Jack Rouse
Jack Rouse
CEO, Jack Rouse Associates
In a multi-faceted career that spans more than 30 years, Jack Rouse has embraced the worlds of academia, entertainment, education, culture and community development. “All of these worlds share one common element,” Jack has often said. “They all want to connect with an audience.” So while the company he heads is often regarded as a design firm, Jack prefers to think of it as a firm that specializes in connecting with the emotions of target audiences. “Yes, we design and create spaces, and certainly we tell stories. But what we really do is unlock the inherent drama of our client’s vision in order to create lasting memories and forge strong relationships with their audience.”
With a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, Jack’s first career was as a college professor. Later, as a senior executive with Taft Broadcasting Company, Jack was one of the management investors responsible for the leveraged buyout of the theme park division from Taft and the establishment of Kings Entertainment Company (now King’s Island and owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Group). In 1987, Jack left Kings Entertainment Company to form his own firm — Jack Rouse Associates. With colleagues Keith James and Amy Merrell, JRA has become one of the most recognized global names in the various industries that it serves. Those industries include museums, zoos, sports facilities, theme parks, entertainment complexes, cultural venues, community developments and corporate environments.
Building on a management philosophy that stresses a sincere and honest concern for the personal and professional lives of each of the firm’s associates, Jack has guided and inspired the development of one of the most respected and creative firms in the world. Always believing in a multi-disciplinary team approach to the development of creative projects, Jack has assembled a variety of writers, artists, designers and producers and supports them with operations, marketing and administration professionals in order to create a firm of remarkable depth and diversity. Jack has led a movement to augment this Cincinnati team with associates from all corners of the globe enabling JRA to give great credence to Tom Friedman’s claim that “the world is flat;” and thus providing JRA’s clients with superior creative and project management services all over the globe.
A much sought-after lecturer, panel member and charrette participant, Jack couples his thoughtful insights with a charismatic presentation style that has benefited audiences at ULI, AZA, IAAPA, TiLE, LIW, IAAM, ECSITE and numerous other professional association events in the United States, Europe and Asia.
Jack understands not only the missions and messages of the clients he serves, but also the business principles that are essential for their success. Jack has often said: “The production techniques used in museums and visitor centers are often the same. But the real similarity between cultural businesses and show business is the noun - Business. We must never forget that the other words are the adjectives.”
Jack works on a variety of entertainment, museum, corporate and sports projects for clients worldwide. In recent years Jack has become increasingly interested in the role that arts, culture and entertainment venues can play within the larger context of economic development. Speaking at a recent conference in Europe, Jack said, “Whether in Dubai, Pella, Iowa, Cheyenne, Wyoming, Dublin, Ireland or Singapore, the interaction between what JRA creates and the more traditional mixed-use elements like retail, residential and commercial is becoming more important as a driver for economic success and development differentiation.”
In addition to his professional work for JRA, Jack serves on the board of trustees for many organizations, including the Cincinnati Zoo, the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and the Cincinnati Central City Development Corporation. He also serves as chairman for the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority.