898 Marketing
Our approach is simple: we focus on functionality, speed, and clarity, ensuring that every project serves a clear purpose without unnecessary complexity.
We Are More Than Just A Marketing Agency
We help brands grow by combining strategy, creativity, and technology. From startups to established enterprises, we partner with ambitious companies to build memorable brands and drive measurable results.
Based in Youngstown and Cleveland, Ohio, we bring a Midwest work ethic and a national perspective to every project.
Our Story
Called
to
Serve
The numbers 8-9-8 represent a philosophy, not just a name.
As a child, Jeff Ryznar was asked by his grandfather to choose three numbers. He chose 8-9-8. Years later, he learned his grandfather had been quietly saving lottery winnings to help him start his first business.
He shared three principles:
- 01God gives us gifts.
- 02Those gifts are meant to serve others.
- 03If you do it well enough, someone will find value in it.
Four days before Jeff’s sixteenth birthday, his grandfather passed away. The business never launched, but the philosophy did. 898 Marketing was built on that foundation: use your gifts responsibly, serve intentionally, and execute well enough that it creates lasting value.
Our Story
Where It All Began
898 Marketing was founded in Youngstown, Ohio with a simple mission: to use our talents and expertise to serve local businesses. From day one, the goal was never just to deliver marketing services, but to become a genuine partner in our partners’ success. That commitment to local roots and hands-on service still shapes the way 898 Marketing works today.
Hiring Our First Team Member
Our first full-time employee joined 898 Marketing, marking the start of the company as a true team. This milestone represented more than just added capacity for handling partner campaigns.
898 Onboards New Partners
898 Marketing onboarded new partners and spread across the Midwest, growing our reach beyond Youngstown. This expansion tested and proved our ability to deliver consistent digital marketing results for partners in different markets and industries.
Our Canfield Office Opens
Our first dedicated office in Canfield opened, bringing designers, strategists, and storytellers together under one roof at 898 Marketing. Having everyone in one space marked a new level of creativity and collaboration that elevated the quality of our web design, branding, and content.
898’s National Presence
In 2022, 898 Marketing was recognized as the #1 fastest-growing agency in Ohio and named to a national list of fastest-growing companies in America. These honors validated years of disciplined growth, strong partner relationships, and a team willing to push boundaries in the marketing industry.
Best Employers in Ohio
898 Marketing was named one of the Best Employers in Ohio, a reflection of the culture and team we’ve built. This recognition mattered as much internally as it did externally, reinforcing that people are the true engine behind every marketing service we deliver. It also served as a reminder that sustainable growth starts with investing in the team behind the work.
A Decade of 898
898 Marketing celebrated 10 years in business, expanded our Canfield office, welcomed new team members to the 898 family, and was named the #1 fastest-growing agency in Ohio for a second time. A full decade in business is a milestone worth pausing to appreciate, especially in an industry like digital marketing that changes as quickly as search algorithms and platforms do.
To celebrate our 10th year anniversary, we were given the opportunity to present $10,000 to The United Way of Youngstown as a way to show our appreciation for the community that has supported us from day one till now.
Office #2 Opens in Hudson, Ohio
A new branch of 898 Marketing opened in Hudson, Ohio, extending our team further across the region. This expansion reflects our continued commitment to staying close to the communities and partners we serve with SEO, content, and marketing support. As 898 Marketing grows, our focus remains the same as it was in 2014: bringing real expertise and genuine care to every business we work with.
Now it’s time for us totell your story.