Keen Social Earns National Honors: How an LGBTQ+ Agency Used Social Media and Video to Reimagine the Queen Mary

Keen Social Earns National Honors: How an LGBTQ+ Agency Used Social Media and Video to Reimagine the Queen Mary

Keen Social, a dynamic LGBTQ+ and minority-owned digital marketing agency based in Long Beach, California, has garnered significant recognition at the prestigious Davey Awards. Co-founded by Esteven Gamez and Christopher Molessa, the agency earned a Gold Davey Award for General Social Media Management and a Silver for Best Use of Social Video for their groundbreaking campaign that re-opened the Queen Mary. These honors reflect Keen Social’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and strategic excellence in digital marketing.

The Davey Awards and Their Legacy

The Davey Awards, a celebration of creative accomplishments by small agencies and independent creators, are managed by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA). The awards highlight outstanding work across various media categories, with fewer than 20% of submissions achieving Gold recognition. Keen Social’s accolades affirm their unique position in the industry, demonstrating their ability to execute data-informed and culturally relevant campaigns with exceptional creativity.

For more on the Davey Awards, visit their official gallery.

Revitalizing the Queen Mary: A Case Study in Strategic Impact

Keen Social’s work with the Queen Mary is a prime example of their expertise in integrating digital strategies with storytelling to address complex challenges. The campaign was initiated to restore public engagement with the iconic landmark, which had faced financial struggles and closures due to the pandemic. Keen Social implemented a multi-faceted strategy that reinvigorated the brand and re-established the Queen Mary as a cultural cornerstone.

Key aspects of their approach included:

• Content Creation: Producing high-quality visual assets that captured the Queen Mary’s historical and cultural allure.
• Influencer Collaborations: Partnering with influencers such as @RicardoHurtado and @SpookieFoodie to expand outreach to diverse demographics.
• Integrated Planning: Harmonizing PR efforts and social media initiatives for cohesive messaging.
• Data-Driven Execution: Leveraging analytics to tailor and optimize campaign elements in real time.
• Community Engagement: Facilitating open communication with audiences to enhance the Queen Mary’s accessibility and appeal.

These efforts generated immediate results, significantly increasing foot traffic and enhancing public perception of the landmark.

Explore the full details of the campaign via Keen Social’s Queen Mary case study.

The Vision Behind Keen Social

Esteven Gamez, Keen Social’s co-founder, and CEO, draws upon his personal and professional journey to guide the agency’s mission. A proud Tejano and member of the LGBTQ+ community, Gamez’s early exposure to the lack of representation in marketing inspired his commitment to inclusivity. After earning his degree in Recation, Park & Tourism Sciences from Texas A&M University, he honed his expertise at leading agencies, working on campaigns for brands like Hilton, Toyota, and Hyundai.

Gamez’s belief in bridging data with creativity underpins Keen Social’s success. “Our agency thrives on connecting deeply with diverse audiences while delivering tangible results,” says Gamez. Keen Social creates campaigns that resonate authentically with target audiences by aligning cultural insights with measurable strategies.

Recognition and Team Collaboration

Keen Social’s recent awards highlight the collaborative efforts of a skilled team, including:

• Jeff Nolte, Previous Director of Sales & Marketing at Evolution Hospitality 
• Cynthia Cruz, Chief Marketing Officer
• Sabrina Hendifar, Social Media Analyst
• Jess Mar-Ramirez, Content Creator & Videographer
• Tania Pantoja, PR Manager

This synergy underscores the agency’s ethos of teamwork and shared purpose.

Diversity as a Core Value

Keen Social’s emphasis on inclusivity extends beyond its campaigns. Certified as both an LGBTQ+ and minority-owned business by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the agency actively supports hiring diverse marketers. Gamez’s involvement with the Long Beach LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce contributed to the organization being named the “Rising Chamber” by the National LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce.

This commitment to diversity is central to Keen Social’s operations and continues to inform its vision for the future.

Looking Forward

Keen Social remains dedicated to redefining industry standards through their innovative marketing techniques and inclusive philosophy. As they expand their portfolio, the agency continues to deliver groundbreaking campaigns that blend cultural understanding with data precision.

For more information, visit Keen Social’s website or follow them on their social platforms:

• Instagram: @KeenSocial
• LinkedIn: Keen Social
• Twitter: @KeenSocial
• Facebook: Keen Social Agency