Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Gilmartin.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chris. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I had the “bug” to do my own thing pretty early on, and in 2006 I finally felt like I had the experience, and confidence, to do so. Having been on the client side (Orbitz) where we did not rely on agencies, I was always a bit skeptical about working with agencies. My feelings were based in a lot of the cliché, and frankly ill-formed, reasons – “they don’t know our business, they only look for ways to spend the budgets, not provide return on them.” Then, ironically, I was recruited by an agency and saw the value that an agency could provide. I also tried to help that agency bring a client-side mentality to the work we provided, which eventually became the vision I realized when starting Lever Interactive.
The combination of the client-side and agency experience allowed me to see things from both sides, and gave me the basis by which I would run Lever Interactive – run campaigns like your client-side with the insights and shared learnings you get from agency-work.
It’s been really important to me to be received as a different kind of agency, and the team has done a tremendous job of helping us realize that vision.
Has it been a smooth road?
Lever is the first company that I have both started and run, so there have definitely been challenges along the way. And while there were many sleepless nights early on, I think my timing on starting the company was good. In 2006, online marketing expertise – especially search marketing – was in high demand, so it allowed me to grow quicker than I expected. I certainly remember some rough patches, but looking back over the last 11 years, I have been fortunate to have a talented team along the way, and I am very proud of what we have done together.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Lever Interactive – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Lever Interactive is the premier independent online marketing agency, specializing in performance-based marketing management. We help companies connect with the right audience and realize the full potential of their marketing investment. I want our clients’ decision to work with us to be the smartest (and last) decision they make when it comes to their marketing partnerships. We want our clients to know that our decisions are in their best interest, rather than the interests of any stockholders, holding companies or media partners.
We help brands, companies and organizations – especially those in highly competitive fields – break out of the clutter and connect with their customers through the effective management and implementation of online marketing services. Our experienced team maximizes our clients’ return on investment through unparalleled attention to detail, uncovering opportunities which larger agencies or in-house teams often overlook. Offering best-in-class online marketing management services, including SEM, SEO, social media management and advertising, display advertising, mobile, video, web analytics and creative services.
One way we are different from our competitors: With SEM being the largest budget item for many of our clients, we are extremely proud to be recognized as a certified Premier Google Partner – a distinction given to less than 3% of agencies in North America.
We also consistently hear from clients that we truly become an extension of their team, internalizing their business goals and providing support beyond just the channels we manage. Transparency is one of our core values and it always leads to a stronger client relationship – one based in candor and empathy.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Chicago is an amazing city. From an agency standpoint, I am always (pleasantly) surprised at how small the city feels and how connected digital marketers are to each other. There are so many great companies based in Chicago, and the talent those companies attract has made Chicago a great place for marketers and companies to establish themselves.
What I like least… I am not crazy about the traffic.
Contact Info:
- Address: 701 Warrenville Rd., Suite 200
Lisle, IL 60532 - Website: www.leverinteractive.com
- Phone: 630-435-6400
- Email: info@leverinteractive.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lever_interactive/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leverinteractive
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/leveronline
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
