Daniel Berkal
Partner
MA 2003, Moody College of Communication
The Palmerston Group is a leading qualitative research firm, translating human behavior into confident brand decisions.
Yareli Esteban
Founder & CEO
BBA 1999, McCombs School of Business, Life Member
Strategar is a performance-driven marketing and communications firm that accelerates growth through insight-led strategy, creative excellence, and disciplined execution. Partnering with public and private sector organizations, the agency delivers measurable results across strategy, creative, media, and language services.
Top 25 Winner
2024, 2025 Returning Winner
Texas Exes Business Member
Noelle Cooke
President
BA 1996, College of Liberal Arts
The Arterie is a full-service advertising agency servicing film, television, live events and brands globally.
2024 Returning Winner
John Tatum
Owner & CEO
BA 1989, College of Liberal Arts
Genesco Sports Enterprises, Inc. (GSE) is a strategic marketing consultancy and sponsorship activation agency. GSE develops sales & marketing solutions for corporate clients through the optimization of their investments in sports, entertainment, and music. They provide best-in-class capabilities in strategy, negotiation, property/talent management, experiential marketing, retail activation, digital & social content development, and measurement solutions. GSE's client roster includes PepsiCo, Anheuser-Busch, Verizon, Visa, American Airlines, Lowe s, and BMW (partial listing).
2023 Returning Winner
Yareli Esteban
President & CEO
BBA 1999, McCombs School of Business
Strategar is a minority- and woman-led team that takes pride in developing marketing strategies that are grounded in human connectedness.
2024 Returning Winner
Marlow Nickell
Co-Founder & CEO
BA 2015, College of Natural Sciences
Grocery TV is an in-store retail media network with over 21,000 displays in grocery stores across the U.S. and over 200 retail partners, including Cub Foods, ShopRite, and Winn-Dixie. Retailers partner with Grocery TV to connect their in-store retail media strategy, engage with shoppers, and generate incremental revenue. Brands leverage Grocery TV to reach over 74 million shoppers in brick-and-mortar stores.
2024 Returning Winner
Carrie Stein
Co-CEO
BBA 1995, McCombs School of Business
Bridge Insights & Media is a media-focused advertising agency founded on research and strategy. They serve everyone from large, national brands to local and regional businesses.
Sean Hall
Founder & Co-Owner
BA 2009, College of Liberal Arts
Amanda Hall
President & Co-Owner
BS 2009, Moody College of Communication
Bradley Wright
Sales Director
BA 2009, College of Liberal Arts, Life Member
Daniel Lothringer
Content Director
BA 2009, College of Liberal Arts
Mightier Content specializes in connecting lawyers to clients in need of their services. When people have legal problems, they turn to the internet for solutions. Their work ensures that they find their clients, and as a result, firms have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
Elaine Garza
CEO
BA 1994, Moody College of Communication, Life Member
Giant Noise is a Texas-based public relations, creative, and digital media agency, founded in Austin in 2006. They blend Southern roots with national reach, helping their clients connect with audiences and deepen engagement. Their work fosters culture and connection, delivering impactful results that build brands and drive success while staying true to their values and commitment to community.
2023 & 2024 Returning Winner
Charles Brown
Co-Founder
BS 2000, Moody College of Communication, Life Member
Ben Steckbeck
Co-Founder
BBA 2000, McCombs School of Business, Life Member
Founded in 2009, mixtape is an award-winning, full-service marketing and advertising agency. The Austin community is their first love, but their clients span many regions and industries. They range from startups they help name to Fortune 50 household names.
