Putting the Audience First: How USG Strengthened Customer Connections

situation

For nearly 125 years, USG has been a leader in manufacturing building materials, becoming the largest distributor of wallboard in the U.S. and the top manufacturer of gypsum products in North America. While USG is  a well-known name in the industry, they sought a deeper connection with their audience to reinforce their leadership position and drive greater engagement.

solution

USG serves two distinct but equally important audiences: contractors and architects. While both influence purchasing decisions, their priorities differ significantly—architects prioritize design aesthetics and risk mitigation, while contractors rely on USG for durable, high-quality materials and technical expertise.

Traditionally, USG's marketing took a product-first approach, segmenting campaigns based on materials rather than audience needs. To foster stronger connections, we flipped the script—placing the audience at the center of our strategy.

We developed two targeted campaigns:

Architect-Focused Campaign: Highlighted design excellence and reliability, aligning with their preference for aesthetics and risk aversion.

Three iPhones display USG social media posts featuring a lit skyscraper with the text 'Some follow trends. With 2,739 active patents, we create them.', a modern office interior with 'When every detail matters, a trusted partner matters more.', and a wooden building framework with 'The best designs consider the world around them.'

Contractor-Focused Campaign: Emphasized product performance, durability, and expert support to meet their practical, on-the-job needs.

Three smartphones displaying USG construction-related social media posts showing workers handling building materials with captions about strong foundations, innovation, and trustworthy partnerships.Construction worker with protective gloves and eyewear installing metal framework for ceiling panels in a commercial building.

Results

Our creative and media strategies were tailored to resonate with each group, ensuring messaging spoke directly to what mattered most to them. The result? A more engaged audience, a stronger brand connection, and better overall campaign performance—all by putting the customer first.

200%

increase in CTR*

96%

decrease in cost per engaged web session*

*Meta Traffic Campaigns

USG Sheetrock Contractor Background

explorE what we do best.