WSI names Ryan Kelly and Cynthia Mordecai Agency of the Year

WSI has named Santa Rosa-based WSI Smart Marketing its 2025 Agency of the Year, recognizing Ryan Kelly and Cynthia Mordecai for a collaborative model that has driven client growth. The award was presented at WSI’s 2026 Global Convention in Los Cabos, Mexico, and highlights results-first strategy work across the network.

Why it matters: - The award spotlights a client-first operating model that WSI says is tied to measurable growth, not just strategy presentations. - WSI Smart Marketing’s approach reflects how agencies are using collaboration to improve revenue, lead generation and retention for clients. - The recognition also signals the value WSI places on network leadership, not just local performance.

What happened: - WSI named WSI Smart Marketing its 2025 Agency of the Year. - The award went to WSI Consultants Ryan Kelly and Cynthia Mordecai. - WSI presented the recognition at its 2026 Global Convention in Los Cabos, Mexico. - WSI Smart Marketing is based in Santa Rosa, California.

The details: - Kelly joined the WSI network nearly 20 years ago and later brought Mordecai on as co-owner. - The agency grew by treating clients as active participants in strategy, rather than passive recipients. - Kelly said the agency’s most successful campaigns include clients who show up to strategy conversations and push back when ideas do not make sense. - Mordecai said the longest client relationships come from healthy, productive dialogue and shared ownership of outcomes. - WSI said the award reflects both consistent growth and active leadership across the network. - WSI Smart Marketing serves clients in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. - The agency works with home services, automotive, healthcare, professional services, retail and eCommerce clients. - Holly Construction, a Sonoma County builder and WSI client for nine years, shifted in 2025 from winery work toward education and government contracts. - Kelly realigned Holly Construction’s digital strategy around the new market focus. - Holly Construction saw organic traffic rise 76% and tracked phone calls rise 77%. - Holly Construction recorded the strongest revenue in its 35-year history in 2025. - Valerie Brown-Dufour, president of WSI, said Kelly and Mordecai were recognized for strong client results and deep engagement in the WSI community. - Brown-Dufour said the pair were generous with their experience and committed to helping others in the network. - WSI Smart Marketing plans to deepen its AI and digital strategy work for clients. - Kelly said the agency expects to keep drawing on the broader WSI network as it grows. - More information about WSI is available in the company’s announcement. - Additional social channels listed in the release include Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Between the lines: - The award frames agency value around relationship quality as much as campaign output. - The Holly Construction example gives WSI a concrete case study for how strategy changes can translate into business results. - WSI’s comments suggest the network wants to reward agencies that share expertise across markets, not operate in isolation.

What's next: - WSI Smart Marketing said its next phase will focus on deeper AI and digital strategy for clients. - Kelly said the agency will continue to rely on the WSI network while contributing its own expertise back into it. - The award may strengthen the agency’s positioning with clients looking for both collaboration and measurable performance.

The bottom line: - WSI is rewarding an agency model built on shared strategy, candid feedback and measurable client outcomes.