We’re a scrappy ad agency that delivers business results through collaboration and creativity.

As a Medtronic Sr Marketing Manager, I have collaborated with GrayMatter on several projects including the development of messages gleaned from customer research they conducted about surgical smoke and wound healing Their approach to medical device marketing is very methodical They came up to speed on the project quickly because of their experience writing for our audience And did so while staying on budget and on time They have delivered incredible results through smart messaging that resonates with our customers

I've had the pleasure of working with GrayMatter on multiple campaigns and each time I've been amazed by not only their unconventional creativity, but most notably, their level of commitment to my business It's quite impressive how the team took the time to understand the intricacies of our complex medical devices and services before they even hit the drawing board They listen, they learn, and they deliver beyond expectations

What I really liked about working with GrayMatter is their sense of partnership - a shared interest in getting us where we needed to go The creative meetings were expansive and open, generating all kinds of ideas to make sure nothing was passed over

We like working with companies at the forefront of their industries. Innovative companies that care about making meaningful change. Not surprisingly, they have complex stories to tell. We collaborate closely with them to craft compelling solutions that grow their business.

We encourage our clients to collaborate with us at every level so that they are active participants in the strategic thinking, ideation and development process. This allows them to be fully involved in a common creative vision before we enter the production phase.

As a close-knit group of high-level strategists, designers, writers, and thinkers, our experience and collaborative spirit allows us to work with our clients uniquely in ways that move marketing and business goals forward. Experience convinces us it’s the marriage of our skills and capabilities and our clients’ skills and capabilities that leads to truly meaningful results.

We’re a friendly bunch. We enjoy each other’s company, for real. In between discussions about creative briefs and copy decks, we shoot the breeze about our families, pop culture, about what we made for dinner. We check in on each other. We congratulate, console, encourage, and razz one another. We give each other slack when it’s needed and “real talk” when it’s called for. We’re consummate professionals who understand that life rarely fits neatly into a 9-5 schedule. It’s not unusual on any given day to find one of our dogs or children taking up some office real estate. We are curious and complex, introverted and extroverted, “A” types and “B” types. GrayMatter is the kind of place where all are welcome and appreciated. It’s a vibe we’re proud of and one we nurture through flexible schedules, a kitchen stocked with snacks, and cold beers in the fridge. As some wise, anonymous person on the internet once said, “Don’t pick a job with great vacation time. Pick one that doesn’t need escaping from”.

Marketing, Media, and Making Guac: My Summer Internship at GrayMatter

After recently completing my freshman year at Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School, I was striving to find a place this summer that would keep me enriched in a working environment and help me to grow as a learner It was at GrayMatter that I was able to grab a seat and take a deep dive into the real world of marketing, media, and work collaboration I sat in on client meetings, proofed client documents, created an agency Instagram account, researched other marketing social media, and took professional headshots of the company team for their website Each task gave me a new perspective of agency life We even ended some days with a bowl of my homemade guacamole and a good conversation

At the beginning of the summer, I spent a lot of my time researching how ad agencies across the world presented themselves on social media, specifically through Instagram I looked at their content, their followings, and their clients to get a better idea of what made their accounts successful for their businesses With this, I gathered up all the information and presented it to the agency senior management team to offer ideas on how we could grow a digital following and present ourselves to clients through media Ideas about content possibilities were passed back and forth We discussed how we should post, when we should post, and why we should post I then set up the business Instagram account and began producing content Based on our reactions to the research I had conducted on other agencies, I thought of creative approaches to present GrayMatter for Instagram With interesting layouts, color schemes, and visuals, we found ways to make the agency account feel cohesive with the company itself

Being a Journalism + Design major, I am taught to think about how layout and design are important in the process of displaying the correct look and feel to any sort of story, company, or message that is being presented to the public My experience with the work on GrayMatter’s Instagram account and research on social media platforms gave me a better understanding of how companies can use the social media world to reach out to specific audiences and curate a polished look that will build up their business and create stronger client connections The way in which a company presents itself provides an open window for their clients to gather an idea of who they are and what they stand for Their presentation is part of their story and it is important for companies to make it as authentic as possible

While a lot of my internship was spent around digital media and research, I was still given opportunities to sit in on meetings with some of GrayMatter’s clients Whether it was over Zoom or in person, these meetings gave me the chance to see how clients and agencies communicate with one another to share ideas and gather information I was given the task to take notes during our time with a client and was encouraged to give my own insight on some of the creative ideas that were being bounced around the room This gave me the chance to practice my own communication skills and really experience the thinking process that comes with working with clients

The professional, yet casual feel to the office made me feel at ease I wasn’t afraid to ask questions about my work and offer up new ideas to the meetings They made me feel as though I was part of the team, while they listened to my thoughts and gave me insightful feedback Everyday at GrayMatter offered me new chances to explore the world of marketing and communications in ways I hadn’t experienced before

When given the task to take the company headshots, I had a great deal of creative liberty and freedom to explore my approach to the project The senior management team trusted me in what I thought would look best in regards to look and feel, as well as color scheme and decorative editing elements We had a lot of fun playing around with backdrops, outfit changes, and layouts

This was my first time professionally taking photos of any kind It is exciting to know that my work will be used on the company website and in pitch decks GrayMatter made the experience very enjoyable They let me take my time with the photo prep and helped me with the direction of the shoot This photoshoot gave me a look into the ins and outs of a more professional shoot and left me with ideas on how I could improve my work in the future

This summer, I was given the opportunity to explore and discover new techniques that will push me further in the field of communications and design I am excited to be leaving with a greater understanding of the work environment and an enriched skill set that will help me continue on to my next step in my educational and professional journey