30 Years of Marketing: How Things Have Changed

Advertising has always been and will always be the strategic communication process used to promote or sell products, services, or ideas. It is about crafting and delivering messages that influence consumer behavior by informing, persuading, and reminding people about a brand or product. Not every advertising agency lasts, especially when the industry is constantly evolving. Many have come and gone, but JB Communications (JBC) proves our expertise and adaptability, thriving for 30 years and counting.

Founded in 1994 as a New Orleans advertising agency, we started as a firm with a simple yet powerful mission: to help businesses define their brands, achieve their goals, and become vital members of their communities. Three decades later, JBC has become a full-service marketing agency with the same mission but enhanced abilities and a broader reach. As we mark this milestone anniversary, we reflect on the incredible journey that has brought us here.

The Early Days: From Veloxes to Digital Transformation

In 1994, the advertising landscape looked very different. Print advertisements, direct mail, and traditional media dominated the scene. JBC worked with tools like Veloxes — photographic prints used in pre-digital design processes — to craft creative campaigns for our clients. It was a time-consuming and intricate process, but one that we mastered. Traditional media was our bread and butter.

As the internet emerged, we quickly recognized the potential for transformation. Undeniably a game-changer in advertising, this new technology brought fear and confusion to many agencies. Despite the steep learning curve, we embraced digital marketing early, moving from static print-based approaches to dynamic, interactive strategies. It was a risky but necessary step that set us apart from competitors and solidified our position as an innovative team.

Today, JBC specializes in creating websites, managing online campaigns, Google ads, leveraging social media platforms, and more. Evolving from old-school design techniques to using advanced digital tools that deliver measurable results was just one of the countless ways we have adapted our services to stay at the forefront of trends. We knew that whatever our clients needed, we had and could become it.

Resilience Through Challenges: Hurricane Katrina and COVID-19

Operating in New Orleans means embracing the city’s spirit of resilience, and JBC’s history is punctuated by two significant challenges that tested our mettle. One of the most influential hurdles came with Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the devastating natural disaster that reshaped the city and forced many companies, including ours, to rebuild from the ground up.

JBC leaned into creativity and commitment to service, working alongside local organizations to help them recover and reconnect with their audiences. Even now, we remember the determination and fortitude it took to weather this storm, figuratively and literally.

More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented changes to the world, including the marketing industry. As everyone moved online at an accelerated pace, our digital prowess became more crucial than ever. We pivoted to new strategies, ensuring every message we put out supported people during uncertain times.

A Stronger Team and Elevated Expertise

Perhaps the most significant area of growth at JBC has been the development of our team. Since the beginning, we have always believed that advertising requires creativity, innovation, and a results-driven mindset. However, we never limit ourselves to singular thinking, welcoming individuals with diverse backgrounds, knowledge, and skill sets.

Over the years, we have assembled a group of passionate professionals who bring unique perspectives to the table, allowing us to offer more comprehensive and effective campaigns. Where did that take us? We are now a certified Google Partner and Meta partner, boasting a reputation for digital marketing strategies that work. How did we do it? Talent, flexibility, and determination.

Without a doubt, only through “team” can our expertise become more robust and multifaceted.

Expanding Across the U.S.

Three decades have brought us to a point where we have built relationships with companies across many different industry sectors and locations. It was a long process, but what began as a New Orleans-based firm now serves clients nationwide.

In 2024, we opened a new location, adding Denver advertising agency services to our portfolio. This expansion positions us better to support our growing base of Western U.S. clients and continue our evolution. By bringing our expertise to new markets, we promise that more businesses can benefit from JBC’s approach to marketing.