our history

1973 Building on a career in journalism and business marketing, Ralph Crosby purchases a group of tourist publications. This new company, “Rambling Thru, Inc.,” has one employee, Barbara Butt, and operates out of her basement while Ralph splits his time with other business interests. 1977 After taking on several public relations clients, the firm changes its name to “PR Associates” and hires two more staff members. The company rents space in an Annapolis strip center.

1982 The company quickly outgrows the strip center office and moves into the new Whitmore Printing building. 1982 As client needs expand, Crosby’s capabilities extend beyond public relations to integrated marketing, so the name is changed to “Crosby Communications.” 1985 After a year in broadcast sales at a Baltimore radio station, Raymond Crosby, Ralph’s son and the future CEO, joins the company as employee #5. 1988 We win the Anne Arundel Medical Center account, planting the seed for the company’s Healthcare Practice. 1989 As the staff grows, the company purchases a small building at Bestgate and Ridgely Avenues in Annapolis. Local clients include KLNB Realty, Gardiner & Gardiner Contractors and Severn Savings Bank.

1990 Besting some of the country’s biggest agencies, Crosby wins Time Magazine’s Environmental Challenge Advertising contest. 1991 We’re honored to win the Venture Award, given by the Greater Baltimore Committee to honor innovation, creativity and economic growth. 1992 Crosby creates the Anne Arundel County Department of Health’s “Learn to Live” campaign, launching a 20-year program to reduce the incidence of cancer in the county. 1994 Kaiser Permanente selects Crosby, beginning a partnership that still continues to thrive after 30 years. 1995 With rapid growth comes the purchase of Crosby’s new headquarters, a 20,000-square-foot building in Annapolis, and a name change to Crosby Marketing Communications. 1995 We begin work with the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, putting us at the forefront of marketing to America’s aging population.

2000 Raymond Crosby becomes President and COO, and Ralph remains as Chairman and CEO. 2002 Our “Poverty USA” PSA campaign for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development wins the coveted National Silver Anvil Award. 2004 DuPont honors Crosby with its “Challenge Award” for providing outstanding client service and results. 2004 Crosby opens Washington, D.C., office through the acquisition of Low & Associates. Staff grows to 50. 2004 Our work with national nonprofits and causes grows substantially, and we begin conducting campaigns for leading federal agencies such as the USDA. 2006 We begin working with Greenberg Gibbons, one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s premier developers of town center and retail destinations, a relationship that continues today. 2006 Crosby lands the first of five consecutive contracts with HRSA to conduct national campaigns that inspire more Americans to register as organ donors and save lives. 2007 Crosby develops the “Art Bra” campaign to raise breast cancer awareness, winning Gold Addy Awards.

2010 Our work for the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid program garners PRWeek’s Multicultural Campaign of the Year. 2010 Becoming the lead creative agency for the EPA ENERGY STAR program puts Crosby at the forefront of fighting climate change. 2010 Crosby is selected to conduct national campaigns and digital transformation programs for the Social Security Administration – and continues this work to the present day. 2013 Crosby wins national Silver Anvil Award for “Hungry Pests,” an integrated campaign for the USDA to help stop the spread of invasive species. Agency also wins 17 other national and regional awards. 2013 The University of Maryland honors our chairman by creating the “Ralph W. Crosby Student Lounge” in its new College of Journalism building. 2013 We hold our first “Inspiring Actions That Matter Day” of volunteer service for our entire agency, which becomes an annual tradition. 2014 Crosby launches award-winning PSA campaign for DAV (Disabled American Veterans). Now in its 10th year, the campaign has garnered more than $850 million in donated media. 2015 Crosby wins a 5-year contract to serve the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2015 Crosby wins Defense Department contract to promote Military OneSource and quality-of-life programs that support service members and military families across the globe – work that continues today. 2015 Ralph Crosby receives “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Public Relations Society of America. 2016 We’re proud to be named a “Best Workplace” by The Washington Post. Crosby will go on to receive this recognition for 8 straight years. 2016 Crosby begins working with the CDC on the Act Against AIDS campaign, educating at-risk populations to increase testing and combat the spread of HIV. 2016 Crosby wins 18 awards in healthcare marketing from Aster Awards, Healthcare Marketing Awards and Marketing Excellence Awards. 2017 Crosby launches in-house Multimedia Division to expand video and content capabilities. 2017 Crosby begins providing digital marketing services to premier nonprofit Shriners Children’s – a relationship that continues to this day. 2019 We win 23 awards for marketing and creative excellence including PR Silver and Bronze Anvils, 9 Telly awards, Thoth and Aster Awards. 2019 Crosby named “Large Agency of the Year” by National Capital Chapter of PRSA and cracks PRWeek’s Top 50 U.S. agencies.

2020 We are ranked the region’s #1 Ad Agency by the Washington Business Journal. 2020 Crosby is honored as “Corporate Philanthropist of the Year.” We also donate $75,000 this year to local charities to support our neighbors in need during COVID-19. 2020 Our inspiring TV PSAs win 6 Telly awards in a national competition. 2020 Crosby wins prestigious contract to launch Telehealth.HHS.gov 2021 Crosby is named an Agency of the Year by PRovoke Media. 2021 The Peace Corps selects Crosby for a $20 million, 5-year integrated marketing contract. 2021 Crosby wins a $12 million contract to support the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. 2021 Crosby joins the Diversity Action Alliance to report data and support inclusion and equity efforts in the communications industry. 2022 We launch the $100,000 Crosby Scholars Program with Anne Arundel Community College to help more underserved students pursue careers in marketing. 2022 Raymond Crosby is named an Influential Marylander for the 3rd time; joins the elite “Circle of Influence.” 2022 Crosby is named a Premier Google Partner for the sixth consecutive year. 2022 The Baltimore Business Journal ranks Crosby as the region’s #1 ad agency and #1 PR firm. 2022 The USAA Educational Foundation selects Crosby to promote free financial education resources exclusively for members of the military community. 2022 We win a $2.9 million USDA contract to help prevent the spread of African Swine Fever – a disease that could devastate America’s pork industry and economy. 2022 Crosby takes the “Best in Show” award from PRSA Maryland for the Defense Department’s Military OneSource program. 2023 Our 11th “Inspiring Actions That Matter Day” is held at the Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis. Since 2015, Crosby has donated more than $3.7 million to charities and causes. 2023 Crosby is named a Top Workplace by The Washington Post for the 7th straight year. 2023 We win 8 Telly awards for TV and Multimedia Excellence. Thank you! A heartfelt thanks to all our clients and friends for their support. Here’s to the next chapter of success.