Business Details
31 Years
experience
Award-Winning Advertising & Marketing Solutions
GDC Marketing & Ideation has redefined the intersection of research, strategy, and creative execution for nearly 30 years. Founded in 1995, we combine data-driven insights with innovative storytelling through proprietary methodologies like MirrorBranding to create audience-centric campaigns. Our work spans iconic brands such as Whataburger and Texas' 'Don't Mess with Texas' campaign, alongside nonprofits and government entities.With specialized divisions in digital media, video production, and experiential marketingincluding state-of-the-art digital truckswe deliver integrated solutions that drive measurable engagement. Our employee-first culture, recognized by the Wall Street Journal and San Antonio Business Journal, fuels sustained client relationships and industry-leading creativity.
Services
Marketing Strategy
Brand Development
Creative Services
Public Relations
Media Buying
Experiential Marketing
Digital Campaigns
Video Production
Research Services
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- 30 years of experience creating award-winning campaigns for brands like Whataburger
- Proprietary MirrorBranding process ensures audience-specific messaging
- In-house experts in digital, experiential, and traditional marketing channels
- Recognized as 2022 Business of the Year by San Antonio Business Journal
- Employee-first culture drives consistent account management and innovation
What people say
Award-winning work
Results-driven campaigns
Creative excellence
Dedicated team
Measurable impact
Services
Marketing Strategy
Our strategic services combine qualitative and quantitative analysis to create actionable marketing plans. Using tools like MirrorBranding workshops, we align brand values with audience insights to develop targeted strategies that drive engagement and measurable business outcomes for clients across industries.
Brand Development
Through patented MirrorBranding processes, we help organizations discover their core mission and values. This collaborative approach shapes authentic brand identities that resonate with target audiences, as demonstrated by successful transformations for clients like Trinity University and WaterFleet.
Experiential Marketing
Our award-winning experiential team creates interactive brand experiences using digital trucks and live events. These immersive campaigns for clients like Texas Department of Transportation and Amazon generate measurable engagement through innovative activations that cut through traditional advertising noise.
Creative Services
Full-service creative production includes logo design, multimedia campaigns, and bilingual content development. Our in-house team has earned multiple ADDY and Telly awards for work spanning television commercials, digital assets, and integrated marketing campaigns that deliver client results.
Public Relations
PR services focus on strategic communication, crisis management, and media relations. With backgrounds in journalism and corporate communications, our specialists build brand authority through earned media placements, influencer partnerships, and targeted messaging that enhances organizational credibility.
People
Beth Ochoa
Chief Executive Officer
With 25+ years at GDC, Beth Ochoa leads as CEO, pioneering digital expansion during the pandemic. She founded Recon Digital Media and GDC Studios, and champions workplace innovation while serving on Rise Recovery's board.
Carey Quackenbush
Chief Ideation Officer
As Chief Ideation Officer, Carey developed the patented MirrorBranding process and leads creative strategy. With experience at BBDO Houston and an MBA in marketing, he creates emotionally resonant campaigns for clients like Procter & Gamble and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Michele Brown
Chief Operating Officer
Michele Brown oversees daily operations with 25 years of marketing and PR experience. She previously co-founded CartStart, a retail sales app, and returned to GDC in 2020 after leadership roles in children's mental health and education sectors.
Ana-Mara Phillips
Chief Strategy Officer
Leading research initiatives, Ana-Mara Phillips leverages bilingual expertise to connect brands with diverse audiences. Her background includes corporate communications strategy for IBC Bank and Texas Department of State Health Services, with a focus on inclusive messaging.
Yesenia Gonzalez
Media Director
Media Director Yesenia Gonzalez brings two decades of experience in strategic media planning. With expertise across consumer goods, healthcare, and automotive sectors, she has earned multiple industry awards for innovative campaigns at organizations like Sinclair Broadcast Group and Univision.
Questions
What industries do you specialize in?
We serve diverse sectors including healthcare, government, nonprofit, consumer packaged goods, and corporate clients. Our experience spans Fortune 100 companies to local startups.
What makes your agency different?
Our patented MirrorBranding process combines with in-house experiential assets like digital trucks to deliver integrated campaigns that drive measurable audience engagement and business results.
Do you work with national clients?
While based in San Antonio, we serve clients nationwide through our hybrid work model and specialized divisions including Recon Digital Media and Geomedia.
How do you measure campaign success?
We use Nielsen tracking, media confirmation reports, and custom metrics aligned with client objectives to demonstrate ROI through both quantitative data and qualitative audience feedback.
What creative services do you offer?
Full-service creative production including branding, video content, digital campaigns, bilingual materials, and award-winning experiential activations developed by our in-house team of designers and producers.
Videos
