We’re big fans of feedback. All our clients get an open invitation to be brutal with us as we concept, craft, and create the things that will move their business. Expect to work way upstream with our creative leadership because we like to make suggestions that raise eyebrows and drop jaws. But don’t worry, we can hold hands as we venture outside the comfort zone. That’s where things get interesting. That’s where the work wins. And that’s a place we can only get to if we go together.
Mark is a left-handed Steelers fan who is happiest when he’s making. During the day he makes ads, builds brands, creates content, and directs editors, photographers, art directors, copywriters, drone operators, special effects crews, costume designers, scorpion wranglers, celebrities, athletes, and all sorts of colorful characters. After hours (and on Instagram) you’ll find Mark brewing beer, fermenting kombucha, bottling hot sauce, smoking meats, and tapping the tree in his front yard to make maple syrup. Mark has made impactful things for Chevrolet, OnStar, MillerCoors, Leinenkugel’s, U.S. Navy, Alltel Wireless, Optima Batteries, UPMC, Northwell Health, University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and Rochester Institute of Technology. He’s already looking forward to making impactful things with you.
Alex draws on nearly a decade of experience with a Bachelor of Science in Design from the Art Institutes, where he won prestigious awards such as “Best Portfolio” and “Employer’s Choice.” With a body of professional work spanning numerous industries, Alex brings well-rounded insight and multidimensional understanding that earns continued recognition by clients and colleagues alike. Before joining Gatesman, Alex was responsible for overseeing creative at Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University and served as a dedicated adjunct professor at La Roche University, imparting his expertise and preparing the next generation of creative minds.
With a comprehensive background in design, fine art, illustration, photography, video, and music, Alex presents a distinctly unique perspective for any project, no matter the size. Voraciously inquisitive, he is always well-equipped to confront a new challenge. At Gatesman, Alex elevates our creative work through his impeccable taste, conceptual thinking, and bulletproof visual consistency.
Ian brings 15 years of creative development and content production experience to the agency. He is a multidisciplinary creative — writer, cameraman, director, and producer — who’s passionate about collaborating to make insightful, impactful work that drives engagement while improving brand perceptions and elevating creative standards. His typical workday is spent leading creative services for Pace Suburban Bus, USG, and Incline Equity Partners. He’s also the driving force behind the agency’s in-house content studio.
Before joining Gatesman, he spent a decade working with some of the world’s most renowned ad agencies (AKQA, Code & Theory, FCB Garfinkel, Huge, McCann, Publicis, and more) on brands including Citi, Google, Georgetown University, Kawasaki, Kimberly-Clark, Nike, Olympus, Pepsi, Verizon, Volkswagen, The Washington Post, and many more. In addition, he spent four years at Rosetta Stone, where he established the Branded Content Strategy department, which led editorial creative development and global content production as the company transitioned from CDs to an app. His work has been recognized by Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, The One Show, The Tellys, regional ADDYs, and more. But most importantly, he’s a #girldad.
