PROVING IT FOR 20 YEARS: GATESMAN CELEBRATES TWO DECADES OF FIERCE INDEPENDENCE
Anniversary Milestone Underscores Commitment to Results That Win and Relationships that Matter
PITTSBURGH – JUNE 9, 2026 – Twenty years ago, Gatesman was built on a simple belief: great agencies don’t survive by standing still. They survive by evolving, outperforming and consistently proving their value where it matters most, with clients, audiences and results.
Today, Gatesman celebrates 20 years of doing exactly that.
Since opening its doors in June 2006, the independent integrated marketing communications agency has grown into a nationally recognized strategic and creative partner, helping brands navigate disruption, seize opportunity and compete in increasingly crowded markets. Through economic shifts, industry reinvention and constant change in how brands connect with consumers, Gatesman has continued to evolve while staying relentlessly focused on one thing: delivering work that moves business forward.
Over the last two decades, Gatesman has consistently raised the standard for creative and communications excellence. In 2026, the agency was named one of Ad Age’s Best Places to Work and was selected as an inaugural member of Ad Age’s Small Agency Network, reinforcing its reputation as a people-first organization built around culture, collaboration and high performance. The agency has also been recognized as a PR News Best Place to Work and 10 times as one of Pittsburgh’s Best Places to Work, while also achieving a 90% employee satisfaction score in recent Gallup surveys.
Gatesman’s commitment to delivering impactful work has earned more than 150 national and regional industry awards across public relations, creative, digital and integrated communications disciplines. The agency also collected more than 40 ADDY Awards for creative excellence, underscoring its ability to combine bold ideas with measurable business impact.
Nationally, Gatesman has consistently earned recognition as one of the country’s Top 100 PR Firms according to O’Dwyer’s national rankings. The agency has continued expanding its capabilities across strategy, advertising, public relations, social media, digital marketing, analytics and creative services to help clients navigate increasingly complex market challenges and rapidly evolving consumer expectations.
Over the years, Gatesman has helped brands launch category-defining campaigns, navigate reputational challenges, drive measurable growth and build stronger connections with consumers in moments that mattered most. From integrated brand campaigns and corporate reputation work to social-first storytelling and crisis communications, the agency has built its reputation on delivering work that performs in the real world, not just in award shows.
That growth has translated into long-term momentum and lasting partnerships, including client relationships that have remained intact since the agency’s earliest days, 20 years ago. Gatesman has repeatedly been recognized among the region’s fastest-growing companies while maintaining a 100% client satisfaction rating since 2022. The agency continues to support brands and organizations across healthcare, transportation, retail, nonprofit, higher education and consumer sectors through a relentless focus on measurable impact, strategic thinking and results that move business forward.
That momentum continues today through a series of significant new business wins. In 2026, Gatesman was selected as agency partner for PA Brews, a first-of-its-kind statewide brand initiative launched in partnership with the Pennsylvania Malt and Brewed Beverage Industry Promotion Board to unite and promote Pennsylvania's brewing industry under a single platform. The agency was also named advertising agency of record for Cincinnati Metro, the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA), expanding Gatesman's growing transportation portfolio and reinforcing its expertise helping public transit systems connect with riders, communities and stakeholders.
Internally, Gatesman has also built a culture designed for longevity and leadership. Today, the agency’s leadership team is more than 70% female, reflecting a continued commitment to mentorship, inclusion and creating opportunities for the next generation of communications and creative leaders.
But according to agency leadership, the real milestone isn’t just longevity, it’s relevance.
“In this business, you don’t get to 20 years by standing still,” said John Gatesman, CEO of Gatesman. “You get here by staying sharp, leaning in to change, and continuing to deliver when expectations get higher and competition gets tougher. We’ve never been interested in simply being around. We’ve always wanted to build an agency that matters.”
That mindset has helped Gatesman thrive through some of the industry’s most transformational years, from the rise of social and digital marketing to seismic shifts in consumer behavior, media fragmentation and changing expectations around creativity, culture and performance.
While the agency has evolved, its foundation has remained consistent: bold thinking, collaborative partnerships and a belief that strong relationships create stronger and more impactful work.
“Our best work has always come from trust,” said Shannon Baker, President of Gatesman. “Clients trust us to push thinking further. Partners trust us to solve problems creatively. Our team trusts each other to challenge the work and get to a higher standard of excellence. That culture of trust is what built this agency and what continues to fuel it.”
The milestone also serves as a launch point for what comes next.
“As proud as we are of the last 20 years, we’re even more energized by where we’re headed,” said Gatesman. “The industry will continue to change. Technology will continue to evolve. Expectations will keep rising. That’s the exciting part. We built Gatesman to adapt, compete and keep proving itself over and over again.”
Because for Gatesman, proving it was never a one-time thing.
For more information, please visit gatesmanagency.com or keep up with #TeamGatesman on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or X.
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 60 independent marketing agencies, IPREX, a global communications network and most recently the Ad Age Small Agency Network. Gatesman is also proud to be recognized as one of Ad Age’s Best Places to Work, reflecting its commitment to a strong, people-first culture.
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