Chris Essey

A Business Built to Serve People, Not Just Platforms

Chris founded Essey Marketing on the belief that great marketing shouldn’t rely on trends, tricks, or short-term tactics. It should be strategic, measurable, and aligned with a company’s mission.

Over the past decade, he has worked across the full digital landscape—SEO, content strategy, UX, analytics, paid media, and enterprise web development—building growth systems for startups, nonprofits, and Fortune 100 companies alike.

His work has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine and LinkedIn News for its clarity, practicality, and measurable impact.

The Work Chris Leads Today

Chris splits his time across four leadership roles, each centered around strategy, digital transformation, and long-term growth.

1. Essey Marketing: Founder & Digital Marketing Consultant
Building SEO systems, digital strategy, and full-scale marketing operations for businesses nationwide.

2. Nationwide: Digital Brand Strategist & Web Consultant
Leading enterprise digital modernization across UX, SEO, content, analytics, accessibility, and web architecture.

3. 3Rivers General Contracting: Director of Marketing & Business Development
Scaling a Southwestern PA luxury contractor into a multi-million-dollar brand through full-funnel digital strategy.

4. Active Cities: Chief Marketing Officer & Co-Owner
Driving SEO, content, growth systems, and national digital reach for a website generating 10.5M+ annual impressions.

Business for Good

Giving back is not an initiative—it’s a core part of Chris’s business model. Through Essey Marketing, he donates 8% of all revenue to nonprofit and community organizations, and contributes time to mentoring students, supporting local causes, and consulting with purpose-driven groups.

His sustainability commitments earned Essey Marketing the Silver-Level Sustainable Pittsburgh Workplace designation, a regional recognition for ethical operations and environmental responsibility.

Nonprofit & Community Engagement Includes:
• Gwen Does Stuff Project
• Chuck Cooper Foundation
• Habitat for Humanity
• Special Olympics
• Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy
• American Cancer Society
• Mission 22
…and more.

Educator. Mentor. Writer.

Chris writes for multiple newsletters—reaching more than 6,000 combined subscribers—where he breaks down digital marketing, SEO, business strategy, and Stoic philosophy into clear, actionable insights.

He has delivered sessions to Fortune 500 executives, guest-lectured at universities, and mentored early-career marketers and entrepreneurs looking to build meaningful careers.

Featured Publications/Newsletters:
• Essey Marketing Newsletter: 1,400+ subscribers
• Digital Marketing for Students: 3,900+ subscribers
• Stoic Saturdays: 1,000+ subscribers