Charlotte marketing communications firm Wray Ward was named a finalist in the 2014 Business North Carolina Small Business of the Year Awards, an annual competition that honors the contributions small businesses make to the state’s economy. Recognizing a rapidly changing marketplace, Wray Ward has reinvented itself in order to continue reaching consumers in new and different ways.

“Technology is changing everything—and not just year by year, but seemingly minute by minute,” said Jennifer Appleby, president and chief creative officer of Wray Ward. “For a company established nearly 40 years ago as a traditional advertising agency, emerging into a digital-dominated world could be scary—but instead, we’ve viewed it as an opportunity. Our continual reinvention of ourselves has never been more obvious, more exciting, or more critical to our business success than it is now.”

In the past two years, the firm’s senior leadership team restructured its work model, eliminating the traditional advertising agency structure in favor of a model that is more reflective of today’s client needs and more adaptable for the future. New services have been introduced such as consumer behavior and trends research and content marketing, a group that includes a full-service video production team. Nearly every hire is digital or digitally-connected, and digital services have been expanded. Technology has also broken down borders, with the firm’s client roster growing to include companies whose headquarters are in New York, Miami, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale and Atlanta.

“Wray Ward today is more nimble, global, on-trend and in growth mode than ever before,” Appleby said. “It’s all thanks to technology and our strategic plan to re-shape our company around change.”

This marks the 19th year that Business North Carolina magazine has honored small businesses to recognize the contributions they make to the state’s economy. Judges look for companies that are independently owned, have been in business more than five years and have fewer than 100 employees. At least one owner should be active in the company’s daily activities. This year’s winner was Asheville-based Highland Brewing Company.

About Wray Ward
Wray Ward is the home of passionately creative thinkers. The creative marketing communications agency serves clients in categories from home to healthcare and automotive to energy, with a specialty in building brands that elevate the style, comfort and function of the American home. With a deep integration across service offerings, including insights, strategic brand planning, media planning and buying, advertising, digital, public relations, video production and search, Wray Ward delivers intelligent, engaging and results-driven work.
 
The agency’s clients include Belgard® Hardscapes, BRITAX USA, Crescent Communities, Dal-Tile Corporation, Duke Energy, Huber Engineered Woods, Glen Raven Inc. and its Sunbrella® brand, La-Z-Boy Casegoods, TUUCI®, VELUX® and WIX® Filters. wrayward.com | @wrayward