(Chicago, September 12, 2018) – PRESS RELEASE – Cannabis industry leader Cresco Labs, one of the largest and fastest-growing U.S. cannabis companies, has announced the hire of veteran communications strategist Jason Erkes as its first chief communications officer. Erkes, a former Emmy-winning journalist and successful entrepreneur, has served as a consultant to the company for three years and now officially joins Cresco Labs as the company builds its executive roster with leaders across every industry.
“Jason has been a big part of driving Cresco’s growth and the evolution of the cannabis industry in our markets,” said Cresco Labs CEO Charlie Bachtell. “He developed an expertise in our business that is second-to-none and has set the standard for how this industry can and should responsibly communicate with the public, medical professionals, investors and lawmakers, furthering Cresco’s mission to professionalize the cannabis industry. We are delighted to add him to our leadership team.”
Erkes has been quoted as a media expert in Forbes, Inc. and Huffington Post and has been a featured speaker on stages across the country lecturing on managing crisis situations and building authoritative brands using the media. He’s been a contributor to Cannabis Business Times, Cannabis Business Executive and has helped forecast the future of the cannabis industry on WGN Radio.
“Cresco Labs is an outstanding company formed by true innovators who are leading the emergence of the cannabis industry and I’m honored to join their executive team,” said Erkes. “Working with Cresco as a consultant, I’ve learned the cannabis business from seed to sale and I look forward to telling the Cresco Labs story. This is a company that is committed to innovation and quality.”
Cresco Labs, based in Chicago, operates in six states, giving the company the largest geographic footprint of any U.S.-based cannabis company. Their brands, Cresco, Remedi, Reserve and Mindy's Edibles, an infused edible line with James Beard Award-winning chef Mindy Segal, provide a full suite of products including flower, edibles, vape pens/cartridges and multiple forms of extracts. These products cater to all consumers, from the novice to connoisseur, from the medically-minded to the recreational user. The company has a core value of educating consumers while trying to eliminate the stigma associated with marijuana.
