The self-proclaimed ‘Founding Mother of Minneapolis Advertising’ dishes blunt truths to industry

She also will help some nonprofits, and she continue as co-founder of MyWonderfulLife.com, a free site where users can plan their own funerals so “loved ones don’t have to.”

“I still want to stay in the game,” Kruskopf said of the consultancy. “It’s in my blood. I’m not ready to sit in a Barcalounger.”

She also is helping clients transition to SixSpeed. Between the two merged entities, clients include 3M, Minnesota Public Radio, Cargill, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Polaris, Red Bull, Titleist and Target.

“I was just looking at where I was in life,” Kruskopf said of her decision to sell. “It was the right opportunity at the right time.”

The way the acquisition unfolded reflects the nature of the advertising community here, said Kruskopf, who had been speaking with industry counterparts about her next chapter. Discussions leading to the acquisition began after she met SixSpeed’s Kevin Reilly at a one of the regular gatherings of Twin Cities agency CEOs.

“The one thing about Minneapolis that is so different is that Minneapolis is a very collaborative town,” Kruskopf said. “Everybody wants the future of Minneapolis advertising and marketing to keep rising.”