Pat Finken - City Magazine

you’re not familiar with the North Dakota “Legendary” slogan seen
Ift on television, billboards and in print, you must be living under a rock.
Behind that ubiquitous campaign and dozens of others is Pat Finken and
the Odney advertising agency, founded in Bismarck in 1985 by Jim Odney.
Finken, who began his media career in Minot, joined Odney in 1990
and, as partner in charge of account management, helped grow it into one
of the largest firms in the region. In 1995, two years after Jim Odney left
Bismarck to establish a Minneapolis branch, the partners made the decision
to split Odney into two separate companies.
With the vision of creating a full-service communications consulting
company, Finken systematically acquired a graphic design firm, a market
research company and a company specializing in website development and
online marketing. Public relations and social media divisions were added
along the way, bringing the employee roster to about 50.
Today, the Bismarck-based company operates branch offices in Fargo,
Minot and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and bills about $15 million annually. “The
thing I’m most proud of is not the growth itself, but what it’s allowed us to
do in terms of bringing in a level of expertise,” Finken said.
“I’m one of the most blessed persons I know,” said the 54-year-old
Finken of his storied road to success. But if you think the ad agency life is
anywhere near as glamorous as it’s depicted in novels and movies, Finken
will be the first to set you straight. “A lot of work goes into it—it’s still 1
percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.”
cm:
What do you find fascinating about politics?
Pat Finken: Even though it’s fashionable for people to look down on
politicians, I have always considered it, no matter what your party affiliation
or political beliefs, an honor to serve and feel we should appreciate, even
if we disagree with them, those who are willing to step into the arena.
Especially here in North Dakota, where politics is not a “get rich quick”
scheme—it’s still old-fashioned populist politics. These are people who really
care and are looking at trying to make life better for the rest of us. I grew up
in a family where we would have discussions about the issues of the day.
cm:
Who has had the greatest influence on your life?
Pat Finken: Number one is my dad. He’s still alive at 89. He’s the
kindest, gentlest, most compassionate guy I’ve ever known. If I ever had the
chance to bet on whether someone would go to heaven or not, he would
be the guy. My dad is one of those salt-of-the-earth guys that we should all
grow up to be.
The second most important influence, and it has more to do with my
career, is Chet Reiten. I learned just about everything I know about this
business from him. He took a chance on a 25-year-old kid when he asked
me to manage his new FM Top 40 station. Of course who better to learn
from than the man who built a multi-million dollar broadcasting company
from the ground up beginning with a $1,900 investment.
Pat Finken
Title: President,
Odney
DOB: March 17, 1957
(St. Patrick’s Day),
Douglas, N.D.
High School: Bishop
Ryan High School,
Class of 1975
College: Minot
State University,
broadcasting/mass
communication
Family: Wife, Lori,
married 31 years;
daughter, Erin, 27;
son, Alex, 25
Hobbies: golf, politics
Latest leadership
position: U.S.
Chamber Board of
Directors
Favorite quote:
“It isn’t creative
unless it sells.”
–David Ogilvy
What would people be
surprised to learn about
you? “Up until my
freshman year in
college, I planned to
be a priest.”
What are you most proud
of? “We have nice
kids—they grew up
to be nice people.”
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