Over the past fifteen years, I’ve served as CEO at four different companies. During that time, I have partnered with Gate to rebrand product portfolios, launch new products, and develop winning marketing strategies, ultimately helping grow these businesses for successful private equity acquisitions. 

Of all our collaborations, the Ronzoni pasta launch in St. Louis has been my proudest moment. When 8th Avenue Food & Provisions acquired Ronzoni in 2021, we needed an agency that could make this iconic brand feel at home in St. Louis. Gate didn’t just understand the assignment—they NAILED it. They wove together the cultural fabric of The Hill with the passion of Blues hockey to create something truly special. The arena takeover during warmups, the branded LED displays, and especially the Ronzoni ‘Zamboni’—it all came together perfectly. I only wish I had found John and the team at Gate 20 years sooner. 

What makes Gate exceptional isn’t just their creative brilliance or their lightning-fast execution—it’s their ability to capture the heart of a brand and its audience. They could offer a masterclass in branding and design. Just as the Blues are St. Louis’s hockey team (and mine), Gate has been my team throughout my career. They get it, they deliver, and they continue to surpass expectations. The truth is many of the ideas I’ve been praised for over the years originated with John Kreider and his team at Gate. They’ve been the creative force behind some of my proudest professional achievements, and I couldn’t recommend them more highly.

Scott McNair, CEO
8th Avenue Food & Provisions
4 Years 8 months

We worked with GATE for the first time this season on a brand-new partner’s needs. We were on an extremely tight timeline to make it to the Home Opener. Little did we know that GATE would be one of the fastest, most efficient, and accurate agencies we’ve worked with. From the moment we sent over specs, we received story boards and graphics soon after that were creative and meaningful to the brand. The graphics were well thought out and did not feel rushed, even in a rushed environment. 

Amy Johnson
St. Louis Blues
Business Development Executive | Corporate Partnership Sales
11 years

Working with GATE was as smooth as it can get. We were introduced to GATE as the agency representing a brand-new client, and GATE was able to deliver on the new client’s ideas in a tight two-week timeframe, accurately and AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. It was immediately apparent that GATE treats their clients the same way we treat our clients, with their partner’s needs and goals at the forefront. The thoroughness of their process, from conception to production to activation and confirmation that what they delivered met their own high standards of excellence. As a sports business professional, a team like GATE is highly capable for executing a partner’s vision in any signage medium, Olympia’s included.

Phil Abernathy
St. Louis Blues
Manager, Corporate Partnerships, Activation and Services
6 years