Clever Creative scales to meet client demand with Keva Dine Agency

The Company

Clever Creative offers brand strategy, design, and integration to companies of all sizes seeking impactful creative campaigns. During a high-growth phase, Shannon Gabor, CEO of Clever Creative, sought a partner to help her source the right talent while providing expert advice for future growth. 

“Keva’s agency isn’t just about recruitment—it’s about partnership. She’s an extension of our team, helping us align our goals and talent strategy in a way that sets us up for success,” said Shannon.

The Challenge:
Limited resources and the need for long-term solutions

While her first priority was to hire talent to meet the client's immediate needs, Shannon wanted to avoid falling into the rapid hire-to-lay-off practices she had experienced at other agencies. She knew the cost of employee churn and wanted to hire the right talent and find people with the talent to execute projects promptly without sacrificing quality.

Founded in 2005, Clever Creative had established a strong brand presence, and Shannon needed talent to fit the agency's culture. In return, she wanted to provide a stable and supportive work environment.

“When I first came to Keva, I needed help scaling our team to meet client demands. She provided the right talent and helped us rethink how to structure our team for growth,” Shannon stated.

The Solution:
A personal touch to strategic talent recruiting

Eight years ago, Shannon was referred to Keva Dine by a colleague in the creative industry. Immediately, Shannon knew that Keva was the person she needed to help her find the perfect fit to fill out the agency's creative needs. Because she has been in the recruiting business for over 25 years, Keva knew the questions to ask, and she understood that Shannon had needs she hadn’t expressed.

What sets Keva apart is how deeply she understands our business and our values. Her agency feels less like an external recruiter and more like an internal partner. She gets what we need,” noted Shannon.

Through thoughtful conversations with Shannon, Keva understood her clients' challenges through the lens of the brand and sourced the talent to fit Clever Creative’s skill and cultural fit requirements. By getting to know the agency and its unique challenges and opportunities, Keva acted as an extension of the team, supporting long-term organizational growth by clarifying roles and identifying key leadership opportunities.

“The candidates Keva brings us are always high-caliber and aligned with our culture. It’s clear she’s not just filling a role—she’s making sure it’s the right fit for us in the long run,” said Shannon.

the Outcome:
Alignment, communication, and trust help the agency continue to grow

In partnership with Clever Creative, Keva has helped identify key leadership opportunities and focus on long-term goals. The candidates provided by Keva have since grown into leadership roles at the agency.

“Keva’s placements aren’t just temporary fixes but long-term solutions. One of the candidates she brought in has been promoted multiple times and is now a leader in our team. That’s the kind of impact she makes,” Shannon said.

Now preparing for the 20th anniversary, Shannon is confident that Keva will help her agency grow while ensuring its core values and playful spirit remain intact.

“Keva advocates not just for us as the client but also for the talent she places. She ensures the relationship works for everyone involved, making a much stronger outcome,” Shannon concluded.