Goodway Group, a leading independent digital marketing agency, has announced the appointment of Rick Watrall to the newly created position of Chief Data and Analytics Officer. Watrall's role will involve advancing the company's technical, data, and analytics priorities, while leveraging Goodway Group's proprietary tech stack, GOES (Goodway's Outcome Engineering System), to provide increased value to clients. His responsibilities will also include guiding critical decisions related to investments in artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at delivering faster, more cost-effective, and superior solutions to marketers.
This strategic hire underscores Goodway Group's commitment to ongoing growth and innovation in delivering cutting-edge solutions to its clients. Watrall's deep understanding of modern marketing needs is expected to be a significant asset as the company continues to evolve and lead in the industry. His arrival coincides with advancements in Goodway Group's award-winning GOES technology, a tech and data-enabled marketing system designed to drive measurable growth. Reporting directly to CEO Jay Friedman, Watrall's leadership is anticipated to further enhance Goodway Group's ability to meet and exceed client expectations.
Watrall brings a wealth of experience from his previous role at Horizon Media, where he spent nine years shaping the agency's strategic direction. At Horizon Media, he led a team of analysts, data scientists, and statisticians, driving successful outcomes for major clients such as Capital One, Hershey, Revlon, Kohl’s, Mayo Clinic, Paramount, and the NFL. Prior to Horizon Media, Watrall was a senior partner at Hudson River Group, specializing in marketing analysis, strategic and tactical marketing software, and ROI optimization.
"We are thrilled to welcome Rick to the Goodway Group team," said Jay Friedman, CEO of Goodway Group. "His leadership, expertise, and passion will be instrumental in driving our data and analytics capabilities to new heights, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value to our clients."
Goodway Group is recognized as one of the top North American agencies, earning prestigious awards for its innovative marketing technology and impactful work. The company is known for fostering an inclusive, remote-first workplace and has received accolades such as Ad Age's Best Places to Work and AdExchanger’s Best Use of Technology by an Agency award. Goodway Group's media buying power has led to industry-renowned partnerships and certifications, ensuring optimal management of clients' media investments to minimize fraud and waste while maximizing effectiveness and value.
With five distinct divisions—CvE, a marketing advisory firm; G-Comm, a retail media accelerator; TUFF, a performance marketing agency; Goodway, a managed service media and analytics partner; and GRADIANT, a modern funnel digital media agency—Goodway Group continues to be a marketing engine that unlocks measurable growth for the world's most progressive brands.
