Female (Em)Powered
Christy Vandergriff
President & Creative Director
Julie Barnett
Vice President & Account Director
The Boss
Babes of GWL
Some might not be aware of an exciting, notable change that took place in 2020: GWL acquired new owners! Long-time employees Creative Director Christy Coker Vandergriff and Account Director Julie Barnett now serve as co-owners while maintaining their existing, respective job titles and roles.
Our agency’s transition of ownership is significant: Historically a profession dominated by men, the realm of marketing and advertising continues to see more and more women like Vandergriff and Barnett emerge as leaders.
Christy believes things have changed measurably and for the better since she started her career:
“While I would like to say that agencies are becoming more diverse due primarily to internal change, the clients are really the driving force behind more diversity in the workplace. Our clients want a diverse creative agency because they understand that this diversity leads to the creation of better, more relevant work. Ultimately, this work culminates in campaigns that more fully reflect the world and people who inhabit it.”
Julie, who has been with the agency for fifteen years, adds:
“Christy and I are honored and excited to carry the GWL legacy forward while looking for new ways to embrace, diversity, inclusion, and growth. And while GWL continues to evolve, our commitment to our client remains the same. They come first, no matter what.”
Of Christy and Julie’s partnership, former owner Gary Lay reflects:
“While it’s difficult for me to step away from the company I grew from a one-man agency to what it is today, it’s also easy because I’m fully aware of the capable hands I’m leaving it in. Christy and Julie make the perfect team. As GWL and its employees embrace change and look toward the future, I know that the values that I founded the agency upon so many years ago—work, loyalty, honesty, teamwork, and transparency—will remain integral to not only the work culture, but also client relationships.”