In recent years we’ve made a pledge—to commit to each other, to tackle challenges head-on, and to prove, if to no one else but ourselves, that we can achieve extraordinary things in pursuit of our goals. This year, 2024, was no different. Every time we thought we couldn’t push through something difficult, we did. And sometimes, in the midst of striving, we don’t realize how far we’ve come because we’re already setting sights on what’s next. It’s easy to lose sight of progress when you’re in the thick of it, constantly striving for the next milestone. But as someone recently reminded me, “What was once the finish line is now the warm-up. Trust your track record.” And our track record this year speaks volumes about who we are and what we’re capable of achieving.

Guided by the belief that we can achieve hard things together, the team embraced every opportunity with resilience, creativity, and passion. We do hard things. We do them well. And I couldn’t be more proud of our team.

This year, we accomplished so much. From expanding our business with seven new clients and achieving a 77% win rate in competitive pitches to leading impactful initiatives that shaped our industry, 2024 was nothing short of remarkable. Here are just a few highlights of what #TeamGatesman achieved:

Business Growth

  • Client Expansion: Successfully expanded business through organic growth with existing clients and welcomed seven new clients.
  • Winning Edge: Achieved a 77% win rate in competitive pitches.
  • Certifications: Attained five new industry certifications, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to expertise and excellence.

Industry Leadership

  • Thought Leadership: Wrote 20+ articles for digital placement and publishing, completed two Demo-Day events to deliver agency ideation and opportunities
  • Agency-Sponsored Events: Organized four key events, including:
    • International Women’s Day: Hosted 100 in-person, female business leaders with a keynote by Geena Davis.
    • Gen Z Panel Discussion: Provided groundbreaking insights on this critical demographic to support our Gen Z research study with fresh findings.
    • Juice with a Twist: Sponsored AAF-Pgh’s inaugural revamped networking event.
    • Oktoberfest Pittsburgh: Brought 80,000 people together for Pittsburgh’s first-ever Oktoberfest celebration.‍

Individual and Team Accolades

  • Leadership Recognitions:
  • National Representation: Delegates attended four national conferences, contributing to conversations shaping the industry’s future.
  • Desired Expertise: Our team was highly sought after for their expertise and perspective contributing 24 speaking opportunities across trade associations, corporate events, universities, and national forums.

Creative Excellence

  • Smart Work: Created 504 high-impact pieces of work for our clients, reflecting creativity, innovation and impact.
  • Awards: Celebrated major wins, including 10 PRSA Awards, five Addy Awards, and five additional industry recognitions.
  • Top Work: Recognized “Oktoberfest Pittsburgh Branding and Brand Launch” as Work of the Year as voted on by our staff.

Culture and Engagement

  • Employee Success:
    • Achieved a 90% employee retention rate, a testament to our strong culture of belonging, fulfillment and innovation.
    • 14% of staff earned well-deserved promotions.
  • Engagement Excellence:
    • Increased Gallup scores earned Gatesman the #2 ranking across the AMIN advertising agency spectrum.
    • Employee satisfaction ranked in the 79th percentile nationwide among ad agencies.‍
  • New Podcast Launch: Debuted No Nametags in August, reaching a global audience with 10 episodes, 515 downloads, and 278 additional online streams.

Recognition and Growth

As 2024 draws to a close, we’re proud to celebrate these achievements with our talented team and valued clients. I’m incredibly grateful for each of you – our client partners and our staff – for your dedication, belief in our journey, and the trust and tenacity you bring every day. Your individuality, humor, and resilience have shaped a culture that’s among the best in the industry. We’ve faced challenges, laughed at ourselves, and kept moving forward.

As the year closes, my advice isn’t to sprint to the finish but to finish the year with your people. Reflect on what worked, what you learned, and what you’re proud of. Give grace to the plans that didn’t take off. And above all, finish the year proud.

Together, we’ve proven that when we set big goals, we don’t just meet them—we surpass them. Thank you for making 2024 a year to remember. Here’s to an even brighter 2025.

With gratitude and pride,
SB

Shanon Baker-Meyer signature