About Alex Tracy, PhD

A Brand Strategy Consultant and Fractional CMO in Atlanta with a… shall we say different background

I'm a Brand Strategist and Fractional CMO who helps the "Purveyors of Creativity and Insight" build their brands. My approach is shaped by 14 years of leadership and a PhD where my research explored narrative strategy: how foundational stories are told, adopted, and ultimately lived by a community. I help you craft the message that doesn't just describe what you do, but invites your ideal clients to become part of your story.

From the Pulpit to the Practice

Alex Tracy, PhD, digital marketing and PR specialist

My path to this work wasn't traditional, but it taught me everything I know about what truly works. My PhD taught me communication theory, but my fourteen years as a pastor taught me its practice in the most demanding of environments.

Ministry is the work of connection. It’s about articulating a vision that resonates and inspiring people to act on shared values. Driven by necessity, I learned to build the systems that create a thriving community in the modern world. I built the websites, managed the rebranding efforts, and decoded the algorithms of social media to connect with people where they actually were.

And every single week, I crafted a keynote address designed to find the universal truth in a complex idea and make it relevant, actionable, and real.

It was a profound education. I learned that flashy tactics fade, but an authentic story endures. I learned that trust is the only metric that matters. And I saw firsthand how a clear, principled message could build a resilient, loyal community. That experience is the foundation of every strategy I build today.

My Guiding Principles

This agency is built on a foundation of core beliefs that inform how I work and who I work with.

  • Community over Competition: My work aims to strengthen the bonds that help individuals and purpose-driven businesses flourish together.

  • Radical Inclusion: I am committed to creating spaces—both digital and relational—where diverse perspectives are valued and every voice can be heard.

  • Principled Transparency: I believe honesty and truth-telling are the only foundation for building lasting trust.

  • Sustainable Growth: My focus is on building enduring brand value, not just chasing fleeting trends.

  • A Commitment to Justice: I strive to use my work to help build a more fair and equitable world.

On a Personal Note...

When I'm not decoding brand narratives, you can find me solving the daily New York Times crossword. My thinking is usually soundtracked by Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, and if there’s any time left over, I’m probably playing tabletop games with family or friends.

Squarespace Circle Membership Badge

Member, International Association of Business Communicators

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
— Attributed to John Wesley

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Hiring an external brand strategist and fractional marketing expert like me can save you time and money that you would otherwise spend on recruiting, training, and administration. And with those savings, you still get a dedicated specialist in brand messaging, sales funnels, and integrated marketing. It’s a win-win.

  • Yes. My entire approach was born from necessity. As a pastor, I believed deeply in using a multi-channel outreach approach for growing a community, but I had little to no budget to hire help. So, I taught myself everything from the ground up.

    I studied, experimented, and implemented the strategies myself. It was a hands-on process of testing, learning, and refining what actually creates results. That practical, strategic approach is still at the heart of my practice today. The strategy, the execution, and our relationship are all either handled by me or directly overseen by me.

  • Many small businesses have faced a frustrating scenario: they hire a large agency, only to be handed off to a junior staffer who doesn't grasp their vision. The result is often a project that falls short on aesthetics, functionality, and overall strategy.

    I offer a different path. When you hire the Tracy Agency, you get me, Alex Tracy, on every call and every project. I intentionally limit my client roster to ensure I can provide the dedicated, individualized attention your business deserves. This boutique approach means you get senior-level expertise and a truly tailored strategy, all at a price point that makes sense for small businesses, solopreneurs, and nonprofits.

  • That's the right question to ask, and I think about the answer in two connected ways:

    1. Immediate Traction: Some efforts are designed to make an impact quickly. A new website design provides an instant improvement to your brand's presence, while a targeted paid advertising campaign can begin generating traffic and leads within the first few weeks or months.

    2. Long-Term Growth: Other work is about building a valuable, sustainable asset for your brand. This is like planting a tree. Foundational efforts like Search Engine Optimization (SEO), ongoing content marketing, and building your authority through public relations take time to mature. You can expect to see significant, lasting results from this work over the course of several months, typically beginning around the 3-6 month mark.

    From our very first conversation, I’ll provide a clear roadmap with realistic timelines for both short-term wins and long-term, sustainable success.

  • A Fractional CMO, or Chief Marketing Officer, is an experienced marketing leader who partners with your business on a part-time or project basis, rather than as a full-time employee. This model provides your organization with senior-level marketing expertise and strategic oversight without the overhead of a full-time executive salary.

  • While both are 1099 contractors, the distinction is crucial:

    • Strategic vs. Tactical: A freelancer typically executes specific tasks – a single blog post, a standalone ad campaign. A Fractional CMO, however, provides overarching strategic leadership. I'm embedded within your team to build the comprehensive integrated marketing roadmap, ensuring every element, from digital marketing initiatives like SEO and social media to public relations strategies, works cohesively towards your business goals.

    • Long-Term Engagement: Freelancers are often hired for short-term projects. My role as a Fractional CMO is a longer-term partnership, focused on sustained growth and continuous optimization of your marketing efforts. It's about having a seasoned strategic mind guiding your overall marketing direction, not just outsourcing individual tasks.

  • Traditional agencies often specialize in one area (like PR, digital ads, or web design) and serve multiple clients simultaneously. This can sometimes lead to:

    • Siloed Strategies: Different agencies might manage different marketing channels, leading to fragmented efforts and inconsistent messaging. For example, a PR agency might secure media mentions, but their work might not be fully integrated with your SEO or content strategy.

    • Less Integrated Oversight: While agencies execute, they typically don't provide the high-level, integrated strategic leadership that ties all your marketing efforts together into one cohesive roadmap.

    • Arm's-Length Relationship: Agencies work for you. As a Fractional CMO, I work with you, functioning as an embedded part of your leadership team. My focus is on understanding your internal communication, organizational culture, and long-term vision to build truly sustainable growth from within.

    My approach ensures all your digital marketing and public relations efforts are strategically aligned and executed through a single, expert point of contact, driving greater efficiency, consistency, and a clearer path to attracting ideal clients.Item description

When I was looking to transition out of full-time ministry and seeking employment at a non-profit Dr. tracy helped me to restructure my resume. He helped me figure out the ministry skills that would be attractive in the marketplace, and he gave me practical, actionable advice for the job market. I now have employment in a job that I love and I'm so grateful that Dr. Tracy gave me that help.

-Rev. Matt Stout (Personal Branding and Narrative)

Ready to Connect?

If my approach resonates with you, I’d love to hear your story. Click the button below to schedule a time to talk!