Lewis Communications, a thriving independent agency with offices in Nashville, Birmingham, and Mobile, is known for helping brands grow in awareness, demand and revenue. Their approach goes beyond marketing—clients see them as partners who truly understand their businesses, and employees find a workplace that fosters creativity, collaboration, and personal growth.
CEO Ellen Faulkner, a longtime leader at Lewis, has played a key role in shaping the agency’s vision and culture. She’s passionate about blending creativity with data-driven insights, ensuring Lewis remains at the forefront of modern marketing. A champion of work-life balance, she embraces the Southern lifestyle—where even a morning of fishing in pajamas can coexist with running a fast-paced agency.
Jennifer Carter, with 17 years at Lewis, brings a deep expertise in media and business intelligence. She’s instrumental in integrating data and strategy, ensuring clients get results-driven solutions. She also leads initiatives that blend professional excellence with community impact, reinforcing Lewis’s philosophy: “Do Something Great.”
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Agency Background and History
Lewis Communications is known for helping clients grow—whether in revenue, reputation, or brand awareness. They deeply invest in their team’s growth as well, fostering a work culture where people stay for years. Their approach is rooted in strategy, creativity, and a strong sense of community.
What the Agency is Best Known For
Lewis is recognized for being deeply involved in their clients’ businesses, working beyond the standard agency role. A client once remarked, “Y’all don’t just play hard and work hard. Y’all love hard,” emphasizing their dedication to both business and personal well-being. The agency is passionate about building strong relationships with both clients and employees.
The Agency’s Main Strengths
The agency prides itself on being highly strategic, seeing insights that others miss, and being relentless in solving problems. They dig deeper into data to uncover insights and are willing to challenge initial assumptions to find the best solutions. Their ability to adapt, coupled with their subject-matter expertise, makes them stand out.
Why Independence is Important
As an independent agency, Lewis Communications can remain flexible, move quickly, and focus on what truly benefits their clients. They aren’t beholden to corporate structures or shareholder expectations, allowing them to focus on what matters most: the quality of their work and their relationships with both clients and employees.
Why Brands Should Work with the Agency
Lewis Communications is “scrappy,” deeply invested in their clients, and fosters a culture of collaboration. Their team members are passionate about what they do, leading to creative tension that fuels innovative solutions. They also work well with in-house marketing teams, filling gaps and strengthening their clients’ capabilities. Additionally, their business intelligence expertise helps clients make data-driven decisions on marketing spend and effectiveness.
Why Talent Should Consider the Agency
Lewis has a culture where people stay for the long haul. They embrace a “do something great” philosophy, which applies to both professional and personal endeavors. Employees engage in meaningful work, from award-winning campaigns to community impact initiatives. The agency supports passion projects and volunteer efforts, providing paid time off for community service and engaging in philanthropic efforts.
Weirdos, Misfits, or Underdogs?
The agency sees itself as a mix of weirdos and underdogs. Their team is diverse, intensely passionate, and highly focused on their craft—qualities that might seem obsessive to outsiders. They’ve recently experienced significant growth and are gaining momentum, making them an underdog to watch in the industry.
The Marketer and/or CMO That They Want to Say Hello To
Carter would love to connect with Jennifer Hyman, CEO of Rent the Runway, as she’s a customer and follower of the brand’s journey. Faulkner, meanwhile, admires Shelly Lazarus, former Chairman and CEO of Ogilvy, for her leadership and contributions to women in advertising.
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Lewis Communications
Lewis Communications on LinkedIn
Ellen Faulkner
Jennifer Carter
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Doug Zanger is the founder and editor-in-chief of Indie Agency News. He is also the founder of the Creative Bohemian consultancy, lives in the Pacific Northwest and is insufferable about it.
