CREATIVITY TO DRIVE CONNECTIONS

We can steer more visitors to your website and we can make your “digital footprint” more vibrant, but our TRUE focus is helping you create that AUTHENTIC connection that drives communication between your and your customers.

WHO ARE WE

Blackgate Creative is a boutique digital marketing agency in Cleveland OH powered by a rag-tag co-op of freelancers, artists, illustrators, marketers, storytellers and dreamers who are fueled by the idea that digital DOESN’T have to mean disconnected, cold and impersonal. Once you’re through the GATE, your business will be poised to take the kind of action that builds lasting relationships with clients and customers.

GATHER

Let’s get back to the core reasons why you started your business in the first place. What was that spark that made you take action?

ANALYZE

We’ll take all of those ideas, put them through the tumbler and toss them against the wall to see what sticks to start forming the “something” that got lost along the way.

TRANSFORM

We’ll help you clarify your message so we can create the visuals and copy that best tell your story. We’ll find the BEST vehicles to deliver your message, gas ’em up and go!

EXECUTE

Once the real “you” is facing outward, we’ll use the best tactics to get in front of your target audience and connect your products/services to help solve their problems.

WE CREATE TO CONNECT

When I was about six years old, the coolest thing in the world to me was lumbering up into the passenger seat of my uncle’s semi. After I buckled in, he’d fire up the engine, and we would hit the road. The stories, his “friends’“ voices on the CB radio, the smell of the old diesel engine, the view from high atop that mighty rig… it could have been 20 minutes or 2 hours, didn’t matter, those are memories that are as vivid today as they were back then!

A lot of things resonate from those little drives but none more than my uncle’s music collection. I’d investigate rack after rack of cassettes while asking questions, scrutinizing labels, and absorbing the sounds emanating from the speakers. When I heard the songs on cassettes labeled “Washington” or “California,” I knew that I was involved with something special—something more.

These tapes and tunes were him. They were part of who he was. More than that, they fostered a connection between the two of us, and even though the miles of road meant that we were separated by distance… we were connected through the music.

That connection I had with my uncle is one of my fondest memories.  That feeling of authenticity hasn’t faded and I want that connection for our clients.

Look, it’s no secret that every business is looking for a meaningful connection with customers.  In today’s technology-driven marketplace, most companies have an online presence but, there is a definitive disconnect between their online persona and their authentic selves.

Your brand should reveal who you are and what you’re truly passionate about–and we want you to get the most out of it.

We offer the foundational services most agencies glance over.  You can’t start your cross-country haul without all of the component parts that comprise your rig. As you navigate our website, you’ll see—and learn about—industry terms like “SEO,” “Digital Marketing,” “Targeted Content,” and “PPC Advertising.”  These are just some of the tools we use to build those connections between you and your customers.

Ready to roll? You pick the tunes… let’s hit it!

chris loeser - founder blackgate creative

Blackgate Creative worked tirelessly to meet our ecommerce website golive date. With a truncated time table due to a falling out with another agency, the guys at Blackgate stepped in & saved the day. Not only did we go live when we needed to to meet investor demands, their efforts helped us flip the site/company to another venture capital group. The site was optimized top to bottom & helped us make the exact impression we needed to make. Thanks guys, you rock!

CJ. D. – Shoreline Media, Cleveland OH
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HAPPY CLIENTS

WHAT WE DO

Build connections and foster relationships based on communication. We care about our clients' success and creating ``beyond the initial sale`` value in everything we touch!

RESPONSIVE DESIGN

Responsive design is an approach to web design which makes web pages render well on a variety of devices and window or screen sizes. Content, design and performance are necessary across all devices to ensure usability and satisfaction.

CONTENT MARKETING

Content marketing is a marketing strategy used to attract, engage, and retain an audience by creating and sharing relevant articles, videos, podcasts, and other media. This approach establishes expertise, promotes brand awareness, and keeps your business top of mind when it’s time to buy what you sell.

DIGITAL STRATEGY

A digital marketing strategy includes search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), which is often referred to as PAID SEARCH like Google Adwords, social media marketing and e-mail marketing.

SEO / WEBSITE OPTIMIZATION

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of affecting the online visibility of a website or a web page on a SERP (search engine results page) often referred to as natural or organic relating to the traffic/users who visit the site as a result.

SEM / PAID SEARCH

Search engine marketing (SEM) is a form of Internet marketing that involves the promotion of websites by increasing their visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) primarily through paid advertising

SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media marketing is the use of social media platforms and websites to promote a product or service. On a strategic level, social media marketing includes the management of campaigns focusing on connecting with users to establish and build brand confidence.

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MEET THE TEAM

A few of the folks who are hard at work bringing your ideas to fruition
Chris Loeser
Chris Loeser
Founder & Head Janitor
Spent many a year developing digital marketing initiatives both in-house and at various Cleveland marketing agencies.
Kevin Fagan
Kevin Fagan
Art Director
Kevin Fagan joins Blackgate Creative as both their lead graphic designer and resident DJ.
Kevin Martin
Kevin Martin
Biz Ops
When he's not out on the water, Kevin spends his time helping SMB owners level up their marketing and operations.
Jeff Mcmanamon
Jeff Mcmanamon
Project Cordinator
Selling homes by day and laying out digital marketing strategies by night... he might be Superman. We've never seen them both in the same place at the same time.
Rebecca Ferlotti
Rebecca Ferlotti
Content Marketing Manager
Rebecca is a long-form content specialist and research nerd who is a proponent of all things 90s (minus Furbies).
Chris Leo
Chris Leo
Comms Chief
Former teacher/professor turned communications/pr team lead. If there's a story to be told, Chris will find a better way to tell it.
Scott Zimmer
Scott Zimmer
Creative Director
Scott Zimmer joins Blackgate Creative as their Creative Director and let's be honest, he's WAY too into Batman.
Bryan Kaye
Bryan Kaye
Social Media Lead
With unique insights into healthcare and pharma, Bryan lends his expertise to transforming regular 'ol social media into effective B2B / B2C communication channels.
Blackgate worked tirelessly to meet our ecommerce website golive date. With a truncated time table due to a falling out with another agency, the guys at Blackgate stepped in & saved the day. Thanks guys, you rock!blackgate-creative-local-cleveland-seo-services-client
CJ Douglas
Shoreline Media, Cleveland OH
Blackgate are experts in the digital marketing arena. They worked with us extensively at night/on weekends to help launch our start-up and continued to monitor and make noteworthy recommendations long after we were up & running...agency-testimonial-two
Natalia Smith
– Plug Play Print, Cleveland OH
I hired Blackgate to build a website for my trucking/logistics company. Since it has been up and running I have received many compliments on the professional look my website has and I have signed new clients as a direct result of the eye catching layout and Adwords campaigns...agency-testimonial-three
EJ Sanders
– Buckeye Logistics, Cleveland OH

LATEST NEWS

Every now and again, we like to write or share some nuggets of industry intel that we think will benefit our clients' local Cleveland SEO strategy, website performance, paid search optimization or new ways to integrate social media into your marketing efforts.