Founded in 1989 by Mark Nuss and Joe Kubic, Adcom has quickly grown to be one of Cleveland’s leading marketing, advertising, and analytics firms. What began as a simple office in the Flats has expanded to a firm with over 100+ employees and a brand new office in the Western Reserve Building on West Ninth and Superior.
Throughout Adcom’s 32-year history, the company has elected to stay in the Warehouse District, embracing the dynamic vitality of the neighborhood and harnessing the energy of all that’s on the horizon (like Sherwin-Williams’ new headquarters!) In working with some of the best companies in Cleveland and in the Midwest, the team at Adcom has always loved working in a space that brings energy and embraces change, and the Warehouse District has proven to be the perfect location for all that and more.
Check out our interview with Jeff Culliton, Adcom’s President of Engagement Strategy below to learn more about the firm and the best parts of working in the heart of downtown Cleveland.
1. First, share a little about yourself! (Where did you grow up? Are you a Cleveland native?)
I’m a Buffalonian who moved to Cleveland to attend John Carroll. I left the city after graduation, but returned 15 years ago and live in Lakewood with my wife and two kids.
2. What is the name of your business and what industry is it in?
Adcom. We are a marketing, advertising and analytics firm. The company was first founded in 1989 and has grown from the early days of two college friends, Mark Nuss and Joe Kubic, into a formidable marketing communications firm. Adcom has always been laser-focused on results, and today we have over 100 talented employees and an excellent leadership team.
3. How long have you worked in the Warehouse District?
I’ve worked in The Warehouse District for almost five years.
4. What do you love most about your job?
As an organization, we are bursting with talent across our spectrum of services. I find it incredibly energizing to work and learn from my teammates and collaborators. Seeing creative sparks turn into outcomes-based campaigns is really cool to me.
5. What sets your business apart from others like it in the area?
Adcom lives in a relatively new swimming lane between traditional marketing firms and consulting firms. Being able to line up the essence of a brand with the right message, audience, and tactics is both art and science. Our teams can visualize, strategize, create, ad execute everything in the lifecycle and then map that journey against core business data. We can measure shifts in business in a way that makes us a critical partner. We are in a strong position because all those capabilities are under one roof.
6. In your opinion, what are the 3 key ingredients of running a successful local business?
· Innovation – Our size allows us to be nimble, but also forces us to constantly innovate to stay ahead of the market and continue our local growth.
· Cultivation of an engaged team – Team members that are both challenged and empowered drive growth and take that positive energy outside our doors and into the neighborhood, both for work and play.
· Operational diligence – It may not sound sexy, but constant rigor around the x’s and o’s of the business allows us to stay healthy and opportunistic.
7. What is your favorite thing about the neighborhood? What makes it unique?
The Warehouse District is a bit of a chameleon, sitting in between the downtown business district and the fun of the Flats. It can take on multiple roles. This makes it great for the beginning, middle, or end of a day. The location gives you access to everything.
8. What does working in a historic building signify for you? (What does this add to your business?)
Our building has so much external and internal personality. It is interesting in a way new construction just is not. We renovated our new space such that our teams can work within modern conference rooms with the latest technology while walking on 100-year-old hand laid tile floors. That is unique. We feel strongly that an organization’s workspace plays a significant role in the ability to attract and retain talent. Having our workspace in an historic building, within an historic district, adds a dynamic layer that is hard to replicate elsewhere.
9. What’s the best part of working in the heart of downtown Cleveland?
Access. Access to live, work, and play. Access to great restaurants and bars. Access to the vibrancy of all the other companies that surround us. There is a tangible energy returning to downtown and I expect it to continue to strengthen and surpass pre-pandemic levels.
10. Finally, what is the best kept secret of the Warehouse District?
It’s a tie for me between the tiered courtyard at Worthington Yards and Johnny’s Little Bar. The courtyard is a gorgeous, architecturally interesting oasis, while Johnny’s amazing burger and gritty atmosphere makes it one of my favorite places in the city. The juxtaposition of those two places within blocks of each other is quintessential Cleveland.