Ruby Digital – From Humble Beginnings to Global Digital Marketing Success

By Justin Lester

5 minutes to read

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Ruby Digital – From Humble Beginnings to Global Digital Marketing Success

By Justin Lester

5 minutes to read

Join our smart marketers who get our best digital marketing insights,
strategies and tips deliverered straight to their inbox.

Name(Required)

Ruby Digital thrives on innovation, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. We empower our clients to achieve their business goals through cutting-edge digital marketing strategies, tailored to their unique needs. Our team of experts are dedicated to delivering exceptional results, combining creativity, data-driven insights, and a deep understanding of the digital landscape. 

But Ruby Digital was not always the powerhouse it is today! While we achieved success in the Link Building niche in our early days, we knew we had the potential for so much more. It was the addition of a few key individuals that ignited a transformation within our company, sparking a shift in tactics and strategy that would propel us to new heights. 

We’re pulling back the curtain to reveal the heart of Ruby Digital. We want to showcase our evolution, not just as a business, but as a great company culture example. We want you to see that we are more than just an award-winning digital marketing agency, we are a team of passionate individuals who genuinely care about each other and the work we do. By sharing our story, we hope to inspire and connect with you, demonstrating why we are one of the best ad agencies to work for. 

Ruby Digital’s Roots – Where We Came From 

Ruby Digital’s story begins in 2011, born from the entrepreneurial spirit of Justin Lester, and his passion for search engine optimisation (SEO). With a background in digital marketing and a drive to make a difference, Justin founded Ruby Digital with a clear mission: to revolutionise the SEO landscape in South Africa. 

Like many startups, the team was small but mighty, driven by Justin’s dream to build a company that not only delivered exceptional results but also fostered a great company work culture. 

From these humble beginnings, Ruby Digital steadily gained traction, attracting clients who recognised the value of their expertise and commitment. As the company’s reputation grew, so too did its ambitions.  

The team expanded, bringing in new talent and fresh perspectives with the introduction of Ebert (COO and Co-Founder) and Francois (CFO and Director) in 2021. With this, our offerings broadened to encompass a much wider range of digital marketing solutions and web design and development services, and marked the beginning of Ruby Digital’s exponential growth, a journey that would see us evolve into a full-fledged digital marketing dynamo!  

 

Where is Ruby Digital Now? 

Today, the team continues growing, with our vision statement being at the forefront of our approach, which is for Ruby Digital to be the Globe’s Most People Centric Agency. 

We now offer a comprehensive suite of digital marketing solutions, including Google analytics, content marketing, social media management, paid advertising, web design and development, and much more. To ensure optimal efficiency and expertise, we’ve organised our services into specialised teams, each dedicated to their specific area of focus. This allows for streamlined workflows, deeper knowledge sharing, and ultimately, better results for our clients. We also prioritise staying ahead of the curve, constantly updating our processes and strategies to align with the latest industry standards and best practices. 

But perhaps the most significant transformation has been in our approach to our team. We firmly believe that our people are our greatest asset, and we’ve built a work culture that reflects this philosophy. We offer flexible work hours to promote a healthy work/life balance, and our team leaders are committed to fostering motivation and engagement. We invest in continuous learning and development, empowering our team members to grow both personally and professionally. 

We also recognise and reward achievements, both at the team and company level, through monthly and quarterly financial incentives, as well as bi-annual performance-based salary adjustments. And because we believe in celebrating our successes together, we host monthly social events that go beyond the typical pizza party. Think exciting activities followed by delicious dinners, creating opportunities for genuine connection and camaraderie!  

At Ruby Digital, we are always striving to be better. We stay up to date with the latest trends, challenge each other to improve, and foster an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their ideas and perspectives. It is this commitment to our people and their growth that truly sets us apart. 

How Ruby Digital Has Grown 

The combination of our expanded services, dedicated team, and people-first approach has fuelled remarkable growth for Ruby Digital. Our client base has grown significantly, and we are proud to have partnered with some of the most discerning companies in South Africa and beyond. 

Our commitment to excellence is not only clear in the numerous awards we have received, recognising our achievements in SEO, PPC, and overall digital marketing performance, but also in the recognition we have garnered for our exceptional company culture.  

We were finalists in both the “Best Employee Wellbeing Strategy” and the “Great Place to Work” categories at the 2023 Engage Awards, a testament to our dedication to creating a workplace where our team thrives. You can explore our accolades on our Awards page, where you will find testaments to our dedication to delivering exceptional results for our clients. 

We’ve also expanded our reach and capabilities through strategic initiatives, including launching Ruby Digital in the US, working alongside prominent American universities, and acquiring our own web development team, RubyWeb. These moves have not only broadened our service offerings but also solidified our position as a leading player in the global digital marketing arena. 

To see the scope of the companies we’ve worked across diverse industries, and the impressive results we’ve achieved for them, be sure to take a look at our Case Studies 

Our growth isn’t just about numbers, though. It’s about the evolution of our company culture, the strengthening of our team, and the continuous refinement of our processes. We’ve created a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to do their best work. This, we believe, is what is the best type of work culture – one that fosters both individual and collective success. 

In Closing 

Ruby Digital’s journey has been one of transformation and triumph. We’ve evolved from a small link-building agency to a multi-faceted digital marketing agency, recognised for our expertise, innovation, and unwavering commitment to our people. We’ve embraced change, adapted to new challenges, and consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. 

Our story serves as a reminder that with passion, dedication, and a clear vision, anything is achievable! As a business owner, it is crucial to stay focused, keep pushing forward, and never lose sight of the values that have brought you success. 

As we continue to grow and evolve, we are always on the lookout for talented individuals who share our passion for digital marketing and our commitment to creating a positive and inspiring workplace. If you are looking for a company that values its people, fosters growth, and celebrates success, we invite you to explore the career opportunities at Ruby Digital 

 We are excited to see what the future holds, and we are confident that with our amazing team by our side, we will continue to achieve great things! 

 

Written by Justin Lester

Justin is a successful entrepreneur who launched and exited two online startups by the age of 24.

He specialises in SEO and Paid Media services and played a critical role in developing cutting-edge marketing applications in the iGaming sector.

He founded Ruby Digital in 2011, which has won numerous awards and is recognised as having the 2nd highest culture score of any SME in South Africa.

Justin is committed to empowering communities with digital marketing skills and is an active member of the entrepreneurship community, sharing his knowledge and expertise as a guest lecturer at the University of Cape Town and serving on the board of the Entrepreneurs Organization Accelerator Program.