From a hope and a prayer to a decade of impact
This October, JPW Communications celebrates 10 years of helping government agencies connect with their communities through clear, creative and impactful communication. What began in 2015 with “a hope and a prayer” in a spare bedroom has grown into a trusted partner for agencies across California and beyond.
Necessity is the mother of invention
“I needed creativity that worked within the realities of local government, and I never found it despite my attempts at hiring a multitude of agencies while I was an in-house PIO. Turns out, I had to create the firm I always wanted,” recalls founder and CEO Jenny Windle.
Armed with experience as a local government communicator but not a client to her name, Jenny launched JPW to fill a gap she had experienced firsthand: the need for an agency that combined originality with an insider’s understanding of public service.
“From day one, our in-house experience and our focus on strategy and design set us apart,” Jenny says. “One of our first taglines was, ‘We’ve walked a mile in your shoes.’ We know what it’s like to be at the dais. We’ve hosted squirrely public meetings. And we love the chance to rethink what’s possible to solve our clients’ problems.”
Early growth and partnerships
JPW quickly found its footing with early clients such as the cities of Lancaster, Encinitas, Carlsbad, San Marcos, Western Municipal Water District and Olivenhain Municipal Water District. By 2018, the firm invested in its creative capabilities by acquiring longtime partner Davis Communications in Lancaster, reinforcing a commitment to pairing strategy with standout design.
“From the get-go, I believed JPW was an amazing business model because local government has endless communication needs and staff is always spread so thin,” notes Leslie Spring, senior director of growth and creative strategy, who joined the company in 2017. “Jenny’s commitment to public service has been unwavering, and the viewpoint that every client and project is a chance to build trust with the public has never faltered.”
Building the team
As JPW grew, Jenny recognized the need to expand the team’s expertise. In 2019, she persuaded longtime colleague Susanne Bankhead, then with the City of Carlsbad, to join as vice president and grow the firm’s community engagement and public participation services.
“Jenny drove a hard bargain,” Susanne laughs. “But I believed in her vision and was excited by the chance to partner with so many communities to elevate their communication programs.”
Since then, Susanne has become a partner and helped shape JPW’s internal culture by introducing the concept of Deliberately Developmental Organizations, or DDO. “It’s a coaching mentality,” she explains. “Just like teams watch game tape, we reflect on our performance, even when it’s uncomfortable, so we can keep improving.”
That culture of growth expanded further in 2022 when Marissa Aymar, vice president of finance and operations, joined the team. “I worked with JPW as a consultant initially, and I would have sacrificed most of my other clients to keep JPW,” Marissa recalls. “Every day, I get to work for a company with a vision I believe in, solve problems that affect real change in communities and support our team to be their best.”
Jenny credits her leadership team with fueling JPW’s success. “Marissa, Susanne and Leslie were game-changing hires. They each bring a different set of geniuses to work every day, and their belief in this dream of mine is a true blessing.”
A full circle moment
JPW’s journey comes full circle with the Port of San Diego. The Port was Jenny’s last public-sector role before founding JPW, and today the agency is proud to partner with the Port to advance clean air, sustainability and community engagement initiatives.
Along with the Port, JPW has served more than 100 government agencies large and small – including cities, counties, special districts, ports and educational institutions – providing services that span economic development, multimedia design, branding, strategic planning, public engagement and community building.
Staying true to our values
From the beginning, Jenny’s vision was not only to deliver exceptional results for clients but also to create an agency culture that valued life outside the office. While the pace of the work is fast and the commitment to clients unwavering, JPW has always strived to make space for personal lives, growth and balance.
That dual commitment to clients and to people has guided the agency through its first decade and will continue to shape its future.
Looking ahead
“When I think of where JPW has been and where we are going, I’m confident that if we stay true to our values, we’ll continue to be the choice firm for public agencies that value high-quality communications,” Jenny says. “The road to 10 years hasn’t been straight or easy, but every curve and bump has taught us something. We learn. We improve. And we serve. Always.”
As JPW celebrates this milestone, we extend heartfelt gratitude to our clients, partners and team members who have been part of this journey. Here’s to the next decade of growth, impact and community.