Shaker Recruitment Marketing Company Profile

Background

Founded in 1951, Shaker Recruitment Marketing is a full-service recruitment marketing agency headquartered in Oak Park, Illinois. The company specializes in developing customized solutions to attract and retain top talent, offering services such as employer branding, creative development, and digital experiences. With over 70 years in the industry, Shaker emphasizes a familial business model built on trust, passion, and a commitment to client success.

Key Strategic Focus

Shaker's strategic focus encompasses four primary areas:

Branding: Crafting authentic employer brands that resonate with target audiences.

Talent Attraction: Utilizing diverse channels to source, engage, and convert suitable candidates.

Martech: Integrating marketing and HR technologies to enhance recruitment strategies.

Analytics: Providing data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions.

The company collaborates with a vast network of media and HR tech partners to deliver tailored recruitment marketing strategies that address both local and global needs.

Financials and Funding

As of April 2025, Shaker Recruitment Marketing reported an estimated annual revenue of $67.7 million, with approximately 246 employees. The company has experienced a 5% growth in employee count over the past year. In November 2021, Shaker secured $2 million in seed financing to support its growth initiatives.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Shaker leverages a comprehensive tech stack to enhance its recruitment marketing services, including:

Amazon Web Services (AWS): For scalable cloud hosting solutions.

Salesforce CRM: To manage client relationships and data effectively.

Tableau: For advanced data visualization and analytics.

Microsoft Teams: Facilitating team collaboration and communication.

These technologies enable Shaker to deliver data-driven, innovative solutions to its clients.

Leadership Team

Shaker's leadership comprises experienced professionals dedicated to advancing the company's mission:

Joe Shaker Jr.: President

Derek Briggs: Chief Operating Officer

Ellen Paige: Chief Revenue Officer

John Graham Jr.: Vice President, Employer Brand Strategy & DEI

Amanda Shaker: Vice President, Creative

Megan Tracy: Vice President, Global Partnerships

Peter Carr: Vice President, Client Services

Jimmy McCourt: Vice President, Client Services

Rachel Morgan: Vice President, Client Services

Christina Pickle: Vice President, Client Services

Chris Cicmanec: Vice President, Analytics

Sara Elkins: Vice President, Digital

Gina Alioto: Vice President, Marketing

Kim Harrell: Vice President, Business Development

Lia Mancini: Vice President, Programmatic

Karen Grotto: Executive Creative Director

Shavon Banket: Senior Director, Strategic Content

Ron Cloud: Vice President, Finance

Elizabeth Newhart: Vice President, Talent

Jeremy Breit: Director, Web Development & Solutions

Miguel Chavez: Director, IT

This team brings a unique blend of knowledge and experience, with many members having worked together for decades.

Leadership Changes

In March 2021, Shaker appointed John Graham Jr. as Vice President of Employer Brand Strategy & DEI, reflecting the company's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics: The recruitment marketing industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing need for organizations to attract and retain top talent in a competitive labor market.

Competitor Analysis:

Hodes: Founded in 1970, Hodes is a recruitment marketing agency headquartered in London, England. It offers services similar to Shaker, including employer branding and digital experiences. Hodes generates approximately 40% of Shaker's revenue.

NAS Recruitment Innovation: Established in 1947 and based in Independence, Ohio, NAS provides recruitment marketing services with a focus on technology-driven solutions. The company has about 50 fewer employees than Shaker.

KRT Marketing: Acquired by Recruitics, KRT Marketing specializes in recruitment marketing strategies, offering services that overlap with Shaker's offerings.

Radancy: A global talent technology leader, Radancy provides unified platforms for recruitment marketing, posing significant competition to Shaker.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Shaker has established strategic partnerships with leading media and HR tech companies to enhance its service offerings. Notable collaborations include:

Dalia: In September 2024, Shaker partnered with Dalia to integrate advanced conversion optimization solutions into its talent attraction services, aiming to accelerate hiring processes and boost ROI for clients.

Paradox: A collaboration focusing on leveraging AI-driven solutions to streamline recruitment processes.

Phenom: Partnering to enhance candidate experiences through personalized engagement strategies.

Appcast, Inc.: Working together to optimize job advertising and improve recruitment outcomes.

These partnerships enable Shaker to offer innovative and effective recruitment marketing solutions to its clients.

Operational Insights

Shaker's commitment to innovation and client-centric solutions positions it competitively within the recruitment marketing industry. The company's extensive experience, combined with strategic partnerships and a robust technological infrastructure, provides distinct advantages over competitors.