Leading the Charge for Purposeful Marketing in Los Angeles

Amidst the streets of Los Angeles, a city renowned for its creative energy and spirit of innovation, Michelle O’Grady, Founder of Team Friday, a creative agency propelled by marketing prowess, has risen to prominence, reshaping the marketing landscape.

In Michelle’s transformative journey, she immersed herself in the world of influential brands, utilizing consumer experiential marketing to help drive sales and leave a mark on the industry. Her success prompted significant introspection, as she questioned whether marketing has the potential to go beyond simply “selling.” Combining this with the legacy of community-driven entrepreneurship of her family, she set out to explore innovative marketing strategies that promoted authenticity and belonging.

Determined to unlock marketing’s untapped potential for the good of society, Michelle delved into fundamental questions: Could marketing transcend commerce and serve a broader purpose? How could it cultivate belonging and experiences over passive consumption? Using these questions as a guide, she embarked on a mission to challenge conventional marketing norms, steering marketing towards a sphere encompassing impact and empathy.

At the core of Team Friday, lies a deep-rooted belief that marketing should integrate into an organization’s fabric and transcend beyond solely external communications. Having an authentic curiosity about people, places, and ideas, Michelle and her team cultivate fertile environments for impactful initiatives to flourish. Taking into account the interconnected nature of all aspects, their approach emphasizes the importance of authentic communication and the creation of strong teams to accomplish meaningful objectives.

In the face of challenges and setbacks, Michelle’s dedication to personal integrity stands clear. With an emphasis on patience and vision in leadership, she acknowledges the arduous nature of the entrepreneurial journey, demanding fortitude and self-belief. Her tenacity and resolve proved to be the cornerstone of Team Friday’s growth and success, catapulting it to its current status as an influential agency. In her own words, Michelle expresses her guiding principles, “Curiosity and respect are the keys to meaningful communication.” and “Uncovering stories can shape our reality and contribute to our understanding of what is there and what is possible.” 

Throughout their journey, Michelle and Team Friday’s accomplishments have garnered well-deserved accolades, including the prestigious Gold Dot Comm Award for Digital Campaigns in 2022. Beyond industry recognition, Michelle’s tireless dedication to equity and diversity in the public relations and media space has earned her acclaim and honor from PRSLA.

Looking ahead, Michelle envisions Team Friday’s trajectory characterized by sustained growth and national influence, all stemming from their home base in Los Angeles. Simultaneously, as she passionately pursues personal projects and nears doctorate completion, she moves closer to realizing a profound think tank venture—propelling her vision of fostering a more equitable and inclusive industry. Michelle’s entrepreneurial journey vividly embodies her commitment to harnessing marketing as a formidable force for the societal good. Through Team Friday, Michelle is forging a path to transform the marketing landscape, one purposeful campaign at a time.

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