Tony Wright's Journey 

Navigating a 25-year career in the agency landscape has been akin to a roller coaster ride—filled with exhilarating highs, challenging lows, and a fair share of unexpected turns. I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse array of clients, from fledgling startups to industry-leading Fortune 10 corporations. To better understand the scope of my experience, allow me to take you on a brief journey through my career.

I began my career as a journalist, fueled by an insatiable curiosity and a love for writing. However, the practicalities of life eventually nudged me towards a more financially stable path. Always intrigued by advertising and communications, I made a pivotal career move in 1997 by enrolling in graduate school at Texas Tech School of Mass Communications—where I now have the honor of serving on the advisory board.

The timing was auspicious; it was the dawn of the Internet age, colloquially known as "The Bubble." At Texas Tech, I ran writing labs and taught as a teaching assistant. Those labs had unusually fast internet for the time, providing me the resources to immerse myself in the world of web development and e-commerce. My academic endeavors culminated in a thesis focused on the Uses and Gratifications of E-commerce, a novel topic for the institution at the time.

Upon graduating, I joined Weber Shandwick, the world's largest PR firm. My initiation was intense: I was immediately responsible for managing American Airlines and Hewlett Packard's search engine optimization (SEO) programs, despite lacking formal education in the field. My evenings were spent buried in research, learning the nuances of SEO. And I became enamored with it, particularly its unparalleled potential for generating ROI.

As my role at Weber Shandwick expanded, I took on managerial responsibilities and broader digital strategy tasks for major clients. But my experience wasn't limited to search; I was deeply involved in crisis communication. During 9/11, I was at the helm of American Airlines' digital response and even ghostwrote the CEO's public letter. That episode, among others, solidified my expertise in crisis management and reputation control.

Years later, a tantalizing opportunity presented itself: leading a search engine marketing firm. Despite initial enthusiasm, it quickly became apparent that the agency was mismanaged. The experience taught me valuable lessons and paved the way for the founding of my own firm, WrightIMC, in 2007. Initially intended to be a consultancy, WrightIMC transformed into a full-service agency thanks to demand from former clients. 

For more than 16 years WrightIMC has empowered countless clients to achieve online profitability. Beyond digital campaigns, I’ve overseen ADDY award-winning TV commercials and facilitated multi-million dollar deals. My broad range of experience, from startups to Fortune 10 enterprises, equips me to assist businesses of all sizes and navigate even the most intricate corporate environments.

My latest venture, TexasCMO, brings me full circle, allowing me to refocus on my original love: marketing strategy. Despite enjoying strategic roles at WrightIMC, there's something uniquely satisfying about having an authentic seat at the strategy table. And I’ll have the amazing team at WrightIMC backing me up.

Over the years, I’ve received numerous accolades, but the most cherished is being named an Outstanding Alumnus of Texas Tech University in 2017. It's a reflection of not just my career, but also of the academic institution that shaped me.

I believe that there’s more to each of us than just our professional journeys. I'd relish the opportunity to learn about your company and explore how I could add value. Let's connect soon and discuss how we can collaborate for success.