Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1531276
28 Worcester Business Journal | January 13, 2025 | wbjournal.com B E S T O F B U S I N E S S M U L T I M E D I A Munq Co-founders Justin Matsen (left) and Tim Hally Munq uses personal touch to help businesses tell their story visually BY ERIC CASEY WBJ Managing Editor I n an era where camera phones can make anyone mistakenly believe they're a professional videogra- pher, Worcester-based creative agency Munq uses listening skills and a personal touch to separate itself from the amateurs, helping businesses tell their story to the masses. Founded less than five years ago, Munq has quickly established a solid client base, including Clark University and Bancro School in Worcester, and e Walden School, a summer camp for musicians ages 9 to 18 in New Hampshire. Despite the young age of the company and most of its staff, Munq had quickly shot up the charts thanks to its desire to truly understand what makes a client tick, said Timothy Hally, co-founder of Munq. "It's being a good listener," he said. "It's really taking the time to under- stand a client's story. You know, we view storytelling as a truly sacred practice, so when we immerse ourselves in our clients ecosystem, in their world, we truly take the time to get to know the world that we're playing in, and then therefore also use that to tell the best story possible." e ability to produce quality content is an obvious priority for a marketing firm, but Munq has boosted its own brand by firmly planting itself in the Cen- tral Massachusetts business landscape. "Over the last four years we've been in business, we've been able to demon- strate, especially to the Greater Worcester community, that we're people who truly care about the area that we live in," Hally said. "Not only just through the stories we tell and the change in transformations we're trying to create in the area, but also to just our service to the community as well." Led by Hally, a member of the WBJ 2024 40 Under Forty class who has yet to turn 30, and fellow Co-founder Justin Matsen, who enjoys making jokes in LinkedIn posts about Tim's inflated ego ever since he was awarded the honor, the company clearly remembers the impor- tance of fun. at joy is an important part of Munq's secret sauce, said Hally. "Marketing, storytelling, and branding is very serious work with very serious implications," Hally said, "but at the end of the day, it's really just about surround- ing yourself with good people and not taking things too seriously, and just really attempting to just have fun." n BEST IT SERVICES PROVIDER Winner: ClearCom IT Solutions*, in Sturbridge Notable runners-up: Cinch I.T., in Worcester; Machado Consulting, in Worcester ClearCom IT Solutions helps to simplify com- plex IT process- es, enhance cy- bersecurity, and improve clarity for budgeting and operation- al needs. The provider allows businesses to operate efficiently with minimized disruptions and quick resolutions. With a focus on cloud, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, ClearCom IT Solutions tailors services to growing industry and community trends. Website: www.clearcomit.com Top executive: CEO Rob Cleary Founded: 2001 Employees: 30 n BEST VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY Winner: Munq*, in Worcester Notable runners-up: Pagano Media, in Worcester; Penta Communications, in Westborough Website: Munqcreative.com Top executive: Co-founders Tim Hally and Justin Matsen Founded: 2020 Employees: 2 Founded: 1989 Employees: 16 n BEST WEB DESIGN FIRM Winner: PENTA Communications*, in Westborough Notable runners-up: Pagano Media, in Worcester; Vision Advertising, in Northborough PENTA Communications provides website and design development services, including navigation, video implementation, and advanced search engine optimization strategy to curate viewers' experience. Since every website is different, PENTA works to create customized goals with strate- gic solutions to achieve performance backed by data analytics. The firm is proud to help clients grow, strategize, and improve their online presence. Website: www.pentamarketing.com Top executive: Deborah Penta, founder and CEO Founded: 1989 Employees: 16 n BEST COMMERCIAL PRINTER Winner: Curry Printing*, in Westborough Notable runners-up: Minuteman Press, in Worcester, Marlborough, and Milford; Miles Press, in Auburn For more than 40 years, Curry Printing BEST ADVERTISING AGENCY Winner: PENTA Communications*, in Westborough Notable runners-up: Davis Advertising, in Worcester; Vision Advertising, in Northborough; Exsel Advertising Group, in Sturbridge PENTA Communications offers mar- keting consulting, design and creative services, website development, public relations consulting, event planning, social media strategies, and adver- tising. The full-service marketing firm aims to provide holistic and consul- tative experiences for every client, ensuring the highest level of personal- ized service for clients to succeed and accomplish their goals. Website: www.pentamarketing.com Top executive: Deborah Penta, founder and CEO ClearCom IT CEO Rob Cleary