Three Decades of Strategy & Creativity.

30 Years of Being Proactive

Since 1996, Proactive Design + Marketing has partnered with forward-thinking companies to design strategies, build brands, and deliver real-world marketing results. It’s been a rollercoaster ride to get here – filled with changing digital landscapes and incredible collaborations. And the best part? We are right here beside you, ready for whatever comes next.

We started as a small creative studio in Galway city and grew into a full-service agency by adapting to change alongside our wonderful clients.

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Scroll down to see the timeline

1996

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Proactive established as a full service Graphic Design Agency based in Galway with ambitions to attract a national client base.

1997

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ATU (then RTC) award their first graphic design contract to Proactive.

CLIENTS: RTC, Fáilte Ireland

1998

Proactive win Galway Chamber of Commerce Ernst & Young award for best emerging company.

CLIENTS: Galway Chamber of Commerce, UCG, Galway Arts Festival

1999

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We had many fun years (and late nights) working with the Galway International Arts Festival.

2000

Angela Geraghty appointed Managing Director

2001

Ray O’Connor establishes the first Connemara International Marathon which will go on to attract 4,000 participants annually from across the world.

2002

Proactive awarded major national contract to rebrand the recruitment and careers advisory section of the Civil Service Public Jobs.

2003

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Proactive design the first of many Smyths Toys Catalogues, the biggest private print project in Ireland.

2004

The beginning of a long relationship with Creganna (now TE)

2005

As Galway expands as a major medical device hub in Europe, Proactive’s client base expands to include Medtronic
and Boston Scientific.

2006

CPL Integrated Services become a key client

2007

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Ray O’Connor wins Rehab People of the Year Award.

2008

Boston Scientific engage Proactive to design a very technical Crisis Management Plan which is rolled out over all plants.

2009

Proactive was appointed to NUI Galway’s first-ever Graphic Design Panel and has continued that relationship to date.

2010

Proactive further expanded its client base to deliver a new creative direction and a full media campaign, including TV, Radio and OOH for Galway Races.

2011

Ray O’Connor establishes RunIreland.com which becomes Ireland’s biggest Running Website and wins a Spider Award for Ireland’s best online community.

2012

The Marine Institute appointed Proactive to undertake a comprehensive brand audit. The project resulted in a refreshed brand identity, a suite of creative templates, and comprehensive Brand Guidelines to ensure consistent implementation across all communications.

2013

The start of a long-standing and valued relationship with DeCare Dental Insurance.

2014

RunIreland wins event industry award for best sporting event in Ireland with Electric Run Dublin.

2015

Proactive partners with the Irish Cancer Society to deliver their Colour Dash events nationwide

2016

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Proactive expands it’s portfolio of events with the launch of Tough Mudder Ireland and the acquisition of Run Galway Bay.

2017

AbbVie entrusts Proactive to design, plan and implement a full Recruitment campaign including OOH, Press and Digital.

2018

Following a series of strategic workshops, in-depth competitor analysis and team engagement sessions, the Chanelle brand was reimagined by Proactive to position the organisation as a Global Pharmaceutical company.

2019

Proactive designed, built and managed content development for the Intuity website

2020

Proactive get creative during the Covid pandemic and lockdown with an award winning worldwide campaign for the Global Heart Hub.

2021

Proactive commences working with the Danone Group on brands including Cow & Gate, Aptamil, Nutricia Fortisip Compact Protein and Cubitan.

2022

We’re incredibly proud to have been part of this amazing Irish success story from the very beginning – creating the name, developing the brand and helping to shape Glanua’s identity as it has grown into the global success it is today.

Glanua logo

2023

Proactive expand international client base to include Freudenberg Medical, Applied Plastics, Harmac Medical, Acrotec Group.

2024

Proactive contracted by Government of Ireland MyWaste to create a national anti-litter campaign.

2025

Proactive brand the PJ Hegarty centenary celebration year in style.

2026

Proactive was required to create a distinctive visual identity to support a national research project exploring sexual health in Ireland and the factors influencing transmission and prevention. Led by the School of Psychology at the University of Galway. This project featured on 100archive.com

Proactive Celebrate 30 Years of Creativity and move to new offices in CREW Creative Hub!

The Next 30 Years

The Next Chapter: Navigating Changing Landscapes

Thirty years ago, the marketing world looked vastly different. We navigated the launch of commercial email, built websites before the advent of content management systems, and shaped authentic brand voices in an age when only birds tweeted.

Today, as artificial intelligence shifts the digital horizon, we see another familiar opportunity to adapt, learn, and grow alongside our clients. We continuously welcome innovative tools into our workflows to sharpen our efficiencies, while keeping our traditional commitment to personal, human-verified accountability entirely permanent.

Tools change, but real relationships will continue to drive great businesses.

From the Proactive family, our sincere thanks go to all the amazing clients we’ve worked with over the years, and just as importantly, the staff who have shared our journey along the way.