Title: Founder and President
Company: The Moran Group
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
James A. Moran, founder and president at The Moran Group, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements and leadership in Marketing and Advertising.
Mr. Moran has established himself in both advertising and marketing, most notably as the founder and president of The Moran Group since 1984. Under his leadership, the agency began operations in the New Orleans market, initially focusing on television and radio production, newspaper production, media buying, planning and marketing.
Recognized for managing the largest advertising and marketing agency in Louisiana, Mr. Moran has established a reputation for excellence, with some clients dating back four decades. Specializing in providing clients with unparalleled marketing plans, campaigns and data analysis and optimization that drives results, The Moran Group continues to make a significant impact in the industry.
Early on, The Moran Group specialized in the automotive sector, representing approximately 200 car dealers nationwide. A significant milestone was achieved when the agency secured the Gulf States Toyota distributorship around 1995, managing regional advertising for nearly two decades across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. This partnership included forming Group 2 with another agency to oversee an annual advertising budget ranging from $60 million to $80 million for nearly a decade. More recently, Mr. Moran’s team began managing marketing for Rouses Markets, a leading grocery chain operating in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
In 2007, Mr. Moran guided the launch of a digital division within The Moran Group, making substantial investments in internet-based services. Today, digital offerings account for roughly 75% of the agency’s business and encompass about 20 products, including digital advertising and search engine optimization. Demonstrating a commitment to innovation, Mr. Moran led the development of Amplifi, a programmatic media platform designed to enhance clients’ return on investment, and Identity Max, a tool for effective customer identification, both introduced around 2017.
Over the past 25 years, Mr. Moran has involved 10 family members in the business, including his son, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. His son, a graduate of his alma mater, Louisiana State University, trained under his guidance before assuming responsibility for all agency operations.
Born in New Orleans, Mr. Moran studied locally, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 1981. He also completed graduate coursework in marketing.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Moran is heavily engaged in civic and philanthropic endeavors. He is a donor to the Ochsner Health System Breast Surgery Recovery Fund at Ochsner Health and supports organizations such as St. George Church, Sisters of Mary with World Villages for Children, Alzheimer’s Association, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, and, among others, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Mr. Moran’s creative approach has been evident since the agency’s early days. Among many notable achievements was winning a contract with a local Chevrolet association by staging a live presentation featuring a 40-member female singing group performing Chevrolet jingles. This innovative strategy earned front-page recognition in Advertising Age. The agency’s client roster expanded to include prominent accounts such as Ochsner Medical Center, serving a three-state area. The Moran Group distinguished itself as the only agency south of the Mason-Dixon Line selected among 20 competitors for this partnership and has maintained this account for several years.
Mr. Moran’s contributions to marketing have been recognized with several honors, including Marketer of the Year from AAF-Baton Rouge in 2015. The Moran Group has also been recognized as one of the 75 Best Places to Work in the Capital Region, a testament to its dedication to fostering a positive workplace culture.
Attributing his professional success to his competitiveness and strong work ethic, Mr. Moran has driven himself to achieve ambitious goals throughout his career. His willingness to embrace change and adapt to evolving industry trends has enabled him to remain at the forefront of advertising while many peers have exited the field.
Committed to maintaining The Moran Group’s position at the forefront of technology, Mr. Moran is also eager to continue to deliver exceptional products and services to clients nationwide. With more than 80 professionals currently on staff and ongoing efforts to attract top talent from across the country, he remains dedicated to growing his agency’s capabilities and client base while upholding its reputation as a leading firm in Louisiana’s competitive advertising landscape.
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