Independent food and beverage advertising agency marks its 50th anniversary with a
new president at the helm

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- JT Mega has named Erin Denham as its next president, marking a new chapter in the agency's 50-year history. Denham will assume the role January 1, 2027, becoming the third president since JT Mega's founding in 1976. She succeeds Phil Lee, who has been instrumental to the agency for nearly 40 years and will transition to a strategic advisor role.

Denham joined JT Mega in 2006 and became a vice president and partner in 2021. In addition to client work, she leads agency-wide initiatives focused on business strategy, emerging technology and professional development. Over two decades, she has helped shape strategic direction, steward long-term client relationships and advance key milestones, including the agency's 50th anniversary and repeated recognition as a Minnesota Star Tribune Top Workplace. As president, Denham will guide JT Mega's future while championing the independence, deep food industry knowledge and people-first culture that have defined the agency for five decades.

"Leading JT Mega has always meant pushing thinking, staying curious and challenging ourselves to uncover what's possible," said Lee. "Erin embodies JT Mega's independent spirit and insatiable curiosity about what's next, and she understands our people, our clients and our business inside and out. The agency is uniquely positioned for continued growth and vitality under Erin's leadership, and I couldn't be more confident that our culture and values will continue to thrive for the next 50 years."

In 1976, Jay Mega launched JT Mega from his Minneapolis kitchen table. Today, the independently owned food and beverage advertising agency has more than 60 employees at its Minnetonka Boulevard headquarters. For 50 years, JT Mega has focused exclusively on food and beverage, building deep expertise and longstanding relationships with some of the industry's largest and most recognized names, including Hormel Foods, CJ Schwan's and Kraft Heinz.

"I've spent more than 20 years at JT Mega, and I've experienced firsthand what makes this agency special: the people, the passion, the relationships we've built and the trust our clients put in us," said Denham. "That's a credit to Phil and those who came before us, and I'm committed to protecting these strengths. I'm equally excited about what's ahead. Our clients are navigating an increasingly complex industry, and they need partners who understand their business, challenge their thinking and bring ideas that make a real difference. THOUGHT FOR FOOD™ is more than a tagline—it's how we think, work together and show up for the people we serve. I'm honored to help lead this team into its next chapter alongside my fellow partners, and I can't wait to see what we're capable of next."

Effective January 1, 2027, Denham will become president and managing partner, joining partners Muriel Bartelme Kreske, Ann Strong, Mike Alberts, and Anna Braun in leading the agency. Together, the partner group brings decades of experience across JT Mega, its clients and the food industry. The leadership team is excited for what's ahead and shares a commitment to preserving the agency's independence, investing in its people and delivering the high-quality work clients expect.

About JT Mega

Founded at a Minneapolis kitchen table in 1976, JT Mega is an independently owned, full-service advertising agency focused exclusively on the food and beverage industry. For 50 years, JT Mega has used its deep Food IQ to spark ideas that push thinking, uncover what's next and expand what's possible for its clients. Capabilities span go-to-market strategy, research and data insights, creative, media engagement, experiential marketing, sales enablement and culinary development, including its in-house Blue Flame Culinary Studio. Guided by its THOUGHT FOR FOOD™ philosophy, JT Mega combines a passion for food, a commitment to curiosity and a people-first culture to build lasting client partnerships. jtmega.com

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SOURCE JT Mega