Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Mark.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am known for my hands-on, shoes-off approach. My career began working as part of the three person creative team that introduced the aerobic step to gyms around the globe. From sports/fitness marketing, I changed direction by going to work for The Arthritis Foundation where I got my first opportunity in publishing with their national magazine, Arthritis Today. This led to a stint with Time Warner handling the Weight Watchers brand. I began to realize that after years of shifting between advertising and publishing, I had developed some unique skill sets which changed how I approached projects. My agency experience made me very brand-focused. My process helped me to shape thoughtful, iconic, and memorable images, while my editorial work trained me to understand how everything tells a story.
Along the way, I got to work with some incredible people. Smart and talented, we made each other better and elevated the work. When it was time to try to create an agency of my own, I was fortunate enough that they were willing to make the leap of faith together with me. Em Agency, is the result of our original group of six. And six years later, there are now 10 of us. Simply em-azing!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Six of us left an established agency together with no idea we could do it. We stuffed ourselves shoulder to should into a room above my sister’s garage. We started on day one with zero clients, a $30k outlay for equipment, and 5 people on my payroll that had all taken a huge risk to join me. I was feeling some pressure.
Several years later as we had built out our office space and were beginning to think about growth, Covid hit. Coming out of that, having noticed a huge gap in the local market, I decided to start a community magazine. At a time when most people were all being told everything is going digital and that is all that matters, people thought I was nuts. But for years later, the magazine has more then quadrupled in size and has become a cherished institution in the area.
We’ve been impressed with Em Agency, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Em Agency is a boutique brand-focused creative group. If you want click funnels, spam texts, or AI email marketing? Great—go somewhere else. Those approaches—while trendy—we believe mostly annoy people so we stay clear. We focus on the work that makes people aware of you—and more importantly—what makes them like you. We’re a fun and dedicated group of storytellers and artists. We’re honest—sometimes to a fault. We believe that every business has a distinct space in the market, and should have a unique voice. We build brands we believe in. Maybe even the brand you believe in.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
While I have no interest in guns, I have a world-class ray gun arsenal. Maybe it’s the aesthetic? I’m honestly not sure why. But when the aliens invade, I’ll be ready to zap, pow, and pew back to where they came.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://emagency.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/emagencyinc
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/EMagencyinc
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/emagencyinc
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@emagencyinc
- Other: https://thelocalwg.com
