Mover & shaker: Jodi Grundyson, Knock

JODI GRUNDYSON, KNOCK

Title: Chief strategy officer

Age: 44

What's new: Jodi Grundyson, promoted to the new role of chief strategy officer at Minneapolis creative agency Knock, is overseeing brand strategy to help drive growth for clients and the firm.

Need to know: Grundyson, formerly vice president of brand strategy at Knock, also plays a leading role in pursuing new business and helps guide the agency's account management teams.

"I'm always talking to my teams about thinking strategically," Grundyson said. "In this role, it's also making sure we're paying attention to Knock's growth strategically as well. ... But cultivating client relationships also is really critical, so that's also on my plate."

Grundyson joined Knock a decade ago. She has more than 18 years of experience in the retail, advertising and marketing industries, with clients such as Adidas America, Hanes, Playtex, Avon and Target Corp. She previously worked in leadership positions at creative agencies KraftWorks and Kilter and at Adidas America.

Knock, founded in 2001, is an independent branding, advertising and design agency specializing in retail and consumer goods. The agency works with Fortune 500 companies and start-ups, and aims to expand its international business.

Q: What do you hope to gain from the international master's program?

A: I'm excited about learning different management skills and perspectives and applying them to our business. That will help my mentoring and management skills, to be very effective and efficient and give clear direction. It will be an amazing ­perspective culturally as we continue to grow our global initiatives.

Q: What's your message to prospective clients as you help the agency pursue new business?

A: We are very design-minded and focused brand developers. We always look for ways to collaborate with our clients closely, understand their business objectives and make sure that we are answering those objectives in really smart and fresh ways.