{{Short description|American journalist, producer and entrepreneur}} {{redirect|Erkes|the architect|Walter E. Erkes}} {{Multiple issues| {{Orphan|date=December 2018}} {{COI|date=May 2026}} }} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}} {{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = | name = Jason Erkes | honorific_suffix = | image = JasonErkes.jpg | image_upright = | image_size = <!-- DISCOURAGED per WP:IMGSIZE. Use image_upright. --> | alt = | caption = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | pronunciation = | birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name above --> | birth_date = <!-- {{birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} for living people supply only the year with {{Birth year and age|YYYY}} unless the exact date is already widely published, as per WP:DOB. For people who have died, use {{Birth date|YYYY|MM|DD}}. --> | birth_place = | baptised = <!-- will not display if birth_date is entered --> | disappeared_date = <!-- {{disappeared date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (disappeared date then birth date) --> | disappeared_place = | disappeared_status = | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date then birth date) --> | death_place = | death_cause = | body_discovered = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline}} --> | burial_place = <!-- may be used instead of resting_place and resting_place_coordinates (displays "Burial place" as label) --> | burial_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline}} --> | monuments = | other_names = | citizenship = | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = Communications Strategist, AI Trainer, Entrepreneur | years_active = 1990s-present | era = | employer = | agent = <!-- Discouraged in most cases, specifically when promotional, and requiring a reliable source --> | known_for = | notable_works = <!-- produces label "Notable work"; may be overridden by |credits=, which produces label "Notable credit(s)"; or by |works=, which produces label "Works" --> | style = | height = <!-- "X cm", "X m" or "X ft Y in" plus optional reference (conversions are automatic) --> | television = | title = | term = | predecessor = | successor = | party = | movement = | opponents = | boards = | criminal_charge = <!-- Criminality parameters should be supported with citations from reliable sources --> | criminal_penalty = | criminal_status = | spouse = <!-- Use article title or common name --> | partner = <!-- (unmarried long-term partner) --> | children = | parents = <!-- overrides mother and father parameters --> | mother = <!-- may be used (optionally with father parameter) in place of parents parameter (displays "Parent(s)" as label) --> | father = <!-- may be used (optionally with mother parameter) in place of parents parameter (displays "Parent(s)" as label) --> | relatives = | family = | callsign = | awards = | website = [http://www.jasonerkes.com/ JasonErkes.com] | module = | module2 = | module3 = | module4 = | module5 = | module6 = | signature = | signature_size = | signature_alt = | footnotes = }} '''Jason Erkes''' is an American entrepreneur and communications strategist. He is the founder of PromptedComms, a consultancy focused on the integration of artificial intelligence within public relations and small business workflows.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jason Erkes Profile |url=https://www.promptedcomms.ai/about-jason |website=PromptedComms |access-date=26 January 2026}}</ref> Previously, Erkes worked as a journalist. In the 1990s, Erkes began his career working for ABC7 Chicago News as a political researcher and field producer. He then worked as a special assistant for Illinois Attorney General, Roland Burris. During this period he played an active role in Burris' bid to become Illinois Governor. Erkes revisited the media in 1995 with a special projects position at Fox Chicago News where he and the production team won an Emmy award for a special they produced. Erkes remained at Fox News until 2001.
He moved into business after he was part of a group that purchased the near-bankrupt Chicago Sport and Social Club, a group well-known for its volleyball leagues on North Avenue Beach. Erkes served as President of the company for nearly 15 years, growing it substantially into the largest social club of its kind in the United States. While doing so, he was recognized by Crain's Chicago Business as part of their 40 Under 40 list in 2005. Erkes stepped down from the position in 2015 to pursue other ventures.
Erkes now runs a consultancy and training practice, PromptedComms that focuses on the integration of generative artificial intelligence within the public relations and corporate communications sectors.
==Career== === Media and Political career === Erkes began his career working as a journalist. In 1992, Erkes worked as a political researcher for ABC 7 Chicago, coordinating local political coverage and producing content for the station during President Bill Clinton's primary and general election. Erkes attended the Presidential inauguration and assisted with the live coverage for the station. He continued in politics for the next two years as a special assistant to the Illinois Attorney General, Roland Burris. Erkes oversaw large initiatives like a charitable grant donation fund and received an accommodation from the State of Illinois for organizing a statewide gun turn-in program. Erkes also played an instrumental role in Roland Burris’ bid to be Governor of Illinois.
Erkes returned to journalism at Fox News Chicago where he covered breaking news and politics as a field producer. He conducted a number of interviews with notable individuals, such as Sarah, Duchess of York, Johnnie Cochran and comedian Chris Rock. His daily duties were covering the City of Chicago with Mayor Richard M. Daley and the State of Illinois with Governor George Ryan. He also managed live coverage from various political conventions between 1996 and 2000 elections. Erkes was part of a team at Fox News that covered the impeachment of President Bill Clinton after his affair with Monica Lewinsky. While working at Fox Chicago, Erkes won an Emmy award for presenting News Specials in 1997. The particular award came after the reporting on the funeral of Joseph Cardinal Bernardin on WFLD TV when he was working as a Field Producer and Investigative Producer.<ref>{{cite web|title=1997 to 1998 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Winners|url=http://chicagoemmyonline.org/files/2013/04/1997_to_1998_chicago_midwest_emmy_awards_winners.pdf|publisher=Chicago Emmy Online}}</ref> He was also recognized in 2001 when he was a finalist at the Lisagor Awards as part of the WFLD team that made the final three in the exemplary journalism category.<ref>{{cite web|title=Finalists Have Been Announced in the 2000 Lisagor Awards for Exemplary Journalism|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/finalists-have-been-announced-in-the-2000-lisagor-awards-for-exemplary-journalism-82468427.html|agency=PR Newswire|date=April 23, 2001}}</ref>
As a side venture, Erkes developed an entrepreneurial product supporting Joe Lieberman's 2003 political campaign and launched the first-ever political campaign Kippah, Joe Beanie selling thousands across the world. The item was awarded "Campaign product of the year" by the Economist Magazine in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/hat-cap-lieberman-bid-article-1.674514|title=Hat's a Cap for Lieberman's Bid|last1=Siemaszko|first1=Corey|date=January 22, 2003|work=Daily News|location=New York}}</ref>
=== Chicago Sport and Social Club === In late 2001, Erkes moved away from journalism and purchased Chicago Sport and Social Club with a group of investors. When Erkes took over the management of the business, it was a fairly stagnant business, with a handful of Chicago Park District permits and a mailing list of around 6,000 email addresses. The stutter in Chicago Sport and Social Club's fortunes came after their parent company went bust after the Dot-com bubble crash. During an interview with Crain's Chicago Business, Erkes stated the new investors ''"wanted to rebuild the company's brand name and re-establish the goodwill that had existed for so many years."''<ref name=crains>{{cite web|last1=Ecker|first1=Danny|title=How Chicago Sport and Social Club took over the lakefront|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130525/ISSUE01/305259980/how-chicago-sport-and-social-club-took-over-the-lakefront|publisher=Crain's Chicago Business|date=May 25, 2013}}</ref>
Erkes' work didn't go unnoticed in the city of Chicago and he was recognized by Crain's Chicago Business as one of the 40 Under 40 in the area. The award came due to the turnaround in Chicago Sport and Social Club's fortunes. At the time of the takeover, the sports and social club was said to have annual revenues of $2.1 million and over 45,000 participants. Its operations were spread over 22 cities, making it a difficult portfolio to manage and turn a profit from. Between 2001 and 2005, Erkes scaled back the number of cities they were focusing on to four, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Orlando. During that period, the participation didn't shrink but grew, from 45,000 to over 80,000. Profits were also said to be up 400% during the same period.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hauser|first1=Marc|title=Number 36 – President, Sport & Social Clubs Inc.|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20051117/PAGES/1864/40-under-40-2005|publisher=Crain's Chicago Business|date=November 17, 2005}}</ref> Due to the popularity of the Social Club, Erkes was asked to throw the first pitch at both Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox games.
In 2007, Erkes and his partners were the first to bring City Chase to the United States. The urban adventure event, which originated in Toronto, with teams competing in a city to win points through a variety of events.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jackson|first1=Cheryl V.|title=City Chase Starts Here|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=August 23, 2007}}</ref> By 2013, Erkes grew the sport and social club to the largest of its kind in the United States. The growth in revenues came from corporate sponsorship and the development of new leagues and activities, with 80% of the revenue for the company coming from league fees.<ref name=crains /> In 2015, Erkes announced that he would be stepping down as President of the Chicago Sport and Social Club after growing participation numbers to 110,000.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Harris|first1=Melissa|title=Jason Erkes' lessons learned as he departs Chicago Sport & Social Club|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-harris-jason-erkes-0610-biz-20150609-column.html|work=Chicago Tribune|date=June 9, 2015}}</ref>
Erkes then moved into the field of crisis management and strategic communications. He and his company were strategic advisors to Illinois Representative Ron Sandack during his resignation.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Garcia|first1=Monique|title=Ex-state Rep. Ron Sandack resigned after 'inappropriate' online talks, extortion scheme|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-state-rep-ron-sandack-internet-scam-met-0917-20160916-story.html|work=Chicago Tribune|date=September 16, 2016}}</ref> He also led the charge for Roland Burris to be seated when he was controversially appointed to the US Senate by Governor Rod Blagojevich. Erkes and his associates were awarded the Reed Award from Campaigns and Elections for the "Best Bare Knuckled Street Fight Victory" of 2010 for succeeding in their effort. He was also Director of Communications for US Senate Candidate Blair Hull.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McCormick|first1=John|title=Hull's riches put him in race, but not in the money|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-0403190188mar19-story.html|work=Chicago Tribune|date=March 19, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Hampton|first1=Ivanna|title=Roland Burris' Buddies Win "Street-Fighting" Award|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Burris-Buddies-Win-Scrappy-Award-83532487.html|publisher=NBC Chicago|date=February 4, 2010}}</ref>
Erkes founded Crisis Strategy Group and has consulted pharmaceutical companies, politicians and entrepreneurs in the emerging medical cannabis industry through many high-profile crisis situations.<ref>{{cite web|title=5 Steps to Help You Prepare for a Crisis|url=http://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/5-steps-to-help-you-prepare-for-a-crisis/|work=Cannabis Business Times|date=January 9, 2017}}</ref>
=== Cresco Labs === Erkes started consulting with several cannabis companies early on in 2016 and got more involved as the emerging industry evolved. He was a contributor to several magazines,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/jason-erkes-cannabis-crisis-control/|title=5 Steps to Help You Prepare for a Crisis|website=Cannabis Business Times|date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref> penning articles on managing crisis situations and preparing for crisis. While consulting with Chicago-based Cresco Labs, he was instrumental in launching the first celebrity chef-based cannabis edible line with James Beard Foundation Award Winning Chef Mindy Segal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-chef-marijuana-edibles-20151209-story.html|title=Not your average pot brownie: A real chef is making fancy marijuana edibles|last=Harris|first=Jenn|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=June 12, 2019|date=December 10, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/24/t-magazine/marijuana-chocolate-candy-mindy-segal.html|title=Better Than Pot Brownies, by a James Beard Award-Winning Chef|last=Viera|first=Lauren|date=March 24, 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 12, 2019|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hightimes.com/edibles/celebrity-pastry-chef-launches-edibles-company/|title=Celebrity Pastry Chef Launches Edibles Company|last=McDonough|first=Elise|date=December 9, 2015|website=High Times|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref> Erkes was involved in all the corporate messaging for Cresco Labs, including the launching of a million-dollar education and awareness program<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-illinois-medical-marijuana-campaign-met-20150930-story.html|title=Medical marijuana business in Illinois starts $1 million marketing campaign|last=McCoppin|first=Robert|website=Chicago Tribune|date=September 30, 2015 |access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref> for the Illinois medical marijuana program. The company was the first cannabis sponsor<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hightimes.com/culture/cannabis-cultivator-makes-historic-debut-at-chicago-marathon/|title=Cannabis Cultivator Makes Historic Debut at Chicago Marathon|last=Meehan|first=Maureen|date=October 14, 2015|website=High Times|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref> of the Chicago Marathon. After joining the company's team full time as their Chief Communications Officer in 2018,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cresco Labs hires first-ever chief communications officer|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2018/09/12/cresco-labs-hires-first-ever-chief-communications.html|website=The Business Journals|access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref> Erkes helped the company go public on the Canadian Securities Exchange, launch the Pennsylvania medical marijuana program and enter the Ohio market with several acquisitions of vertically integrated companies and dispensaries. Erkes has been a spokesperson for the cannabis industry on media across the country talking about the uses of medical cannabis, the opioid crisis and each state's regulated cannabis program.
In 2024, Erkes received two MarCom Platinum awards in the product launch and publicity campaign categories for Cresco Labs' work on a collaborative marketing campaign with The Fifty/50, a Chicago-based restaurant group, for a cannabis-infused product, the Good News Big Game Wing Sauce, released during the Super Bowl.<ref>{{cite web |title=MARCOM Awards |url=https://enter.amcpros.com/marcom/winners/ |website=MARCOM Awards |access-date=26 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Waxman |first1=Naomi |title=Make THC-Infused Chicken Wings With a New Cannabis-Spiked Sauce |url=https://chicago.eater.com/2024/1/29/24051715/cannabis-thc-infused-buffalo-chicken-wing-sauce-the-fifty-50-good-news-cresco-labs-super-bowl |website=Eater |access-date=26 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Simakis |first1=Michelle |title=Cresco Labs Scores Touchdown With Cannabis-Infused Wing Sauce |url=https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/business-issues-benchmarks/edibles-product-development/news/15686950/cresco-labs-scores-touchdown-with-cannabis-infused-wing-sauce |website=Cannabis Business Times |access-date=26 January 2026}}</ref>
=== PromptedComms === In 2024, Erkes founded PromptedComms, a consultancy and training practice focused on the integration of generative artificial intelligence within the public relations and corporate communications sectors.<ref name="Jason Erkes Speaker Profile">{{cite web |title=Jason Erkes Speaker Profile |url=https://www.prdecoded.com/agenda/speakers/3792683 |website=PR Decoded |access-date=31 January 2026}}</ref> The company's goal is to apply AI tools to existing industry workflows, for example, media pitching, crisis management, and reporting, to increase operational efficiency.<ref name="Jason Erkes Speaker Profile"/>
==Philanthropy== Erkes has been dedicated to a number of fundraising efforts in the city of Chicago. In 2011, he raised money for the Chicago Chargers football team through the 100,000 participants at Chicago Sport and Social Club.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Garcia|first1=John|title=Strangers Rally Around Football Team in Need|url=http://abc7chicago.com/archive/8467615/|publisher=ABC Chicago|date=December 14, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Balde|first1=Lisa|title=Youth Football Team Makes Gains on Fundraising Goal|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/Local-Pee-Wee-Football-Team-in-Need-of-Miracle-135572703.html|publisher=NBC Chicago|date=December 15, 2011}}</ref> He also served on an advisory board for Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympic Games. He has been a board member of Special Olympics Chicago for many years helping recruit high profile celebrities to jump in Lake Michigan for their Polar Plunge. Erkes was also a celebrity host of Tickled Pink Chicago.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tickled Pink for brightPink|url=http://tickledpinkchicago.com/2014/01/tickled-pink/|publisher=Tickled Pink Chicago|year=2014}}</ref>
==External links== * [http://jasonerkes.com Official website]
==References== {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Erkes, Jason}} Category:American male journalists Category:21st-century American businesspeople Category:American philanthropists Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people)