Raines, Vasilos to lead CJRW
Advertising and marketing giant CJRW announced Friday (Dec. 12) it will make several changes to senior leadership. Jill Joslin announced her retirement as president. Joslin, who was agency president since 2016, was the first woman to hold the role in the company’s history.
CJRW also announced that Chairman and CEO Darin Gray will transition out of his CEO duties while continuing to be chairman of the board.
As part of the leadership transition, Mark Raines has been elevated to CEO, and Katherine Vasilos has been named president of the agency. The changes will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Joslin will remain with the agency for a few months to ensure a seamless transition.
“Leading this incredible company has been the honor of my career,” Joslin said. “I’m deeply grateful to our employees, clients and community partners for their trust and collaboration, and I leave confident in the strong foundation we’ve built together. I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve and look forward to cheering on CJRW’s continued success.”
Gray also praised Joslin for her leadership over the past decade in building a strong agency portfolio and preparing CJRW for long-term success, which includes record stock growth, increased client billings, and innovative program development.
“Leadership transitions represent moments of opportunity for organizations like CJRW,” Gray said. “As we have been working through this process over the last few months, it reinforced our belief that our greatest strength is our people. I’m confident this new leadership team will accelerate innovation, strengthen our client partnerships, and drive meaningful progress for our employees and all stakeholders.”
Raines joined CJRW in 2014 as senior vice president of client services and public relations.
“Mark brings unique qualities and experiences to the CEO role that will help us grow our business not only in Arkansas but nationally as well,” Gray said. “The perspective he brings from successful stints in broadcast news and corporate communications will be invaluable as he guides our company into the next chapter of its storied history.”
Before joining CJRW, Raines held corporate communications and government relations roles with Chesapeake Energy and BHP Billiton in Arkansas’ Fayetteville Shale. From 1999 to 2007, he served as news director at KTHV, Channel 11, in Little Rock.
“CJRW is an iconic Arkansas company, and I am honored to be selected as its next CEO,” Raines said. “Our employee-owners are a team of fearless leaders — driving bold strategies, pioneering innovative solutions, and sparking limitless creativity that shapes the future of our company and our clients. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together.”
Vasilos joined CJRW in 2016 and leads strategy for the Arkansas Tourism and Arkansas State Parks accounts. She has experience in brand management, public relations, and government relations, and brings a strategic perspective to every client initiative, according to CJRW. She also is a member of the CJRW Board of Directors and the executive leadership committee.
“Katherine has an unmatched ability to connect strategy with storytelling — building brands that stand for something and turning vision into results,” Gray said. “Together, she and Mark will form a dynamic leadership team that will serve CJRW and our clients well.”
Vasilos said this is a pivotal time in the agency’s evolution.
“I’m honored to help lead CJRW and to work alongside the most talented marketing team in the state,” Vasilos said. “As a proud Arkansan, partnering with the industries and iconic brands that define our state is deeply rewarding. I’m inspired by what’s ahead as we grow, innovate and keep building success for our clients, our employee-owners and our state.”
CJRW’s portfolio of clients include Arkansas Department of Tourism, Arkansas State Parks, Oaklawn Hot Springs, National Cold War Center, Delta Dirt Distillery, Visit Hot Springs, Arkansas Department of Commerce, and Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.