Croud Appoints Steve King as New Chair to Drive Growth and Innovation
Company - People | Jun 04, 2025 | ECI Partners
Croud, a digital-first marketing firm, announced the appointment of Steve King as its new Chair of the Board. King, a veteran with over 20 years of experience and a background in global leadership founded Zenith in the UK and US and was instrumental in Publicis Groupe's major developments. This leadership change marks a new phase for Croud as it integrates innovative AI-powered platforms and tools to enhance its market-leading status at a critical junction. The appointment follows significant expansions and investments, supported by ECI Partners. Former Chair Jerry Buhlmann will remain as an advisor, after a pivotal role in Croud’s growth, which included acquiring several companies and a notable investment by ECI last year. The company aims to deepen client partnerships and lead in data-driven marketing through strategic leadership appointments and leveraging its proprietary systems like Croud OS.
Sectors
- Digital Marketing
- Private Equity
Geography
- United Kingdom – Croud is a UK-based company with global operations and significant leadership changes headquartered in the UK, affecting its market presence.
- United States – Croud expanded its geographical reach with multiple acquisitions in the US, indicating a critical market for their growth strategy.
Industry
- Digital Marketing – Croud operates in the Digital Marketing space, focusing on data-driven marketing solutions. The appointment of a new Chair signals a strategic focus on growth and innovation within this industry.
- Private Equity – The involvement of ECI Partners, a private equity firm, in Croud's growth strategy highlights the importance of private equity in facilitating business expansion and leadership transitions.
Financials
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croud | Company undergoing leadership change | Companies | Croud is a digital-first marketing company focusing on data-driven results, undergoing strategic leadership change and technological enhancement. |
| Steve King | New Chair of the Board | People | Steve King is an experienced leader with a significant global leadership background, appointed as the new Chair of Croud. |
| Jerry Buhlmann | Outgoing Chair and Special Advisor | People | Jerry Buhlmann, a veteran in advertising, has been instrumental in Croud's growth and will continue as a special advisor. |
| ECI Partners | Private Equity Investor | Companies | A private equity firm that invested in Croud, supporting its growth and strategic objectives. |