Whitley Penn Wins 2026 AAM Marketing Achievement Award for Marketing Innovation
Fort Worth, TX (June 11, 2026)
Whitley Penn’s Lead with Deals initiative won in the category of Marketing Innovation or Breakthrough Marketing for the 2026 Association for Accounting Marketing – Marketing Achievement Awards (AAM MAA). The award was presented on May 19 during AAM’s annual Summit in Palm Springs, California.
The AAM Marketing Achievement Awards recognize excellence in accounting marketing and growth leadership across categories including advertising, branding, business development, events, video and multimedia, website design, and innovation. This year, 15 awards were presented, with winners selected from 48 submissions by a panel of seasoned growth professionals. Entries were judged on strategic execution, alignment of business objectives, creativity, and measurable outcomes.
Lead with Deals was an internal project that launched on January 1, 2025, after 18 months of development. The initiative was designed to simplify the firm’s growth pipeline processes by creating one centralized workflow. Since its launch, Lead with Deals has helped reduce duplicate data entry, improve accuracy and pipeline velocity, and provide greater visibility throughout the firm’s sales process.
“Lead with Deals is a true example of how marketing can help drive innovation, efficiency, and growth across the firm,” stated Kristen Lollar, Chief Marketing Officer for Whitley Penn. “This recognition is a testament to the collaboration and dedication of our team, especially Kendall Neukomm’s leadership in bringing this initiative to life. I am incredibly proud of the work behind this project and the positive impact it continues to have for our professionals.”
Kendall Neukomm, Marketing & Growth Strategy Senior Manager for Whitley Penn, led the Lead with Deals initiative and supported firmwide adoption through training and resources for professionals. The team continues to build upon the project as the firm looks for additional ways to enhance processes and support growth.
About Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM)
The Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM) is the leading community for marketers, business developers, and other growth strategists. The association was formed in 1989 to elevate the profession and advance the careers of growth professionals in the accounting profession through education, community, thought leadership and leading-edge resources. Learn more about AAM at www.accountingmarketing.org.
About Whitley Penn, LLP
For more than 40 years, Whitley Penn tax, audit, and advisory professionals have been dedicated to the success of our clients. Our mission is to provide transformative solutions that deliver valuable results and develop strong relationships. With an established presence in the Southwest and as an independent member of HLB International, we are strategically positioned to help you grow both locally and globally. At Whitley Penn, your future is our focus. www.whitleypenn.com.
