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Celebrating Excellence: Eric Cook Named 2024 IFA Franchisee of the Year

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Celebrating Excellence: Eric Cook Named 2024 IFA Franchisee of the Year

Elle Humphries by Elle Humphries

Director of Marketing

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Full biography

Elle has been involved with the WSI Team and has been helping them simplify the internet since 2016 when she came on board as a marketing intern. Elle became a full-time digital strategist in May of 2017, in which she focuses her talents on Project Management and Digital Marketing for the WSI team.

Elle is now the Director of Marketing for WSI as she brings many attributes to the table, such as social media marketing, email marketing, display/search marketing, search engine optimization, content creation, customer relationship management, project management, and more!

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Summary:

At WSI, we love celebrating wins—not just for our clients but also for our team. And today, we have something big to share! Our very own Eric Cook has been recognized as a 2024 Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association (IFA). This prestigious honor was announced at the IFA’s 65th Annual Convention in Las Vegas, highlighting Eric’s leadership, community engagement, and commitment to excellence in franchising.

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A Journey of Dedication and Passion

For those who know Eric, this award comes as no surprise. His journey from a 15-year career in community banking to leading one of WSI’s most respected digital agencies has been fueled by his passion for helping businesses—especially community banks—leverage digital marketing and AI-driven strategies to grow and thrive. Since launching the agency in 2007, Eric and the team have been committed to innovation, education, and mentorship, making a lasting impact on both clients and fellow WSI franchisees.

More Than Just One Award

This latest recognition adds to an already impressive list of accolades. In 2024, WSI also named our agency as Agency of the Year, a testament to the impact we’ve made across the network and with our clients. And in 2023, Eric was honored as WSI’s Brand Ambassador of the Year, further reinforcing his commitment to sharing knowledge and helping others succeed while proudly flying the WSI flag in all of his endeavors.

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In 2024, WSI named our agency as Agency of the Year.

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In 2023, Eric was honored as WSI’s Brand Ambassador of the Year.

The Power of the WSI Family

One of the things Eric values most is the incredible community within WSI. Often referring to it as his “WSI family,” he is passionate about collaboration, mentorship, and lifting others up. Whether it’s through his work as a faculty member for numerous graduate-level banking schools, speaking at industry events, or mentoring banking professionals through The LinkedBanker, Eric is always looking for ways to give back.

In Eric’s words:

“This award isn’t just about me—it’s about the incredible team I have, the support from WSI, and the amazing clients we serve. Franchising has given me a platform to do what I love: helping community banks (our focused industry niche) grow, embracing innovation, and making a real difference in the banking industry.”

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man smiling

In 2025, Eric Cook and the WSI team were recognized as a 2024 Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association (IFA).

Looking Ahead

While awards are great, they’re not the reason we do what we do. At WSI, we’re focused on delivering cutting-edge bank websites, digital marketing, and AI solutions that empower businesses to succeed in an ever-changing digital world. We’re excited about what the future holds and grateful to our clients, partners, and the entire WSI network for their support along the way.

So, here’s to celebrating this milestone—but also to pushing forward, raising the bar, and continuing to innovate. Thank you for being part of our journey!

Want to learn more about how we help community banks and businesses succeed? Let’s connect and explore together how we can put our years of experience (and a few pretty awesome awards) to work for you!

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