Equipped with an MBA and big city marketing experience, Kenneth Barnes returned to the Okanagan in 2017 to raise his young family.
Two years after the move, he started his own digital marketing agency KJB Digital. Given its continued success along with its support of tackling childhood hunger and sponsoring youth sports, Kettle Valley Memorial and the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce Kenneth as the latest recipient of Penticton’s Top 40 awards.
Born and raised in Coldstream, Kenneth graduated from Simon Fraser University with a degree in mathematics followed by an MBA with a specialization in marketing from the University of Alberta.
Using that education, he gained valuable experience working for several advertising agencies in Vancouver and Calgary before moving to Penticton as the director of marketing for a local software company, but it wasn’t long before Kenneth ventured out on his own.
In 2019, KJB Digital was founded and originally operated as a home-based business. Less than a year later, Kenneth moved KJB Digital into an office in downtown Penticton where it continues to be located today. Over the next five years, Kenneth would add six full-time employees and a number of contract staff to provide digital marketing services to over 25 clients, some of which are national brands. In 2022, KJB opened a satellite office in Calgary, and now looks to open a second satellite office and double the number of full-time employees by 2027.
At KJB Digital, Kenneth encourages creative freedom by removing the fear of failure. Team members are empowered to explore new ideas and approaches.
Whether it’s in brainstorming sessions or designated “innovation time,” everyone is encouraged to think outside the box and share their unique perspectives.
An important initiative that KJB Digital has been actively involved in is Toonies for Tummies.
Recognizing the critical issue of childhood hunger in Penticton, KJB Digital’s team made the decision to regularly donate to the program to make a positive difference in the lives of local kids who would otherwise be at risk of going to school without proper nutrition.
When Kenneth isn’t busy growing his company, you’ll find him spending time with his wife and four children, including Lucy who was born just a few months ago.
