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CHAPTER 9

Best Places To Work: Media & Marketing Startups

Marketing has come a long way since the “Mad Men” era of giant agencies. Marketing uses technology solutions—whether that’s through AI, automation, or video—to help businesses grow. 

The Midwest tech scene is home to some innovative marketing and media startups, using technology to make solutions more accessible and effective to marketers. Many of these marketing startups have become great places to work. Competitive pay, great benefits, talented folks…

Check out some of the reasons why these media and marketing startups are some of the best places to work in the Midwest. 

 

Midwest Tech: The Best Media & Marketing Startups

 

Waymark

Waymark logo
Detroit
1 - 50 employees

Located in Detroit with a pretty sweet downtown office, Waymark is a startup that’s making great videos accessible to everyone through intuitive and powerful products. They’ve gained a reputation as a top startup that’s one of best places to work. Check out why: 

  • People are kind, talented, hardworking and fun to be around
  • Rewarding environment
  • Opportunity to work on a great product
  • Leadership genuinely cares about employees and their wellbeing

 

Atomic Object

card-logo-atomic-object
Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor
51 - 200 employees

Atomic Object is a Michigan software company that builds custom software. The company is an employee-owned Certified B Corp, and they're one of the best places to work. Period. Atomic Object operates under a co-CEO model with Mike Marsiglia and Shawn Crowley at the helm. (They were also the winners of the 2020 Midwest Purpose Award for Top CEO). Mike and Shawn play an important role in living out the values and cultivating a great culture at Atomic Object. And their culture is one of the reasons why "Atoms" love working there. Here are a few more:

  • People, people, people. They're thoughtful, caring, and just some of the best around 
  • Leadership have a holistic view, drive culture, and are generous
  • Benefits

Casted

casted logo
Indianapolis
1 - 50 employees

Based in Indianapolis, Casted is a podcasting platform specifically designed for B2B marketers. Founded in 2019, the company is relatively young, but they're building an amazing product and team. Here's what people love about working at Casted:

  • Culture that is inclusive and safe, empowering people to think creatively
  • Collaborative environment
  • Flexible work environment—firm believers that we should work with our schedules, not around them
  • Amazing team that's fun to be around
  • P.S. They love podcasting so much they include them in their job descriptions. Super fun

 

Koddi

card-logo-koddi
Ann Arbor
51 - 200 employees

Koddi is an Ann Arbor startup that’s creating award-winning ad technology. Their platform provides a network for brands to connect with consumers and drive revenue through various tactics. They’re also one of the best places to work, recognized for their driven and hardworking people. Here are some other things that make life at Koddi great:

  • Benefits
  • Opportunity to learn a lot as an engineer—invested in growth as a developer
  • Employees feel valued, especially during difficult times in pandemic

 

Stealth Venture Labs

stealth-venture-labs-logo
Detroit
1 - 50 employees

Stealth Venture Labs is West Coast startup that’s expanding in the Midwest. Stealth specializes in helping brands scale through marketing technology solutions. This fully remote startup is known for its great culture, making it one of the best places to work. Here’s why:

  • People are smart, driven, fun and talented
  • Collaborative environment
  • Work/life balance
  • Supportive leadership

 

BoxCast

boxcast logo
Cleveland
1 - 50 employees

BoxCast is a Cleveland startup that’s creating the technology to easily and effortlessly live stream events. Pretty important technology right now, and let’s be real, virtual events aren’t going anywhere. As the BoxCast product has grown, so has their team, and the company has become one of the best places to work in Cleveland, and the Midwest. Here’s why:

  • Strong values that are lived out (collaboration, integrity, innovation, to name a few)
  • Good communication
  • Managers care about employees
  • Amazing and friendly people—great relationships

 

Blue Wheel

Blue Wheel Logo
Detroit
51 - 200 employeesBlue Wheel is creating advanced digital marketing, content production and Amazon advertising solutions to help brands scale and grow business. This marketing startup has a strong culture that makes it one of the best places to work. Here are a few other things people love about working at Blue Wheel:

  • Career development program
  • Work flexibility
  • Diverse work projects
  • Growth opportunities
  • Benefits that include 401k match, summer Fridays, parental leave

 

AdAdapted

adadapted_logo
Ann Arbor
1 - 50 employees

Headquartered in Ann Arbor,  AdAdapted is a small marketing startup that delivers data and insights to consumer packaged goods companies and retailers. The company has a fast-paced culture that encourages innovation. Here are some other great aspects of life at Ad Adapted:

  • Flexibility
  • Work/life balance
  • Growth potential
  • Great mentors

 

Quikly

quikly logo
Detroit
51 - 200 employees

Quikly is a Detroit startup with a digital marketing platform that leverages elements of consumer psychology to deliver highly effective solutions. The company has been growing since its founding in 2012, and they're also one of the best places to work:

  • Amazing team that cares—and is fun to be around
  • Supportive work environment
  • Competitive pay & benefits, plus more perks