As AI Speeds Up Marketing, Louisville's RedTag Bets on Strategy

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Oct. 16, 2026 — RedTag, an independent Louisville-based marketing agency, unveiled this month a new brand and website, redtag.agency, marking its evolution from a digital performance agency into a strategy-first marketing partner. The move comes as artificial intelligence makes execution faster than ever, and RedTag is betting that strategy, not speed, is what will set businesses apart.

"Clients don't come to us needing more tactics. They come to us needing a path," said Russ Renbarger, founder and CEO of RedTag. "Our new brand says out loud what our work has shown for years: We start with strategy and build everything on that foundation."

RedTag established its reputation on high-performing paid digital campaigns. Over the years, the agency expanded into strategy, creative, video production, website development and most recently, AI optimizations. Clients now have one partner for the full scope of their marketing, from defining what a brand stands for to the application of that brand in market.

The integration of AI into RedTag has been led by a team of automation specialists focused on improving production, data collection and agency-efficiencies. An internal AI policy keeps people accountable for quality control, so the time AI saves goes back into strategy: knowing what to say, who to say it to and why.

"AI can produce hundreds of ads in an afternoon, but it can't tell you which one your brand actually needs and why," Renbarger said. "The faster the tools get, the more valuable the human-lead strategy becomes."

That approach is now formalized in five outcome-based programs (Launch, Shift, Grow, Prime and Hire), each designed around a specific business goal. 

"Our best client relationships have always been partnerships, where we're in the room when the big decisions get made," said Alison Conway, chief client officer at RedTag. "This evolution is about bringing that strategic partnership to every client."

On Oct. 14, RedTag co-hosted the PROOF AI Workshop at Mashup Food Hall in NuLu with Slingshot, Vsimple and Advanced Business Solutions. The hands-on event gave Louisville business leaders practical experience applying AI to their own work. RedTag led the event's AI in Marketing and Branding track, with four sessions focused on brand briefs, operational efficiencies, AI search optimization and a playbook for leaders looking to integrate AI practices across their organization.

RedTag was named the agency of record for the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 2025. Their current client list also includes brands such as The PGA of America, Castle & Key Distillery, Bourbon Barrel Foods, ShopCaterpillar and American Beverage Marketers. Since 2023, RedTag's work has received two Emmy Awards and more than 35 ADDY and AIGA awards. The agency is a four-time Louisville Business First Fast 50 honoree and was named one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Kentucky.

About RedTag 

RedTag is an independent, strategy-first marketing agency based in Louisville, Kentucky. Founded in 2008, the agency starts every engagement by understanding the goal before recommending tactics. With a foundation rooted in discovery, RedTag delivers full scale marketing campaigns strategically built and customized for their clients business needs. RedTag serves organizations across hospitality, sports, agriculture, government, retail and consumer packaged goods. Learn more at redtag.agency.

Media contact 

Alison Conway, Chief Client Officer · alison@redtag.agency · 513-319-2767 

Julia Duggins, Account Coordinator · juliaduggins@redtag.agency · 502-631-9809