The Storyteller Agency Co. Founder Kesi Gardner Disrupting Industry Traditions with Tailored Offerings

The marketing and advertising industry has changed rapidly in recent years in response to emerging technologies. The Internet revolutionized how companies could reach consumers, and industry expert Kesi Gardner says that more change is underway. Consumers are turning away from the cut-and-dry marketing strategies of the past in search of authentic, eye-catching campaigns that have meaning. Gen Z is leading this movement as some of the most socially conscious consumers. In this landscape, many companies are unhappy to adjust their marketing approach. However, Kesi argues that developing authentic advertising can help companies showcase how they differentiate from their competitors. Brands must master this skill to survive in today’s hyper-competitive marketplace. Visionaries like Kesi are paving the way for more companies to respond accordingly. 

Kesi Gardner has over 20 years of experience crafting brand identities in marketing and advertising. With an academic background in visual and strategic communications, she is uniquely talented at building stunning images that convey a company’s DNA. She honed her skills in these areas and learned many other skills when she began working for a prominent nonprofit after university. In this fast-paced, autonomous environment, Kesi directed major events and curated speeches for international diplomats. She was able to secure a role in one of Jamaica’s top three agencies afterward. Since her previous role was outside of the Caribbean, Kesi brought valuable insights. Her experience working in the United States informed her of how the local market could improve. It also inspired her to empower emerging brands in her home country. 

As Kesi evolved professionally, she became well-known for her multidisciplinary knowledge in graphic design, writing, and content curation. Her dedication to producing high-quality work didn’t go unnoticed. Kesi quickly became the head of client services for a popular agency.  

However, a new issue came to the surface. Although Kesi had the skill set for high-caliber roles, few organizations could afford to pay her what she was worth. Having come from a hard-working family, Kesi thought that she could eventually find an employer who recognized her value. Unfortunately, in addition to being underpaid, the industry was preventing her success long-term. The male-dominated landscape made it nearly impossible to move up the corporate ladder and carve out a space for Kesi’s non-conformist approach. As a result, she took a leap of faith and founded The Storyteller Agency Co. 

Entrepreneurship was daunting initially. Kesi was concerned about competing with larger players, and the pandemic only exacerbated these worries, but the global shakeup also prompted her to look within. Kesi pinpointed her core skills and pivoted to remain agile in the face of adversity. As a single mother, Kesi needed to provide for her family. She was also determined to spearhead mentorship opportunities for women in the field and educate small businesses about the best strategies. 

Kesi’s early work focused on social media and PR campaigns for influencers. Most of the accounts she acquired after opening her business are still with her today. Kesi prides herself on this fact because it embodies her hands-on, custom approach to every client. Her passion for considering a client’s unique needs is one of the reasons why her services help them stand out above the noise. Kesi enjoys sharing her work with the public and democratizing the industry. She wrote the book Creatives of the Future to help individuals monetize their online presence. Kesi provides refreshing, unconventional solutions overlooked by other agencies. 

“Advertising and marketing is an exciting field with so much innovation and creativity, but much of the potential to disrupt the market is lost when companies take a cookie-cutter approach,” Kesi says. “Companies can’t keep using a decades-old strategy for modern-day consumers if they want to thrive in an oversaturated market.” 

In the coming year, Kesi aims to expand The Storyteller Agency Co. outside of Jamaica and the Caribbean. As the business grows, Kesi is looking to partner with strategic investors interested in surpassing outdated marketing approaches with an education portal that will teach brands the art of storytelling.(http://stan.store/kesigardner)