The Forte’ Marketing Group began well before its launch in 2003. It was an idea several years in the making. How would an agency look if it did things for clients that many others were not willing to do? How could it offer a level of insight to organizations that they simply couldn’t access before? So, with his wife and a newborn baby at home, Jamie Warren took a calculated risk. It paid off.

Why the name Forte’? Pronounced “four-tay”, this noun of French origin means “a strong point in which one excels.” The adjective form of the word literally means “loud”—kind of like our logo’s red color. The company was built on the ability to figure out what brands really need and then to make it happen. That’s our strong point. Authoring the strategy, creativity and the media execution together. Advertising, the Web, Public Relations, Creative Design, Point of Purchase—these are all subsets of ‘Marketing.’ Hence the name.

Since its start, the agency has doubled its billings five times. Today, Forte’ serves companies with typical revenues under $250 million which lack a C-level marketing executive. While client results are the true measure of success, the agency has garnered several awards along the way. A team of marketing, creative and media pros move brands forward for the agency’s ever-growing roster of clients.

The agency’s office is in the Birmingham suburb of Homewood. Most of Forte’s team choose to live there as well and embrace the “Live-Work” spirit and charm of this colorful community.