Our Story

Since its inception in 1999, Sitewire has grown from a small web development shop to a multi-departmental online marketing agency. Sitewire continues to grow, adding world-class talent to the company while expanding service offerings and capabilities. This expansion has been rewarded with numerous awards, accolades and, most importantly, a roster of successful client relationships.

But it’s not all work and no play. Sitewire is dedicated to instilling a sense of family and community in its team members. From camping trips to boat outings, Sitewire not only works hard, but plays hard too. Here’s a brief look at our history, the story of our growth, a few snapshots of our achievements and personality.

  • About 1999

      Location

    • Margie Traylor and Bret Giles start Sitewire. The offices are located at 2434 S. 24th St. in Phoenix, Arizona. Six months later, Sitewire relocates to 505 W. University Drive, Suite B in Tempe, Arizona. 1,000 sq/ft of office space.

      Growth

    • Chris Corak joins Sitewire as an intern.
    • Business Development position is created.
    • 3 PCs and a server are purchased.
  • About 2000

      Location

    • Offices moved to 401 S. Mill Ave., Suite 200 in Tempe, Arizona. 4,000 sq/ft of office space.

      Growth

    • Total employee count = 13. Of those original 13, 5 of them are still with Sitewire: Margie Traylor, Bret Giles, Chris Corak, Rich Spinabella and Karen Strickland.
  • About 2001

      Growth

    • Total employee count = 17.
  • About 2002

      Growth

    • Fifth-Phase is acquired by Sitewire.
    • Hires a business development “professional” who likes to pick at his toes – not the smartest move for Sitewire.

      Service Offerings

    • Sitewire brings in Web Development capabilities.
  • About 2003

      Growth

    • Sitewire adds 10 new workstations.
    • Sandy Catour joins the Sitewire team.
  • About 2004

      Growth

    • Sitewire drastically changes its business plan, moving away from Web Development to Online Marketing. Coupled with an influx of fresh talent, Sitewire increases revenue by 50%.
    • Total employee count = 21.

      Trips/Culture Club

    • Gets into a disagreement with Irish Pub neighbor on St. Patrick’s Day – pub wanted to charge Sitewire employees cover to get out of the office.
    • Sitewire serves food for Starshine Academy holiday party; Bret dresses up as Santa.
  • About 2005

      Growth

    • Culture Club, a team in charge of planning company parties and events, is started.
    • Sitewire adds 12 more workstations.
    • Total employee count = 29.

      Trips/Culture Club

    • “Frank,” one of the earliest servers at Sitewire, expires. A wake is held in his honor.

      Awards/Recognition

    • Sitewire receives the Corporate Spirit Award from the Volunteer Center and Phoenix Business Journal.
    • Sitewire receives the national Best Bosses award from FORTUNE Small Business Magazine.
    • Sitewire receives the Monster.com Entrepreneur ASU Alumni Award from the ASU Spirit of Enterprise.
  • About 2006

      Growth

    • Sitewire goes through a rebranding, complete with new website.
    • Totally employee count = 32.

      Trips/Culture Club

    • Sitewire heads to Heber/Overgaard for “Camp Sitewaukaunaukaunabe.”
    • End of Year party is a success; features Sitewire “Lounge Acts.”

      Awards/Recognition

    • Margie is a finalist for the Athena Award
    • Sitewire is named 2006 Arizona Company to Watch
  • About 2007

      Service Offerings

    • Sitewire establishes the Creative Department, complete with Creative Director, Graphic Designers and Usability Interface Expert.

      Events

    • Sitewire kicks off its annual Expert Series, with special guest speaker Seth Godin.
    • Sitewire Media School kicks off its first session.

      Growth

    • Sitewire gets a makeover with a new logo.
    • Total employee count = 37.

      Trips/Culture Club

    • Sitewire throws 80’s Prom for End of Year party.

      Awards/Recognition

    • Sitewire is a finalist for the Media Magazine Creative Media awards in the Online Search category.
    • Sitewire wins W3 Silver award for Creative, the WebAward for Website Development and the Best Places to Work award.
  • About 2008

      Location

    • Sitewire moves into new offices at 740 S. Mill Ave. 10,000 sq/ft of office space.

      Growth

    • Sitewire implements the Whale Hunting strategy, landing some of its biggest clients to date.
    • Agencyside is formed, partnering with Sitewire to bring digital marketing training and consulting services to agencies.
    • Sitewire debuts online newsletter, “Blog on a Wire.”

      Events

    • Sitewire hosts Charlene Li’s “Groundswell” event.

      Service Offerings

    • Social Media work begins.

      Trips/Culture Club

    • Sitewire employees head to Agua Prieta, Mexico to help build a home for the Rancho Feliz charity organization.
  • About 2009

      Growth

    • Greg Chapman becomes new Sitewire president.
    • Sitewire partners with The Whale Hunters; Margie becomes The Whale Hunters CEO.
    • Four areas of focus are identified: Local, Mobile, Social, Search.

      Service Offerings

    • Sitewire acquires Blumo Mobile Technology, providing the company with a mobile platform for SMS, mobile development and emerging mobile media capabilities.
    • Sitewire launches the company’s first Augmented Reality campaign.
    • Sitewire receives Microsoft Certified Partner status.

      Events

    • Sitewire begins its sponsorship of Ignite Phoenix.
  • About 2010

      Awards/Recognition

    • Sitewire sweeps the American Marketing Association 2010 Spectrum Awards with the iGo “Vampire Power Sucks” campaign.
    • Margie & Bret are named Small Business Persons of the Year by the Small Business Administration
    • Sandy is one of three finalists for the Tempe Chamber for Women in Business Award.
    • Sitewire makes the Inc. 500 list of the fastest-growing private companies in Arizona

      Trips

    • The Sitewire team enjoys a boating outing at Bartlett Lake for some much needed R&R.

      Service Offerings

    • Sitewire develops first-to-market Yelp Facebook app.
    • Sitewire develops mobile website for client.

      Growth

    • Bret teaches first ever digital marketing class at ASU WP Carey School of Business.
    • Total employee count = 54.