Rick Duffy

Creative Alliance Inc., No. 1 on the list for the past decade, had a record year in 2008 for both gross income and net income, said Rick Duffy, the firm's chief operating officer.

Gross income rose 12 percent to $21.37 million from $18.86 million.

Duffy said Creative's core client list including Yum Brands Inc. and Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's Healthcare Inc., contributed to a record 2008.

With two new clients, Hancock Fabrics and Longhorn Steakhouse, the firm is on track for gross income to be up substantially in 2009, though he predicted that net income will be flat.

Rick Duffy of Creative Alliance is shown in front of his childhood home in Clarksville, Ind.
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About a year a ago, Rick Duffy sat down one Saturday morning to make some notes for a letter/memoir to his granddaughter Jayne, then 4, knowing she'd outgrow memories of her great grandmother.

Rick Duffy
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Rick Duffy

Retail isn't something Rick Duffy merely knows.It's something he's lived.In fact, Rick brings over twenty years of experience in the multi-unit retail business.From commodity procurement for Pillsbury's Burger King Unit to being a member of the senior worldwide management team at KFC, to actually owning and operating twenty-five quick service restaurants, Rick is considered one of the industry's most knowledgeable experts in retail marketing.

By the agency, Rick is considered tough but fair and as straightforward as they come.He's also a decidedly strong point-counterpoint to CEO Debbie Scoppechio.

Originally trained as an economist (M.S. in Economics at Purdue), Rick is also the guiding force for CA's information, technology, accounting, banking and finance operations.During his eighteen years at the agency, Rick's spearheaded the development and execution of CA's unique proprietary retail systems.From Internet-based applications for our print and P.O.P. clients to tracking software that helps our media buyers eliminate waste and generate targeted print buys, Rick has kept CA in the forefront of innovation.

Aside from retail, Rick's other great passion is golf.He claims he's no good at it.

Rick DuffyPresident and Chief Operating Officer

Over the past ten years, Rick has been involved with nearly every client at Creative Alliance.Our Public Relations/Public Affairs, January & Associates and The January Group business units report directly to Rick.In addition, he has responsibility for agency operations (Accounting, Traffic, Production and Information Systems).Finally, Rick is heavily involved in the development of our interactive business and has successfully supervised the development of websites for such clients as Brown-Forman and Churchill Downs.

Rick has an extensive background in the food-service industry as a franchise owner, corporate executive and as an agency representative with clients such as KFC, Tumbleweed Grill & Bar and Wendy's.