our team
Since 1993, our firm has produced top-quality work for some of San Antonio’s and Texas’ finest companies.
Our work is created by a team of focused, talented artists. Individual specialties include illustration, design, programming, production, social interaction, journalism, business to business strategies and accounting.
The team is dedicated to giving our client-partners more than expected. We stay on point and we make sure every element contributes to the message. You can see it in our work, the result of a diverse, extraordinary community of creative people.
our guiding forces
Christine Kleha
Christine is a partner at esd&associates. She received her BSW from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, where she honed her financial, writing and administrative skills. She began her writing career early on as a Program Coordinator and Grant Writer for the Children’s Shelter of San Antonio while attending the university full time. Her persuasive writing skills, backed by her solid research techniques, achieved numerous grant award recognitions for non-profit organizations. She went on to apply her skills at Texas Department of Health and Human Services and then partnered with the esd&associates team.
Her strong communication skills include more than 16 years of experience in persuasive copywriting, copyediting and research analysis. Christine serves on both the PRSA and IABC Boards and has won over 45 awards for client-partners. She has served on the Judson Montessori Gala Committee, Enterprise Foundation Committee & lends her talents to Kinetic Kids & Trinity University’s Career Services’ Professional Practice Events, among others.
A true “umbrella thinker,” Christine capitalizes on her psychology and sociology background to formulate successful marketing strategies for client-partners. Understanding that over 65% of individuals in the United States are sensory based, she understands how pairing the right message and visual creative with the right media distribution network will garner results. She is distinguished in the esd&associates office for her ability to motivate and focus team members during campaign development. Christine’s leadership on accounts such as Community First Health Plans, Sirius Computer Solutions, Shriners International, SeaWorld and others has helped propel the firm’s recognition in the market.
Erik Simpson
Selected as one of San Antonio Business Journal’s “40 Under Forty” rising stars in 2004, “Who’s Who ” in Technology in 2006 and Who’s Who in Advertising & Public Relations in 2007, Erik Simpson has proven expertise in the marketing, public relations and interactive arena.
A partner and creative director of esd&associates, Erik links his success to his San Antonio roots. Completing college early at the age of 20, with his degree in Communications/Journalism from Southern Oregon University, he moved back to Texas and launched his career. His creative excellence, along with his knack for devising cost-effective client solutions quickly elevated him within the industry. After winning numerous Gold Bronze Quill awards, Point of Purchase Advertising Industry Gold Medal awards and Addys, he formed esd&associates in 1993.
Erik lends the company’s expertise to many worthy causes, participating on committees for Communities in Schools Luncheons, San Antonio Sports Foundation – Go Kids Challenge Program, University Health Foundation Gala, Hispanic Association 80th Anniversary Celebration, among others. He is currently on the Social Health Research Center and Hartman Centre boards.
He remains actively involved in the creative and technical development of all interactive marketing, public relations and general market advertising. He actively manages advertising and interactive campaigns for Sea World, KCI, University Health System, WellMed Medical Group, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Community First Health Plans and Gambrinus — Shiner, among others. His extensive background in the field of communications and advertising provides his clients with uncompromising results.