CHICO — I had an enjoyable time visiting digital marketing agency Method Marketing this week.
The performance-focused agency was founded in 2016 by Chief Executive Officer Wes McMahon, a Chico State graduate. Robert Boston, his business partner and the company’s chief operating officer, merged Robert Boston Consulting with Method Marketing in 2020.
Director of Business Development and Client Relations Travis Souders gave me an office tour. I loved the office vibe. It was obvious the employees are happy there and there is a very casual, friendly atmosphere. I could feel the creativity flowing.
I talked with Souders and McMahon. Both men grew up in Paradise and went to Paradise High School, but didn’t know each other back then. They also both graduated from Chico State. They were both very humble and easy to talk with. I liked how McMahon was dressed in jeans instead of wearing a suit and tie. It was clear all of the employees are treated equally, no matter their work titles.
Both men are happy to be living in Chico. McMahon moved to the Bay Area for awhile after college but hated the long commute.
“I’d leave for work at 6 a.m. and not get home until 6 or 7 p.m.,” he said. “I spent so much time in the car.”
McMahon was happy to move back.
Souders got his masters degree last year from Chico State. He loved attending the university and uses the journalism skills he learned there at Method.
“Personally, it’s always rewarding for me to see the efforts we put in go directly back into the community I live in,” Souders said. “For example, we made an animated commercial for a client here. My 4-year-old daughter saw it on YouTube, and now she recognizes our client’s brand out in the real world because of it. That’s pretty cool.”
Souders loves living and working in Chico.
“I’ve also built a lot of great relationships in this community over the years I’ve been here,” he said. “I think all of us here feel that way. It’s a great place to raise a family.”
Souders enjoys the outdoors in Chico and his very short commute.
“I get to ride my bike to work, and it takes me 10 minutes,” he said. “We have one of the best grown-up play areas right here in our backyard, with Bidwell Park. And we have a great, old-school college town feel still. I like that as the city has grown, it feels like I’ve been growing up with it.
“The same could be said for Method.”
McMahon met Boston while working for Chico Bag, which makes reusable bags, totes and packs. The two men started some businesses together before joining together at Method Marketing. They currently have 15 employees.
Their clients are giving and have donated to charities. Everyone tries to help the community.
“One of our clients, the Work Training Center, is a nonprofit organization, and its business units, which are also our clients, solely exist to fund the charitable efforts of the WTC,” said Souders. “The WTC provides programs, facilities and staff support to help adults with developmental disabilities in Butte County.”
The staff at Method Marketing also donate to the Boys & Girls Club.
“We like to help,” said McMahon, adding: “Everyone here is super talented.”
McMahon has worked in marketing for 20 years. Souders said the team makes the numbers work for their clients and sets them up for success.
“We have clear parameters around what success looks like and will work with them,” said McMahon.
The team works with clients for a long period of time and develop relationships with them. They currently have 40 clients and focus on relationship building.
“We see ourselves as partners with people we work with,” said McMahon. “We don’t make money if they don’t.”
Souders said the employees are very focused on their clients.
“We are willing to take risks with clients,” he said.
The name Method Marketing comes from how the employees are “focused on being processed oriented, data driven and have a methodological approach to to marketing,” according to McMahon. “It’s how we measure and adjust to deliver maximum results.”
More information about Method Marketing can be found at methodmarketing.com.
Jennie Blevins writes a business column every week. To submit ideas or suggestions or ask questions, email her at jblevins@chicoer.com.