By: Marcy Paulson

Distinguishing yourself in the rapidly evolving realm of digital marketing while maintaining a solid commitment to ethical standards is no small feat. Yet, with her trailblazing agency, Vyzionary, Cristin McGrath leads by example. 

McGrath’s in-depth experience and innovative strategies in the digital landscape reveal that she is more than just a founder. She is a visionary aiming to reshape the agency model.

Cristin McGrath and Vyzionary: A Journey From the Ground Up

McGrath’s story is not one of overnight success. It is a tale of a tumultuous ascent through digital marketing’s highly-competitive terrain.

McGrath began her career in public relations with the Philadelphia Eagles but quickly transitioned into social media. Her formative years in the industry were marked by a series of strategic roles, including Media Director at Cashmere Agency, Senior Director at Socialfly, and Associate Director at Horizon Media, where she launched the agency’s community management and consumer engagement department at the age of 25. 

McGrath’s professional journey included impressive milestones, from leading digital marketing efforts for Chevrolet’s 2014 Silverado Strong campaign — the brand’s first social-first 360 campaign — to producing Investigation Discovery’s innovative omnichannel influencer blitz, which drove a 5-point lift in viewership. Over 15 years, she honed her marketing skills by collaborating with prestigious brands like TBS, Amazon Music, Stoli Vodka, General Motors, StarKist, A&E, SheaMoisture, and BMW.

In 2023, McGrath’s strategy and business development skills brought her to Movers+Shakers, an agency known for its expertise in social media marketing. However, a significant public relations issue arose during her tenure, prompting her to reevaluate her role within the company and ultimately decide to pursue a new direction.

After stepping down from what she thought would be a long-lasting role, McGrath felt the need for a change. This experience had deeply impacted her view of the marketing industry. 

“Consumers and clients truly have no idea who is actually building their campaigns and marketing material,” McGrath explains. “The fact that brands are investing millions into agencies without any assurance that a press scandal or ethical crisis won’t jeopardize their entire enterprise simply highlighted the need for me to create a solution grounded in my own principles and values.”

That new direction challenged her to do what she had longed to do for years. Now was the time to re-launch Vyzionary as a relatable and affordable engagement-first marketing agency with the ethics and strategy she had envisioned for so long.

Setting Vyzionary Apart

McGrath saw a crucial gap in the marketplace. She noticed that many agency founders lacked direct experience in social media and comprehensive digital marketing, leading to a disconnect in client-agency relationships and project executions.

“When agency founders have never been in their employees’ shoes, it can lead to a toxic culture throughout their organization, unhappy clients with unfulfilled promises, and a burnt-out team,” McGrath explains. “As a result, client and employee turnover rates can increase, and those founders seemingly cannot understand why.”

Determined to address these gaps, McGrath founded Vyzionary with a clear vision. She wanted to create an agency that was service-oriented and deeply immersed in the nuances of digital strategy through firsthand experience.

At its core, Vyzionary is much more than a digital marketing agency. It’s a testament to what happens when experience meets innovation — a powerhouse capable of transforming the ordinary into extraordinary.

Committed to providing high-quality tactics, morally upright initiatives, and affordable prices, McGrath is reshaping marketing services for small companies and startups. Vyzionary’s innovative approach aims to help brands enhance their social impact while managing their marketing budget effectively.

Since its inception, Vyzionary has worked across diverse sectors, including entertainment, automotive, hair care, beauty, tech, and consumer packaged goods. This wide-ranging expertise broadens the agency’s portfolio and enriches its strategic approach with multifaceted insights and versatility.

DGMxVYZ: A New Era in Marketing and Media

In August 2024, a groundbreaking partnership emerged in the marketing and media landscape when McGrath, the visionary founder of Vyzionary, and Matthew Matossian, the dynamic CEO of Diamond Grade Media, joined forces to launch a transformative joint venture: DGMxVYZ. This strategic alliance marks a significant milestone for both companies, combining their unique strengths to create a reliable force in the industry.

Vyzionary, known for its cutting-edge strategy and consumer engagement tactics, will bring its expertise in digital marketing to the table. The agency’s reputation for delivering innovative, ethically-driven strategies aligns seamlessly with the vision for DGMxVYZ. Meanwhile, Diamond Grade Media, renowned for its exceptional commercial production and live event capabilities, will enhance the venture with its high-quality production services.

This collaboration aims to scale both companies, offering clients an integrated approach combining strategic insight with high-impact media production. As the industry awaits an official announcement, the anticipation builds for what DGMxVYZ will bring to the world of marketing and media.

Cristin McGrath’s Passion Leads to Personal Service for Every Client

One of McGrath’s primary motivations for starting her own venture was her desire to cultivate client relationships based on authenticity and transparent communication. Her experiences working under various agency leadership teams highlighted practices she felt could be improved, particularly in fostering a more ethical approach to client engagement and employee development.

Reflecting on her transition from the corporate ranks to a thriving entrepreneurial journey, McGrath does not find herself yearning for the past. In her opinion, the chance to pursue projects driven by passion and a shared vision makes the journey worthwhile.

As she brings ethics and effective strategy to the agency space, Cristin McGrath is doing much more than running an agency. By leveraging her network and collaborating with her most trusted connections, McGrath and Vyzionary are changing how small businesses and startups can succeed in digital without breaking the bank. 

Published by: Martin De Juan