Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Hood.
Hi Jamie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey into marketing and advertising started with a seed planted early – watching Bewitched as a kid and being intrigued by Darren Stephens’ work in advertising. I can’t point to a specific moment, but something about that world drew me in. By 8th grade drama class, I knew this was my path. I had an assignment to promote a movie or play, and I created this concept featuring Tattoo from Fantasy Island as Elvis. The creative process hooked me completely.
I pursued that passion at the University of Georgia, earning my degree in Advertising. I supplemented my studies by taking marketing classes to understand the business side and graphic design classes so I could speak the language of the designers I’d work with – I was a copywriter by trade and wanted to be well-rounded. That cross-disciplinary approach has been invaluable, allowing me to bridge strategy, creative, and execution throughout my career.
Even before graduation, I landed an internship at Peachtree Advertising, the in-house agency for the Atlanta Market Center, where I wrote and worked with the designer on an ad campaign that won a BPAA Peach Award. I’m eternally grateful to Robin Kelley for the opportunity and experience there. That early validation meant everything.
After graduating in 1987, I dove straight into the industry at Communication Channels, Inc., a division of Argus Press Holdings. They published over 50 B2B magazines and a handful of consumer publications, including Business Atlanta, which was later sold to Georgia Trend. I worked my way up from Promotion Manager to Promotion Director, managing a team of 16 people with a $2 million annual budget – we were a high-volume operation cranking out hundreds of brochures, direct mail pieces, advertising media kits, and press releases annually.
In 1994, I was ready to launch my own agency with a partner, but life had other plans – he got an offer he couldn’t refuse. So I pivoted, taking a Creative Director role at AGCO Corporation, the farm equipment manufacturer in Duluth, GA. Then in 1997, that same former partner approached me about joining his logistics and transportation company as Senior Vice President and partner. I took the leap.
What followed was one of the most rewarding chapters of my career – full of lessons both good and bad. Over 24 years at Action Expediting, which became Action Logistics Group, I wore every hat imaginable – from leading all our marketing and branding initiatives to managing customer accounts and overseeing operations. I was instrumental in growing that company from $3 million to $40 million in annual revenue before a successful exit in 2021.
But here’s the thing – I never stopped doing what I loved. I launched Jamie Hood Creative back in 1995 as my side hustle before side hustles were cool and kept it running throughout the years. Today, it’s my full-time focus, serving small to medium-sized businesses nationwide with everything from brand development and web design to SEO and content marketing. I’ve also coordinated and produced highly successful special events over the years – my music background, business acumen, and knack for logistics all come together there. Honestly, I feel like I’m doing my best work yet for my clients.
There’s another thread running through all of this though: music. I’ve been part of the Atlanta music scene since the late 1980s. In the early ’90s, I played with the Z-93 Fatt Mattress Band, and today I perform regularly with several bands – my main groups being The Squirrelheads, String ‘n Bones, Doug Deluxe & The Rodeo Clowns, The Missile Toes (yes, a Christmas party band), and The Helpers. That creative outlet has always been essential to who I am.
In 2007, my wife, Christie, and I combined our love of music with our desire to give back by founding the Fare Thee Well Foundation, a completely volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our mission is simple but meaningful: we produce several music events each year – most notably our Holiday Ball and Mardi Gras Ball – and use 100% of the profits to provide music camp scholarships for kids who couldn’t otherwise afford to attend. We want every child to have access to music education and the joy it brings, regardless of their financial circumstances. It’s become one of the most fulfilling things we’ve done.
So today, I’m living this beautiful convergence of everything I love – running my agency, playing music, and making a difference in the community. After 35+ years in this business, I’m still as excited about creative problem-solving and helping businesses grow as I was back in that 8th grade drama class.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Far from it. The advertising world can be tough – it’s competitive and not everyone operates with the level of integrity I believe in.
The transportation and logistics industry brought challenges I never anticipated. There were plenty of white-knuckle days – times when we weren’t sure if we could cover the fuel bill or make payroll. The industry itself was relentless: constantly-evolving regulations, insurance rates that skyrocketed after 9/11, volatile fuel costs, persistent driver shortages. Every year seemed to bring a new curveball.
I also learned some hard lessons about partnerships and the importance of having everything clearly documented and legally sound. Not every business relationship works out the way you hope, and I came away from that experience wiser about protecting myself and my interests while still being able to trust and collaborate with good people.
As you know, we’re big fans of Jamie Hood Creative | Marketing. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Jamie Hood Creative | Marketing is a full-service digital marketing agency based in Madison, GA, serving clients across the United States and internationally. But here’s what really sets us apart: I bring 35+ years of strategic marketing experience to every client engagement – from Fortune 500 corporations to small family businesses – and I’ve lived through every stage of marketing’s evolution, from traditional print and advertising to today’s digital landscape.
What we do is straightforward: we help businesses grow. Brand development, web design, SEO, content marketing, social media management, PPC, email marketing – the full spectrum of digital and traditional marketing solutions. But how we do it is what makes the difference. Every strategy is tailored to the unique needs and goals of each client. No cookie-cutter approaches, no one-size-fits-all packages. I’ve been on both sides – I’ve been the client managing million-dollar budgets, and I’ve been the agency partner trying to deliver results. That perspective shapes everything we do.
I’m most proud of the fact that we deliver enterprise-level expertise with boutique-level service. My clients get me – not a junior account manager, not a revolving door of team members. They get someone who’s grown a company from $3 million to $40 million, who understands P&L, who’s sat in their chair and knows what keeps them up at night. And because I’m not trying to scale to hundreds of clients, I can give each one the attention and strategic thinking they deserve.
We’re known for being intuitive and adaptable. The digital landscape changes constantly, and having lived through decades of industry shifts – from the dot-com boom to social media’s rise to AI integration – I know how to pivot quickly and keep clients ahead of the curve rather than playing catch-up.
What I want people to know is this: we’re not just executing tactics. We’re engineering brand success. We deliver on time, within budget, and with a level of strategic insight that comes from someone who’s actually built businesses, not just marketed them. And we do it all with integrity – that’s non-negotiable.
How do you think about happiness?
From a business perspective, it’s watching my clients grow. There’s nothing quite like getting that phone call where a client thanks me for the positive impact we’re having on their business. After 35+ years, that never gets old – it’s why I do this.
But music? That’s pure joy. There’s no feeling like the energy you get back from a crowd when they’re completely dialed in with what the band is doing. To say it’s euphoric is not overstating it. You’re creating this shared moment, this connection, and everyone in the room feels it. That’s magic.
And then there’s the Fare Thee Well Foundation, which might be the most rewarding of all. Watching kids come alive when they discover the joy of playing music, singing with friends, being part of a band – it’s transformative. At one of our camps years ago, we joked that the kids got in touch with their inner rock star and we got in touch with our inner cry-baby. What they were doing would bring tears to our eyes so often.
We had one kid tell his mom one evening that music camp was way cooler than space camp. You simply can’t beat that. Knowing that we’re opening doors for kids who might never have had access to that experience – that’s what makes me happy. It’s all connected really: helping businesses succeed, creating joy through music, giving kids opportunities. It’s about making a positive impact, whether that’s in someone’s bottom line or in a child’s life.
Contact Info:
- Website: jamiehood.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571745554055
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamierhood/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nutleysquirrelhead
Image Credits
Pic 1 – Melissa Goehner
Pic 2 – Shea Jarmin
