After nearly 20 years buying and selling media, Wendy Clayton decided to take the advice of one of her biggest clients and created her own company. With the security in knowing her first client was guaranteed, Splash Media was born in 2004. “This was my dream to own my own shop — to work with clients that I want to work with, to provide a great place for people to work,” Clayton says.

Splash provides advertising agencies and direct accounts with media planning and buying services, specializing in research, strategy and reconciliation. “We produce plans/buys that meet client goals and budgets that are designed to save the client both time and money and produce results that the client would never achieve on their own,” Clayton says. “I am passionate about moving the needle for clients and going outside the media box and helping clients grow.”

Clayton honed her expertise at a number of Pittsburgh advertising agencies, including Ketchum Advertising (at the time, the largest agency in Pittsburgh). She also worked in media sales at Sinclair Broadcasting (FOX53 and WB22). Clayton earned her MBA in Marketing from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business in 1991.

“This is a tough business, and you need to be tough to make it as long as I have,” Clayton says. “I dig deep and really get to know our clients. What makes their business strong? What can we do to move that needle for them? This isn’t a 9-5 job. This is a ‘I’m here for you’ job and there is no time stamp to that.”

What advice does Clayton have for women in business? “Surround yourself with other strong, smart women. It makes you want to succeed, and there’s nothing better in life than a bunch of strong women trying to better themselves.”

The best advice Wendy ever received was from her father: Be honest and work hard.  Do your best, be the best. If you don’t think you’re the best, then who will? “These beliefs will take you far in life both professionally and personally,” Clayton says.

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