Grove has more than four decades of experience in marketing communications. In the late nineties Grove founded INK inc. Public Relations where he received considerable national press for his use of a non-traditional business structure and compensation plan. CNN, PBS, Forbes Magazine and The Wall Street Journal, among others, have all profiled Grove and his use of the “virtual office” to reduce overhead and be able to offer a performance-based compensation plan to clients. Grove sold this PR firm in 2025 and founded GROVE & Co., which provides bespoke strategic communication services to entrepreneurial enterprises.

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Grove began as a beat reporter with The Lawrence, KS Journal World while working toward his Master’s degree in journalism at the University of Kansas. Upon graduation, he transferred his writing skills to the New York office of Burson-Marsteller. Over the next several years he worked for a variety of large agencies such as N.W. Ayer, DDB/Needham and even a second stint with Burson-Marsteller as vice-president, general manager of Southern California operations. In addition, Grove has held C-suite positions with ITEL Financial Services Corporation and divisions of ITT and General Electric. He took a five-year sabbatical from the corporate world to found a talent management company and recording studio in northern California. But once again found a means to cojoin the entertainment world with corporate America through innovative marketing solutions.

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His experience ranges from financial and investor relations to high-tech campaigns and products, and the vagaries of the entertainment world. He has developed communication programs for companies that sell sophisticated aircraft leases, companies that create unique software solutions, mobile apps, and manufacture computer chips, and even retail beauty products. He has worked with companies and international foundations in every part of the US as well as China, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and Israel. Enterprises that needed to tell their stories, to build their brands through strategic communication programs including national print and television exposure; and those wishing to reduce their public exposure completely. Grove planned and executed programs for all. He has applied his skills against clients ranging from IBM, Honeywell and Dr. Scholl’s, to Coca-Cola, Armor All, and Jack Daniel’s.

 

Grove has been a guest lecturer at Wharton International School of Business, Kansas University Business School, Kansas University School of Mass Communications, and various industry events.

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In 2022, Grove wrote and published his book, “It’s The Media, Stupid! PR Without the BS.” The book is a valuable guide for those looking to gain media coverage without selling their soul. It’s available on Amazon.

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Grove’s hobbies include touring the country on his motorcycle, writing, and following his beloved Jayhawks.

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Business philosophy:

Some people see things as they are, and say Why? Others see things that never were, and say, Why not?

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Personal philosophy:

Be curious. Be kind. Take your job seriously, but never yourself.