rush-to-press
The Week's News in Christian Publishing
  • Industry News
  • Milestones
  • Media Announcements
  • Product News
  • Other News

FrontGate Media reaches 20 year milestone

Leading Marketing Agency serves as Gateway to the Christian Audience

Orange County, CA – In an era where many companies are struggling in the wake of the pandemic, the seismic shift of brick and mortar to digital, and tectonic cultural and generational changes, FrontGate Media is continuing to expand their client-base and is proud to be celebrating 20 years as a marketing services firm.

Scott A. Shuford founded FrontGate Media in 2001 after a successful 10+ years in music and film with Frontline Music Group, Diamante Distribution, and the sale of one of the first Christian music web sites, Gofishnet.com to Crosswalk.com. Initially begun as an offshoot of FrontGate Creative, his full-service ad agency known for its work for IHOP, World Vision, Del Taco, OCTFCU and others, FrontGate Media’s mission was born to impact culture by creatively connecting companies with the Christian audiences they sought to influence.

When asked what it means to reach this 20-year milestone, Scott shared, “It has been my honor to see the results of our efforts deeply impact people in both large and small ways working hand-in-hand with world-changing organizations and individuals.”

When asked about favorite projects over the years, Shuford responded, “It’s tough to choose. We strive to move every client forward in their lifecycle, from the leading organizations in their fields to the startup entrepreneur, author, or ministry. I’ve learned that almost every endeavor we work on has value and makes a significant difference in people’s lives.

“There are three that make me smile whenever they cross my mind.  First, when the tsunami hit at Christmas in 2004, as I watched the news with family, I knew I’d get a call from World Vision. Two hours later I did. Within 48 hours, during everyone’s Christmas vacation, our team coordinated and sent millions of tsunami relief emails. Being able to help immediately for such a catastrophic world event at that specific time of year is one of my greatest joys. Second, in our work for El Rey Jesus, we transformed a school backpack giveaway from a humble church-based pick-up day helping 750 families to a Miami media event reaching 12,000 families and engaging 10,000 church members through neighborhood-based small groups. Finally, as part of our work for Pope Francis’ “Wake Up!” spoken word album, we created one of the most culturally, ethnically, and denominationally diverse companion devotionals ever published. Featuring 7 amazing Faith leaders, the devotional helped people engage with the Pope’s messages. It was provided free to everyone, direct and through YouVersion’s The Bible App where it is still engaging readers today, 7 years later.”

Born at a time when banner advertising and email newsletters began to grow in popularity, FrontGate was the first independent digital media group and remains the largest. It is the only group to be founded by a marketer for the purpose of promoting Christian products, services and causes, rather than by a publisher for the purpose of publishing content. An early differentiator was the firm’s preference for sites and events with high engagement, not merely large traffic volume.

The group found early success in bringing together several hugely popular web sites, events, and magazines starting with iTickets.com, Women of Faith’s conferences, and Christian Musician, then expanding to include Youth Specialties, K-LOVE’s Christian Music Planet, Gospel Music Channel, Winter Jam, several of the largest Summer music festivals and tours and more.  Today, FrontGate’s network reaches over 10 million unique visitors monthly and 20+ million email subscribers through market leaders including Israel365, GOD TV, The Washington Times, NewReleaseToday, iTickets, Blue Letter Bible, Worship Musician, and more.

The firm continued to evolve.  Early on, clients began to request Public Relations services after seeing the releases and coverage FrontGate was achieving for itself through announcements about client campaigns and media outlet milestones. In 2007, just one year after the founding of Twitter and 3 years after “The Facebook”, marketing and technology collided again and the firm found the opportunity to become first Christian agency to provide Social Media services.  As success with client ad campaigns in the media group continued, Media Buying requests began to come in to deliver the entire Christian market audience. After years of work across advertising, public relations, event marketing, and social, the firm came full circle to Founder Scott A. Shuford’s history as a full-service agency offering Brand Strategy Development, but now specialized to reach Christians.  More recently, as influencer marketing continues to have an incredible impact on the market, the proprietary FrontGate Women’s Blogger Network was founded then followed by the firm’s exclusive Christian Influencer Group integrating influencers over a variety of platforms to create brand engagement activities, more recently Facebook Street Team development, and last but not least, award-winning video production from FrontGate Moving Pictures (Emmy®, REMI, ICVM, ICFF, & CIFF awards.)

With the firm’s unique focus on engaging the Christian audience, rather than serving one or two industry verticals, FrontGate’s client base spans multiple categories including working with ad agencies, start-ups, non-profits and causes, pastors and churches, movie studios and indie filmmakers; publishers and authors; travel; music labels, artists and managers; retailers; education from elementary to continuing ed, and more.

Serving from 20-40 clients each month ranging from complex brand development campaigns to single ad runs, FrontGate has worked on more than 5,000 campaigns. They have served a diverse clientele including such notable Agencies as Carat, Tocquigny, Media Storm, DigitasLBi, Redbird, and others.  Non-profits include National Day of Prayer, Focus on the Family, AARP’s LifeReimagined, Open Doors, Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs, Gospel for Asia, Pre-Born, PureHOPE, and World Vision which honored the firm as their #1 emedia partner for 6 six years in a row. Publishing clients include Tyndale, HarperCollins’ Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, W Publishing and Harlequin; B&H (Lifeway,) Moody, Barbour, Baker, Deep River, and others, as well as hundreds of independent authors.  Movie campaigns include: The Passion of the Christ, The Chronicles of Narnia franchise, Heaven Is For Real, God’s Not Dead, Son of God, Soul Surfer, The Young Messiah, The Nativity Story, Roe V. Wade, the Word Films roster, PureFlix, Cinedigm’s The Dove Channel, and many more. Church-related work spans coast to coast from Pastor Rick Warren‘s Saddleback Church team in Orange County, CA to Apostle Guillermo Maldonado’s El Rey Jesus in Miami, FL. Leaders in Christian education include Liberty University, Dallas Theological Seminary, Fuller Seminary, Biola University, Bridgeway Academy and more. Some of the most exciting recent projects include brand development and growth for Advancing Native Missions, PraiseWorld3D, the women’s ministry Redeemed Restored, internationally renowned recording artist Steph Carse’s My Shining Hour TV special, album, and devotional; Israel relief charity World Emunah, and Christian Journals Direct with current clients based around the world in the U.S., Israel, the U.K.’s England and Ireland, Australia, and more.

FrontGate’s unique focus and mission have resulted in many accolades including numerous features and interviews in highly respected business publications such as ADWEEK, The Daily Beast, Direct Marketing News, Orange County Business Journal, and more. In 2014, FrontGate Media was awarded the Internet Advertising Competition’s (IAC) highest honors for Best Marketing Website overall and Best Faith-Based Website. The firm has been recognized multiple times in both the IAC and the WebAwards.

In the end, FrontGate Media’s ultimate driving force will continue to be moving the needle for both their clients and the faith-based audience.  For more information about FrontGate Media, please visit www.FrontGateMedia.com.

About FrontGate Media:  Award-winning FrontGate Media is the leading marketing agency and media group specializing in the faith and family audience.  With a 20-year track record of success, the firm serves as “Your Gateway to the Christian Audience.” FrontGate’s full-service agency and media group has been trusted with over 5,000 campaigns, providing Faith-based market Strategy Development, Public Relations, Social Media & Marketing, and Media Buying. FrontGate’s own Digital Network also provides reach to 10 Million UMV, 20 Million Email Subscribers, and Millions more Social Followers each month.  Founded in 2001, FrontGate has repeatedly been honored in the Internet Advertising Competition and the WebAwards. The company plays a key role in the success of for-profit and non-profit organizations seeking faith-based and family-friendly audiences. http://FrontGateMedia.com

FrontGate Testimonials: http://www.frontgatemedia.com/portfolio/testimonials

Media Contact:  Lori Heiselman, 714-553-5181 press@frontgatemedia.com

Sign Up To Receive Industry News Each Week

Subscribe

This Month’s Bestsellers

VIEW BY GENRE
1 FORGIVING WHAT YOU CAN'T FORGET
LYSA TERKEURST
2 JESUS CALLING
SARAH YOUNG
3 THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES
GARY CHAPMAN
4 PRACTICING THE WAY
JOHN MARK COMER
5 NEW MORNING MERCIES
PAUL DAVID TRIPP
6 THE CASE FOR CHRIST
LEE STROBEL
7 THE TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER UPDATED AND EXPANDED
DAVE RAMSEY
8 IMAGINE HEAVEN
JOHN BURKE
9 THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY
JOHN MARK COMER
10 SINCERELY, STONEHEART
EMILY WILSON HUSSEM
View All
1 LOVED TO LIFE
ANN VOSKAMP
2 DON'T LET DOUBT TAKE YOU OUT
TODD MULLINS
3 BELIEVE
ROSS DOUTHAT
4 HERE BE DRAGONS
MELANIE SHANKLE
5 BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
JOYCE MEYER
6 LIT UP WITH LOVE
DERWIN GRAY
7 LIVING FEARLESS GUIDED JOURNAL
JAMIE WINSHIP
8 I'VE GOT QUESTIONS
ERIN HICKS MOON
9 STEPS
JOHN ORTBERG
10 WHEN CULTURE HATES YOU
NATASHA CRAIN
View All
1 TWO SECONDS TOO LATE
DANI PETTREY
2 THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME
DENISE HUNTER
3 WHEN CRICKETS CRY
CHARLES MARTIN
4 THE KEEPER
CHARLES MARTIN
5 REDEEMING LOVE
FRANCINE RIVERS
6 THE BEIJING BETRAYAL
JOEL C. ROSENBERG
7 HINDS' FEET ON HIGH PLACES: AN ENGAGING VISUAL JOURNEY
HANNAH HURNARD
8 THE CARPENTER'S SON
JOHN GRAY
9 THE SHACK
WILLIAM PAUL YOUNG
10 HINDS' FEET ON HIGH PLACES
HANNAH HURNARD
View All
1 FORGIVING WHAT YOU CAN'T FORGET
LYSA TERKEURST
2 JESUS CALLING
SARAH YOUNG
3 THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES
GARY CHAPMAN
4 PRACTICING THE WAY
JOHN MARK COMER
5 NEW MORNING MERCIES
PAUL DAVID TRIPP
6 THE CASE FOR CHRIST
LEE STROBEL
7 THE TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER UPDATED AND EXPANDED
DAVE RAMSEY
8 IMAGINE HEAVEN
JOHN BURKE
9 THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY
JOHN MARK COMER
10 SINCERELY, STONEHEART
EMILY WILSON HUSSEM
View All
1 THE ACTION BIBLE
SERGIO CARIELLO
2 THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
3 THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE
SALLY LLOYD-JONES
4 GREAT AND SMALL PRAYERS FOR BABIES
PAMELA KENNEDY
5 MOSTLY WHAT GOD DOES IS LOVE YOU
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE
6 THE EASTER STORY
PATRICIA A. PINGRY
7 THE WORLD NEEDS THE WONDER YOU SEE
JOANNA GAINES
8 THE BERENSTAIN BEARS AND THE EASTER STORY
JAN BERENSTAIN AND MIKE BERENSTAIN
9 GOD GAVE US EASTER
LISA TAWN BERGREN
10 THE COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BIBLE
JANICE EMMERSON
View All
1 LIVE ON PURPOSE
SADIE ROBERTSON HUFF WITH BETH CLARK AND TAMA FORTNER
2 THE 5-MINUTE BIBLE STUDY FOR TEEN GIRLS
CAREY SCOTT
3 POCKET PRAYERS FOR GRADUATES
MAX LUCADO
4 SINGLE, DATING, ENGAGED, MARRIED
BEN STUART
5 YOURS, NOT HERS
KARI KAMPAKIS
6 WELCOME TO ADULTING
JONATHAN POKLUDA AND KEVIN MCCONAGHY
7 MANGA BIBLE
SIKU
8 TEEN TO TEEN: 365 DAILY DEVOTIONS BY TEEN GUYS FOR TEEN GUYS, Leather
PATTI M. HUMMEL
9 GOD IS WITH YOU EVERY DAY
MAX LUCADO
10 THE POWER OF A PRAYING TEEN
STORMIE OMARTIAN
View All
1 ONE-MINUTE INSPIRATIONS FOR WOMEN
ELIZABETH GEORGE
2 BIBLE PROMISES FOR MOMS
HEIDI ST JOHN
3 THE CASE FOR EASTER
LEE STROBEL
4 THE GOSPEL STORY
MARY WILEY
5 ONE-MINUTE INSIGHTS FOR MEN
JIM GEORGE
6 199 PROMISES OF GOD
BARBOUR PUBLISHING
7 365 READ-ALOUD BEDTIME BIBLE STORIES
DANIEL PARTNER
8 KNOW YOUR BIBLE
PAUL KENT
9 IS GOD SPEAKING TO ME?
LYSA TERKEURST
10 THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE THE VERY FIRST EASTER
THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
View All
1 ESV CHURCH BIBLE
CROSSWAY
2 KJV GIANT PRINT FULL SIZE BIBLE
CHRISTIAN ART PUBLISHERS
3 CSB SHE READS TRUTH BIBLE, Grey
RAECHEL MYERS, AMANDA BIBLE WILLIAMS, CSB BIBLES BY HOLMAN
4 ESV STUDY BIBLE
J. I. PACKER, MARK DEVER, JOHN PIPER
5 NIV THE WOMAN'S STUDY BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
6 NIV ADVENTURE BIBLE, Hardcover
ZONDERVAN
7 NIV LARGE PRINT VALUE THINLINE BIBLE
ZONDERVAN
8 NKJV PERSONAL SIZE LARGE PRINT REFERENCE BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
9 KJV LARGE PRINT PERSONAL SIZE REFERENCE BIBLE
HOLMAN BIBLE PUBLISHERS
10 KJV LARGE PRINT HOLY BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
View All
1 ESV ECONOMY BIBLE
CROSSWAY
2 ESV ECONOMY HOLY BIBLE FOR KIDS
CROSSWAY
3 ESV LARGE PRINT ECONOMY BIBLE
CROSSWAY
4 NLT LARGE PRINT HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY OUTREACH EDITION
TYNDALE
5 NIV LARGER PRINT HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY EDITION
ZONDERVAN
6 NIV ECONOMY BIBLE
ZONDERVAN
7 KJV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE, Black
THOMAS NELSON
8 NLT ECONOMY TEXT BIBLE
TYNDALE
9 NIV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE, Black
ZONDERVAN
10 NLT HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY OUTREACH EDITION
TYNDALE
View All
1 New International Version
2 English Standard Version
3 King James Version
4 New Living Translation
5 New King James Version
6 Christian Standard Bible
7 Reina Valera
8 New Revised Standard Version
9 New International Reader's Version
10 New American Standard Bible
View All
1 PERDONA LO QUE NO PUEDES OLVIDAR
LYSA TERKEURST
2 UN ANO CON DIOS
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
3 LOS 5 LENGUAJES DEL AMOR EDICION REVISADA
GARY CHAPMAN
4 UNA MUJER SABIA
WENDY BELLO
5 EL PODER DE LA MUJER QUE ORA
STORMIE OMARTIAN
6 UNA VIDA CON PROPOSITO, Bolsillo
RICK WARREN
7 DESTINADO AL EXITO
DANTE GEBEL
8 BATALLAS SILENCIOSAS
DAVID SCARPETA
9 DICCIONARIO BIBLICO ILUSTRADO HOLMAN
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
10 UNA MUJER CONFORME AL CORAZON DE DIOS
ELIZABETH GEORGE
View All
1 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Rosa
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
2 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Negro tapa dura
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
3 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Negro imitacion piel
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
4 RVR1960 BIBLIA LETRA GRANDE TAMANO MANUAL EDICION TIERRA SANTA
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
5 RVR1960 BIBLIA DEL PESCADOR LETRA GRANDE
DIAZ-PABON, LUIS ANGEL
6 RVR60 SANTA BIBLIA LETRA SUPERGIGANTE CON CIERRE
RVR 1960- REINA VALERA 1960
7 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Turquesa
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
8 RVR1960 SANTA BIBLIA DE PROMESAS EDICION PARA NINOS
EDITORIAL UNILIT
9 RVR1960 BIBLIA DE APUNTES
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
10 RVR60 SANTA BIBLIA TIERRA SANTA ULTRAFINA LETRA GRANDE
VIDA
View All
1 PREOCUPATE MENOS Y ORA MAS
DONNA K. MALTESE
2 LA GRAN HISTORIA DEL EVANGELIO
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
3 365 HISTORIAS BIBLICAS PARA LA HORA DE DORMIR
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
4 EL SECRETO DE LA PAZ PERSONAL
BILLY GRAHAM
5 ¿PARA QUE ESTOY AQUI EN LA TIERRA?
RICK WARREN
6 DEMASIADO BENDECIDA PARA ESTAR ESTRESADA
DEBORA M. COTY
7 EL VIA CRUCIS PARA TODOS
CLARENCE ENZLER
8 ESTRESATE MENOS, ORA MAS
DONNA K. MALTESE
9 ¿Y AHORA QUE?
RALPH HARRIS
10 EL VALLE DE LOS HUESOS SECOS
YIYE AVILA
View All

Upcoming Events

ECPA webinar: AI Legal Developments | AI & The Biblical Story
June 13 | 10 am central
ECPA International Christian Rights & Export Fair
June 17-18, 2025 | Chicago, Illinois
ECPA webinar: Building and Managing an Effective Intern Program
July 11 | 10 am central
ECPA Asia Rights & Export Fair
September 1-2, 2025 | Bangkok, Thailand
ECPA C-Suite Symposium
September 7-9, 2025 | Tucson, Arizona

Career Center

Backlist and Brand Director
Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, Remote
Publicity Manager
Baker Book House Company, Ada, Michigan (Hybrid)
Acquisitions Editor
Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon
Assistant Director of Marketing, Christian Publishing Group
Penguin Random House, Remote
ECPA LOGO
submit icon

Submit a News Item

Submit industry related news releases to rushtopress @ecpa .org for consideration. Rush to Press is sent every Monday and eligible releases must be received by end of day Friday prior to the Monday’s publication.

announce icon

Career Posts

To announce a job opening in Rush to Press, post it first at the ECPA Career Center and your announcement will appear in the next issue.

subscribe icon

Subscribe

To receive Rush to Press, along with other industry updates from ECPA, please follow the instructions here to create or modify your ECPA community profile. To subscribe to Rush to Press without using a profile, subscribe here.

unsubscribe icon

Unsubscribe

If you would like to be removed from the Rush to Press distribution list, please edit your ECPA profile preferences or email info @ecpa .org.

advertise icon

Advertise

If you would like to reach over 3,300 industry subscribers and media contacts each week, consider advertising in Rush to Press. Contact sponsorship @ecpa .org for more information.

More news at RushtoPress.org. #RushtoPress @ECPA
This is a publication of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. For more information about ECPA, contact info@ecpa.org or visit ECPA.org.
Copyright © 2025 · ECPA