Canary & Coal is joining Hurrdat, Bringing Traditional Advertising, Direct Mail and Out-of-Home Expertise to Hurrdat’s Full-Service Marketing Ecosystem. Read this exciting news here:
STRATEGIC, SMART SOCIAL, DIGITAL AND TRADITIONAL MEDIA SOLUTIONS
Canary and Coal, a Hurrdat Company, is a resource for organizations that want to boldly harness the power of traditional media buying, out-of-home advertising, direct mail and other services that complement Hurrdat’s portfolio of digital marketing, SEO, paid media, public relations, creative, web development, podcasting and events. Canary and Coal professionals are leaders in direct response marketing, utilizing online and direct mail lead-generation and traditional media.
Cheri Duryea
Vice President of Media Buying & Strategy for Canary & Coal, A Hurrdat Company
With more than 25 years of integrated marketing experience, Cheri Duryea has led strategic marketing initiatives across financial services, real estate, retail, technology, franchise relations, healthcare and nonprofit sectors for local and national brands. Her expertise spans the full marketing ecosystem, from traditional media buying and direct mail to out-of-home, digital and data-driven campaign strategy, delivering measurable results for both local and national brands.
Having worked as a client, agency partner and strategic vendor, Cheri brings a comprehensive, 360-degree perspective to every engagement. She has extensive experience in database and campaign analysis, broadcast and print media buying, direct mail strategy and list brokerage, and the development of integrated marketing programs that align brand, message and performance. Her ability to connect traditional and modern channels ensures cohesive campaigns that drive awareness, engagement and conversion.
In 2019, Cheri purchased Canary & Coal, a respected marketing firm known for its social media and public relations services. Under her leadership, the company expanded its capabilities while maintaining a strong focus on integrated marketing strategies.
Full-service marketing agency and leader Hurrdat acquired Canary & Coal effective April 1, 2026. The acquisition expands Hurrdat’s capabilities to include traditional media buying, out-of-home advertising and direct mail, complementing Hurrdat’s broad marketing ecosystem. This move marks an exciting new chapter for Canary & Coal, expanding the firm’s reach within a larger dynamic organization.
Cheri is an active leader in the Omaha business and nonprofit community. She is a member of the Nebraska chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and Omaha Network where she served as President. She is also a past President of the Women’s Fund of Omaha and has held board positions with Heartland Family Service, and other nonprofits, reflecting her ongoing commitment to community impact and leadership.
THE TEAM THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE:
At Canary and Coal, our capabilities come down to a multi-disciplinary team of professionals who are well versed in the research, development and execution of multi-channel solutions that are customized to help you meet your strategic goals.
CHERI DURYEA
PRESIDENT
From keeping your eye on the ball to getting across the finish line first, we can apply any number of popular sports analogies to self-described sports fan Cheri Duryea McPherson, Canary and Coal president. Using her planning and engagement skills to cultivate social media platforms and campaigns, as well as search engine optimization, search engine marketing, and Google Ad campaigns, she helps to keep clients moving forward and growing in the digital environment.
In addition, she’s built an integrated marketing portfolio that includes managed database, campaign analysis; media buying across broadcast, print and digital media; ground-up development of sales support programs; list brokerage; and direct marketing campaigns for local and national companies. Her experience includes industries such as financial services, real estate, retail, technology, franchise relations, healthcare and nonprofit.
She is a current member of the American Marketing Association (AMA) Omaha and the American Advertising Federation Omaha, as well as president-elect of Omaha Network. Cheri is also a past board member of Heartland Family Service and past board president of Women’s Fund of Omaha.
Watch that fancy footwork.
A dance major when she started college, Cheri loves to watch sports, particularly soccer and basketball. She also likes to keep busy working out, reading and spending time with family and friends.
SOPHIE FORD
DIGITAL AND DESIGN MANAGER
Combining the best of creative and strategy, Sophie Ford develops and executes digital efforts that ensure successful outcomes for Canary and Coal’s clients. Her expertise extends across organic and paid social media campaigns, website projects, video editing, digital and print design.
A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Sophie earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations and advertising, as well as a bachelor’s in studio arts with an emphasis in graphic design. She was president of the UNO student chapter of the American Advertising Federation, and also editor-in-chief of the Gateway student newspaper. She is currently a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA) Omaha chapter.
Life, with a world view.
Is that hint of an accent you hear when you speak with Sophie? She was born in England and lived there until moving stateside at the age of 10. It’s given her a great world perspective in how she approaches life.
ERIN CEJKA
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
For someone with so much knowledge of the past, Erin Cejka understands how the future is built by creating engagement through her social media management and content creation. Her background includes marketing, media relations, social media management and even major renovations for two midwestern museums – helping them to increase visibility online and in-person.
Erin graduated from Northwest Missouri State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history, with a minor in public history and museum studies. During her tenure, she served as president and vice president of the history club.
You don’t always have to dig for a memorable find.
The avid traveler has been to Europe twice, but still values her time at home where she can be found cuddling up with her cat, Sabastian. You can also find her thrifting for hidden treasures – perhaps a long-lost relic from the past or a find from last season’s fashion.