change. With a team of 60 employees, 70% of whom are BIPOC, CMRignite's client roster includes the City of Milwaukee Health Department, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the CDC, SAMHSA, NIH and several others. Recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in the country, the agency is Wisconsin's leading multicultural marketing agency. In addition, the company is a certified Minority Business Enterprise and Woman-Owned Business. For more information, please visit cmrignite.com or call (414) 247-9898.