The Story of HC
“I always say ‘Leave nothing to chance.’ When I hired, and ultimately sold the business to Heather, I knew chance had nothing to do with it.”
If HCK2 doesn’t sound familiar to you, its predecessor may – Michael & Partners. Founded in 1998 by advertising industry maven George Michael, this full-service, integrated marketing communications firm made an immediate impact on the North Texas landscape and was quickly – and consistently – listed on the Dallas Business Journal’s Top 10 “largest PR firms.”
In 2003, Michael considered selling the agency. He was a little wiser, a little older and a little more prepared to pursue additional interests. His executive search went no further than his very first employee and current agency president, Heather Capps (the brilliantly-dubbed “HC” of the company).
“The day she began working for me, I knew she would be here for the long haul,” said Michael of his star protégé. “Asking her to buy the business and make it her own was the natural progression for Heather’s career, and I couldn’t have been more pleased with the end result.
That was an understandable step for Capps who has held every title from account executive to creative director to CFO to president in her 11 years with the firm.
“I can honestly say, ‘Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt’ when it comes to this business,” added Capps. “After learning all that I have from George, his offer to buy the company was a humbling experience, and a bit redeeming. I was ready and eager to get started making my own footprint in the industry as an owner and entrepreneur.”
Michael is no stranger to selling a company. In 1997, he sold MBRK Advertising and Public Relations, which is now a part of the Publicis brand. As “Retirement, The Sequel” dawned in 2003, Michael was eager to make this another smooth transition, this time with Capps before he rode off into the sunset… again.
“I knew I could not maintain the quality of service George had created and be responsible for overseeing the company’s finances and full-service creative and interactive offerings,” Capps continued. “I needed someone who shared our philosophy of superior client service and short- and long-term results to lead the public relations side of the business.”
