Gatesman

Gatesman is a full-service, integrated advertising agency headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with an additional office in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 2006 by John Gatesman, the agency was built on the premise of delivering everything a large agency can offer — but faster, smarter, and with a more personal, collaborative touch. Over nearly two decades, the agency has grown into a recognized force in integrated marketing, earning distinction as one of Ad Age's Best Places to Work and ranking among the Top 100 PR Firms in the Nation. The agency operates across eight core departments and maintains a 9-plus year average client tenure, reflecting its commitment to long-term partnerships and sustained performance. Gatesman serves clients across a range of industries, with notable work in healthcare, retail, and nonprofit sectors. Key clients include UPMC Health Plan, UPMC Health Systems, UNFI's SHOP 'n SAVE retail banner, and CORE (the organ and tissue donation organization). The agency functions as an Agency of Record (AOR) for several of these partners, providing deep strategic integration across paid, earned, and owned media channels. A defining differentiator is its proprietary Hacking Human Behavior™ model, a three-stage methodology encompassing exploration, interpretation, and activation. This framework leverages behavioral science, audience analytics, and media insights to develop campaigns that capture attention, drive measurable action, and continuously optimize for ROI. Creative, strategy, media, public relations, and digital disciplines operate in parallel rather than in silos, enabling faster go-to-market execution and more cohesive cross-channel messaging. Gatesman is notably majority female-led, with 70% female leadership across its organization — placing it among the top 1% of North American agencies by this measure. The agency positions this diversity as a strategic advantage, particularly in reaching female consumers who drive the majority of buying decisions in many categories. The agency reported 100% client satisfaction scores in its 2024–2025 client data and has received multiple Addy Awards for creative excellence. It has been recognized repeatedly as one of the Best Places to Work in Pittsburgh and has been named a fastest-growing company on multiple occasions. With a foundation built on behavioral insight, integrated execution, and a results-first culture, Gatesman positions itself as a strategic growth partner for marketing leaders seeking both creative impact and accountable, data-driven outcomes.