Tom Hagan, longtime ad man, business leader and namesake of Karsh Hagan, one of Colorado’s largest advertising agencies, died Tuesday from complications of Alzheimer’s disease in his hometown of Detroit. He was 92.

Hagan, along with former business partner Phil Karsh, founded the agency Karsh Hagan in Denver in 1977. The pair grew the business to become one of the most successful agencies in the region, with current annual billings of $80M. Notable accounts of KH include: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aspen Snowmass, Bank of Colorado, Colorado Lottery, The Colorado Tourism Office, Denver International Airport, McDonald’s, Pinnacle Bank, Steamboat, Telluride, Travel South Dakota and VISIT DENVER.

For more than 46 years, the agency helped hundreds of business clients grow and prosper by providing successful advertising campaigns that benefited clients.

“Tom Hagan was an icon, and VISIT DENVER was fortunate to have worked with him and Phil,”
said Richard Scharf, president and CEO of VISIT DENVER. “For many years we were a gateway to the Rockies, and his creative expertise put Denver on the map as a tourism destination.”

Born April 4, 1931, in Covington, Ky., Hagan was a Korean War veteran who attended
Wayne State University in Detroit under the GI Bill. Hagan started his career in PR, working on
newsletters and at a few national agencies before landing at Campbell Ewald Marketing
Communications in Detroit as executive creative director of the Chevrolet automobile
account.

After vacationing in Colorado, Hagan knew Denver was where he wanted to raise his
family and advance his career. Hagan landed a job as creative director in Denver at Frye-Sills Advertising Agency, where he met Phil Karsh and the two became fast friends. Karsh died in Lakewood in 2016.

Hagan retired in 1996 and the agency was headed by Pocky Marranzino. In 2009, Hagan’s daughter, Kathy Hagan, joined Marranzino and they now serve as owners and co-CEOs.

“He was not only my dad and my best friend, but he was also my mentor,” said Kathy Hagan.
“He taught me the ethics of business and life and set an example of hard work. He encouraged
me to be an entrepreneur and always promoted the ability to do anything. He always had time for everyone who called him. His guidance and support allowed many to excel in the business,
and I am humbled to have represented Dad and Phil’s legacy at Karsh Hagan.”

With 70 full-time employees, the agency strives to help mentor and foster young, creative minds
through an internship program that has spanned decades. Some of Denver’s top advertising executives worked at Karsh Hagan over the years and during formative stages of their careers.

“He dedicated himself to helping aspiring young minds and encouraging up-and-coming talent
to forge a way into the business,” said Marranzino, who has been with the agency for 41
years. “Hagan helped establish our Family, Fun, and Freedom culture. He was my friend and
always said, ‘fun is where you find it.’ ”

Hagan served on the Ronald McDonald House and the Colorado History Museum boards, among
other boards. He remained active and visited with the agency into his late-80s.

“He exposed us to his love of travel, inspired us to be adventurous,” said granddaughter Kate Rundles. “He showed us the world and he encouraged us to put fun first, so we never had to ‘work’ a day in our lives,” added granddaughter Emily Rundles.

Hagan is survived by his wife, Pat; daughters Kathy Hagan, Kelly Steppler, Sue Heisterman; stepdaughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Details of an upcoming service will soon be announced.