How to Choose a Marketing Agency in Baltimore That Actually Delivers
Written By: Shane Clark on June 24, 2025
If you’re planning to hire Pink Dog Digital or work with Gina Ramsey, read this first.
I contracted with Pink Dog Digital for 4 years and 4 months. That experience taught me a lot, especially about what to watch for in an agency relationship and the risks of overlooking the fine print in a contract.
During that time, two serious client disputes occurred. I was directly involved in one and was an observer in the other. I was informed that both clients threatened legal action. To the best of my knowledge, the claims were handled by the agency’s insurance provider. From my experience, the pressure resulting from these situations was felt more by the contractor team than by management.
Before you sign with any Baltimore marketing agency, here are some things to watch out for.
What to Watch Out for When Hiring an Agency
Not every Baltimore marketing agency performs equally. Some may present well during the sales process but encounter difficulties during execution. One potential concern is a vague contract that lacks clear definitions around responsibilities. From my time working with Pink Dog Digital, I personally found that project roles could sometimes be unclear, which made coordination more difficult.
Accountability was another area of concern. From my perspective, when issues came up, contractors seemed to bear the impact more often, while leadership appeared less involved in directly addressing concerns. This made it difficult to build long-term trust.
Project oversight is also critical. Whether the service is web design, SEO, or Google Ads, an agency should have a process in place that tracks deliverables, measures results, and flags issues early. If an agency cannot clearly explain how they monitor performance, that could be a sign of future challenges.
My Experience Working with Pink Dog Digital
I worked as a contractor for Pink Dog Digital, primarily under the direction of Gina Ramsey and other managers. On the surface, the company appeared organized. However, once involved, I personally encountered communication and workflow challenges.
I was brought in to assist with technical tasks and client deliverables. My role began with web development and later expanded to include SEO and SEM support. Task direction was sometimes unclear. While a project management platform existed, it was not always used consistently. On some occasions, I received multiple requests for the same project via duplicated tasks, which made it harder to confirm task priority or version control.
In my opinion, the website development and design work is well managed. However, the SEO and SEM efforts are disorganized and lack a clear process.
The Payment Gateway Incident That Sparked a Lawsuit Threat
In August 2020, a financial services client reportedly requested a switch from PayPal to OmniFund for payment processing. I was not involved in the planning or setup and was not even aware of the project until after there was a dire issue. Another contractor handled the integration using OmniFund’s documentation, a WooCommerce plugin, and credentials provided by the client.
A test transaction was reportedly completed, and both the client and agency leadership were copied on a confirmation email. I was only notified after a problem had already occurred.
Not long after, I was informed that fraudulent transactions had occurred on the site. OmniFund support explained that their fraud protection features might not apply to API-based integrations, which, to my knowledge, was not clearly stated in the documentation at the time.
Legal concerns were reportedly raised by the client and the matter may have been referred to the agency’s insurance provider. The contractor later mentioned that his engagement ended while on personal leave, reportedly due to this event.
This situation highlights the importance of a clear contract that protects both the agency and contractors.
Google Ads Project Lacked Oversight and Safeguards
Several years later, my team supported the technical setup and training of a Google Ads campaign for another client. Our role was limited to launch configuration and the initial handoff. This was intended as a setup-only engagement.
Pink Dog Digital did not clearly explain the risks of not actively managing the campaign post-launch. Six months later, client concerns surfaced, and within four months, I was informed that my services would no longer be needed.
This situation reflected the absence of a contract that clearly defined responsibilities and protected all parties involved.
When I Was Threatened With Legal Action
During the Google Ads campaign, a targeting and budget issue arose due to unclear oversight, lack of communication, and vague contract responsibilities. I was later told legal action might be considered.
The version of the contract I had included this clause:
“Pink Dog Digital shall apply for and obtain general liability insurance for all work Contractor performs for Pink Dog Digital’s clients at the direction of Pink Dog Digital.”
This implied that contractors would be covered by the agency’s liability insurance. Despite this, I felt uncertain about accountability.
This experience highlighted the importance of clear communication, written role definitions, and internal processes for resolving problems before they escalate.
The Moment I Realized Things Weren’t Getting Better
On one team call, a colleague shared that they were still learning and using online training resources to build their skills. With the complexity of active client campaigns, this stood out.
I personally believe team members should receive adequate preparation before being assigned live client projects. This, combined with other experiences, contributed to my concerns about training, oversight, and consistency.
The Four-Year Invoice Audit That Cost Me Time and Money
Toward the end of my contract, a multi-year review of my contractor invoices was requested. By then, I no longer had access to the project management system where task records had been documented, making validation difficult.
Although the contract referenced a 30-day window to review or dispute invoices, I was asked to explain previously approved work. Most records were confirmed, but the process required significant unpaid time and caused added stress.
This review felt reactive rather than procedural.
How the SEM Incident Cost Me More Than Just the Job
After the Google Ads project, I submitted a final invoice totaling $1,320. I did not receive a response. Despite my efforts to follow through on deliverables, the lack of acknowledgment underscored the importance of clear end-of-contract communication and a process for resolving outstanding payments.
When a Contractor Is Treated Like an Employee
Although classified as a 1099 independent contractor, some aspects of the work—mandatory meetings, fixed deadlines, and close oversight—felt like traditional employee responsibilities.
The Maryland Department of Labor’s ABC test helps determine independent contractor status, considering independence, control, and whether the work is outside the company’s usual business activity. Clearer expectations and boundaries could have reduced confusion and aligned the contractor relationship with industry standards.
The Bait and Switch
Over time, project assignments shifted without direct communication. Work that initially felt clear and cooperative became less certain and more disconnected.
Alan, a web developer, experienced a similar reduction in assignments after helping complete a Shopify project. In my opinion, this reflected a shift in how long-term contributors were treated and a lack of recognition for prior contributions.
Baltimore Web Agencies I Do Recommend
I enjoy working with local businesses as a boutique agency. For larger projects, I refer clients to trusted agencies in Baltimore:
- Dragonfly Digital Marketing – Hampden-based, focusing on lean projects, clean UX, and SEO-friendly builds.
- Warschawski – Pikesville-based, blends web development with branding, PR, and digital strategy; Google Partner certified.
- Mission Agency – Falls Road studio, modern sites with strong creative flair and coordinated design/development teams.
Each brings more staff, specialized roles, and structured processes than a smaller team like mine.
Baltimore SEO and SEM Agencies Worth Considering
For companies needing larger teams, deeper reporting, or more formal processes:
- Mindgrub – Integrated SEO, paid media, analytics, backed by in-house devs and designers.
- TBG (The Berndt Group) – Enterprise-focused, structured process tying SEO to UX and long-term content.
- Gauge Digital Media – Maryland-based, local SEO, paid search, and reputation management with a personal point of contact.
These agencies offer more process, scale, and campaign oversight than what I observed at Pink Dog Digital.
Trending Consideration: AI and Automation in Marketing
Digital marketing is rapidly evolving, and one trend that can’t be ignored is AI-powered marketing and automation. From AI-driven SEO tools to programmatic ad optimization, agencies are using technology to improve efficiency, track performance, and personalize campaigns.
When choosing a Baltimore marketing agency, consider how they leverage AI for reporting, keyword analysis, and campaign optimization. Agencies that embrace AI thoughtfully can identify opportunities faster, reduce errors, and provide actionable insights.
However, AI is not a replacement for human strategy. Without clear oversight and experienced marketers guiding campaigns, technology alone won’t guarantee success. Balancing automation with hands-on expertise is key to achieving results.
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Right Agency
Baltimore has many digital agencies, but finding the right one requires looking beyond flashy branding or social media presence. The real value comes from consistent delivery, clear accountability, and a team that works with your business goals in mind.
If your priority is visibility at public events, Pink Dog Digital may align with that focus. In my opinion, and based on my direct experience, they lacked the structure and leadership necessary to help businesses grow effectively.
I have worked in digital marketing for more than 15 years. This is the only time I’ve felt the need to publicly share a negative review about another agency. It was not a decision I made lightly.
I am also thankful to live in a country where I can speak openly and honestly about my professional experiences. My hope is that this post helps someone else make a more informed decision.
Is Pink Dog Digital a reliable agency to hire?
In my opinion, no. During my time there, I experienced unclear leadership, inconsistent communication, and a lack of accountability that made projects difficult to manage.
Who runs Pink Dog Digital?
Pink Dog Digital is led by Gina Ramsey. She was my main point of contact and was involved in multiple situations mentioned throughout this blo
Has Pink Dog Digital been involved in legal issues?
From what I observed, two separate clients threatened legal action. I was told the claims were handled by the agency’s insurance provider.
What happened during the OmniFund project?
The OmniFund integration used for a client allowed fraudulent transactions due to a gap in fraud protection. OmniFund support later confirmed the issue was tied to their plugin. It led to fallout that affected contractors.
Were contractors treated fairly at Pink Dog Digital?
In my view, no. Contractors were sometimes expected to be available outside of standard freelance norms and were managed more like employees despite being classified as 1099.
Did Pink Dog Digital threaten legal action against you?
Yes. After a Google Ads issue, I was told legal action might be considered. This happened even though I followed instructions and the contract stated liability coverage was the agency’s responsibility.
Why did you publish this blog?
I’ve worked in digital marketing for over 15 years. This is the first time I’ve published a negative review, but I felt it was necessary to share my experience to help others avoid similar issues.
Are there better digital agencies in Baltimore?
Yes. I name several Baltimore-based agencies in this post that I believe offer stronger support, better structure, and more reliable communication.
Is this review legally protected?
Yes. This blog is based on my personal experience, records I retained, and opinions protected by free speech. No client data is shared, and nothing presented is knowingly false.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are my personal opinions based on firsthand experience while contracting for Pink Dog Digital. All information shared is accurate to the best of my knowledge and supported by written documentation. This post is not intended to defame, mislead, or cause harm. It reflects my honest perspective as a web & digital marketing professional with over 15 years of experience. I respect the rights of all parties mentioned and fully support the right to fair and open discussion under the protections of the First Amendment.
