merit
1951
Birmingham, AL; Mobile, AL; Nashville, TN
Lewis is a full-service, independent creative and media agency laser-focused on fueling sustained business growth through a seamless blend of data-driven strategy and bold creative. Since 1951, Lewis has built a reputation for delivering breakthrough results with our integrated approach. We combine audience intelligence—leveraging bespoke data insights to target high-propensity customers—with powerful, resonant creative across all touchpoints. Whether it’s branding, marketing, content production, or optimizing return on ad spend (ROAS), we deliver measurable outcomes that make brands grow and thrive. In short, Lewis specializes in crafting audience-informed, creatively charged growth strategies—marketing that is as intelligent as it is impactful.
88
Underdog
As an independent agency in the South, Lewis has never had the scale, budgets, or global reach of holding company giants. We may be the underdog, but that’s exactly how we win. We break the industry norm of hierarchy and burnout culture by trusting our people with autonomy, flexibility, and freedom to do their best work. We also shatter the “always on” stereotype with five weeks of vacation, 100% paid healthcare, and a culture that values well-being.
“At network agencies, there were A teams and D teams. At Lewis, everyone is on the A team.” - S.C.
Our culture thrives because of independence. Employees who came from network agencies describe them as rigid, siloed, and disconnected — where raises depended on a parent company hundreds of miles away. We may be the underdog, but that’s exactly how we win. At Lewis, there’s no red tape. We’re agile, personal, and collaborative. Our Do > Clubs fuel bravery and innovation, and our BLAC program + HBCU partnerships open doors for diverse talent.
“At a network, I felt like a cog in the wheel. At Lewis, leadership knows me, values me, and celebrates my work.” - C.M.
We may not have the size of a network, but we have something better: a culture where everyone matters and every idea gets a seat at the table. Being the underdog lets us redefine what success looks like.
Our underdog status has powered results others can’t match. We may be the underdog, but that’s exactly how we win. With a voluntary turnover rate under 6% (vs. an industry average of 15–25%), our people stay, grow, and do their best work here. Clients, from regional challengers to national brands, choose Lewis for the same reason: we’re hungrier, faster, and more invested.
“There’s less bureaucracy here. Decisions happen faster, and creativity doesn’t get stuck in layers of approval.” - S.S.
Independence lets us define success on our own terms, building one of the South’s most admired agencies not by playing the big guys’ game, but by proving there’s a better way to run an agency. Being the underdog isn’t a limitation—it’s our advantage.
Lewis was founded on the belief that a world-class agency could thrive in the South without sacrificing culture or creativity. That independent spirit remains our compass today.
Our biggest challenge has been competing against larger holding companies for talent and clients. We’ve overcome it by leaning into our independence — offering greater flexibility, personal connection, and creative freedom.
Independence is the future of advertising. For us, it means staying agile, adapting quickly, and keeping people at the center of the work. Independence isn’t just our structure — it’s our superpower.
