DEFYING THE NOISE: GATESMAN ENTERS NEXT CHAPTER WITH “PROVE YOU WERE HERE”
Campaign Sharpens Agency’s Position for Bold Leadership and Ideas that Leave Undeniable Proof
PITTSBURGH / CHICAGO – [Jan. 13, 2026] – In an industry shaped by mega mergers, accelerated technology and increased noise, Gatesman is sharpening its stance on what matters most: work that proves business impact. Today, the nationally ranked, independent agency unveiled its new positioning, “Prove You Were Here,” rooted in a simple belief: work only matters if it delivers results people can feel, measure and stand behind.
Over the past several years, the pressure on marketing leaders has intensified. Attribution is stronger than ever and scrutiny is higher than it’s ever been. As a result, board members, CEOs and other decision makers are posing the same question: ”What have you done lately and why does it matter?” That reality forced a choice: continue contributing to the noise, or take a bolder position on what actually matters.
Gatesman’s newest positioning campaign reflects decades of lessons learned on what it takes to win, wisdom gained from losses and continuous change, and a clear understanding of how to drive impact. Over time, Gatesman has become clear about the kind of work it wants to do and the kind of people it wants to do it with: clients and teammates willing to get in the trenches, push forward together in challenge and take pride in the results they create. That clarity also means knowing this isn’t for everyone – and being comfortable with that. “Prove You Were Here” isn’t something that can be lifted or replicated; it’s rooted in Gatesman’s biggest differentiator: its people and the creativity they bring to solving real client and industry problems. It’s a reflection of how the agency works, who it works with and the belief that meaningful impact only happens when commitment, craft and accountability show up together.
“Prove You Were Here” grew out of a six month agency-wide effort that united Gatesman’s strategists, creatives, data and media experts around a shared point of view. Grounded in industry research, our own experiences, and informed by real-world client pressures, the team explored multiple creative territories, pressure-tested messaging and visual directions while iterating relentlessly to ensure the work would resonate with prospects, employees and industry peers. The result is an agency positioning designed to deliver upon something rare: a brand stance backed by performance in the market, not just sound bites in a pitch.
“Twenty years in, we’re not here to be ‘good enough,’” said Founder and CEO John Gatesman. “Clients are under a lot of pressure, and we’re here to help brands show up in ways people can feel and measure. ‘Prove You Were Here’ is a challenge to ourselves and our clients: We don’t just participate. We make it count and drive impact and results, every damn day. It’s a line in the sand for how we operate with clear goals, real accountability and creativity that drives results that win and relationships that last. That’s how trust is built and how growth happens.”
As an independent agency, Gatesman believes its size is a strategic advantage. That closeness keeps the agency tightly connected to clients, decisions and the work itself, enabling faster speed to market and deeper accountability and commitment to businesses’ goals. This working style is evident in “Prove You Were Here,” serving as a reminder that showing up only matters if the work leaves proof behind. That message is underscored by Gatesman’s belief that creativity is not confined to art and copy, but rather the output of strategy, PR, social media, media and analytics working together, informed by marketing intelligence and human insight.
“We’ve always been about the work and our creativity, and that’s not going to change,” said Gatesman President Shannon Baker. “But we’re not the same team we were last year, let alone from when we started. We are changed. We are stronger, tougher, better and it’s because of the lessons we’ve learned – in our wins, our losses and the challenges we’ve faced over time. There’s a bit of defiance in us all, because despite such drastic changes in business and industry we’re still striving, achieving and delivering. We give it all we’ve got for each other and our clients. The proof is something we demonstrate, not just declare. You can see it in the pride we exude, the joy in our celebrations and the impact of the work we’re producing. We’re not for everyone, but we are locked in with achievers.”
Externally, the positioning directly speaks to business leaders and industry pros who feel the weight of high expectations and choose to meet it head-on…the people who set goals, compete with intention and want their work to leave a mark. It also signals a partner deeply invested in clients’ businesses, not transactional relationships or short-term wins. Internally, the positioning reinforces Gatesman’s people-first culture, celebrating collaboration, ambition, shared energy and accountability.
“Prove You Were Here” will roll out in phases across Gatesman’s owned and shared mediums, beginning with a refreshed brand identity, website experience, social media and video content. The positioning will power an ongoing drumbeat of storytelling that spotlights proof in action from client wins, industry leadership and behind-the-scenes moments of Gatesman’s people and process delivering measurable impact and a meaningful market presence. Topics include marketing effectiveness over vanity metrics, creative originality in the age of AI and how independent agencies can drive impact and accountability at lightning speed.
As the platform evolves, Gatesman will continue to show what it means to turn pressure into proof for clients, our people and the industry.
For more information or to stay tuned with additional elements of our campaign roll out, please visit gatesmanagency.com or keep up with #TeamGatesman on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or X, formerly Twitter.
About Gatesman:
With offices in Pittsburgh and Chicago, Gatesman offers expertise in strategy/branding, advertising, public relations, social media, digital and analytics. Gatesman is a partner in AMIN Worldwide, an alliance of over 50 independent marketing agencies, IPREX, a global communications network, and most recently the Ad Age Small Agency Network. Gatesman acquired Quest Fore in 2014 and Noble Communications in 2017.
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