Who we are and what we stand for goes far beyond providing marketing solutions.
Learn what makes us different.
Rooted Rock Marketing
Rooted Rock Marketing is a woman-owned, values-driven digital marketing agency founded in 2020 in the Adirondacks. We were built on the belief that marketing should be done differently—with honesty, integrity, and strategies designed to achieve real business goals and drive revenue.
About Us
“Human-first marketing is at the core of Rooted Rock—beginning with our team, extending to the clients we work with, and reaching the audiences they serve—ensuring every strategy fosters connection and drives results.”
Shelly Cihan
Rooted Rock Founder & Lead Strategist
The Rooted Rock Team
We’re a small but mighty team of seasoned marketers united by a shared purpose — to bring integrity, creativity, and heart to every project we touch. At Rooted Rock, our values guide everything we do. We collaborate closely with clients, uphold our commitment to transparency, and ground every strategy in authenticity and results.
Our Roots
Rooted Rock Marketing was founded in 2020 by Shelly Cihan, an SEO and digital marketing strategist with decades of professional experience. Launched during the height of the pandemic, the agency was built on a vision to create a different kind of marketing partner—one grounded in ethics, transparency, and sustainable strategies.
What began as a small consultancy in the Adirondacks has since grown into a trusted partner for organizations seeking marketing that lasts. From the start, our focus has been on delivering data-driven strategies, clear communication, and measurable results tailored to each client’s unique goals.
What We Offer
From SEO and Generative Engine Optimization (AIO/GEO) to paid media and web design, every program we build is grounded in data analysis and designed to achieve meaningful results. Our services include:
SEO & AIO/GEO: Sustainable strategies that improve visibility in both search engines and generative AI platforms.
Paid Media: Targeted campaigns that drive qualified traffic and maximize return on investment.
Reporting & Analytics: Transparent insights that show exactly how your marketing is working.
Web Design & Optimization: Websites built for performance, accessibility, and conversion.
Every solution is designed to support measurable business growth—not vanity metrics.
What Sets Us Apart
What makes Rooted Rock different is our approach. We’re not a cookie-cutter agency applying the same template to every client. Instead, we take the time to understand your industry, audience, and budget so we can create strategies tailored to your specific goals.
From day one, we’ve committed to ethics over gimmicks. That means:
No shortcuts or black-hat tactics
Clear, plain-English reporting
Long-term strategies that build sustainable growth
In an industry crowded with noise and quick fixes, Rooted Rock focuses on marketing that lasts—building real trust, delivering measurable impact, and helping your organization grow the right way.
Who We Work With
Our clients range from local nonprofits and startups to regional brands and enterprise organizations. We work with destination marketers, educators, local businesses, and service providers—helping them grow ethically and sustainably through human-first marketing.
Our Clients
Rooted Rock’s Core Values
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Every decision should be driven by real, business-specific audience data—never cookie-cutter solutions.
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Marketing should always be ethical, avoiding quick or questionable solutions.
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Communication and transparent reporting lead to stronger results.
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Marketing tactics should be focused on business goals, not traffic quantity.
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Always take responsibility for results, learning from both mistakes and wins.
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Respond to both changes in the industry and client inquiries quickly and thoughtfully.
Insights that Grow Brands
Learn from our work and our words. Our blog and case studies explore the ideas, strategies, and ethics that drive meaningful marketing.
Explore — Real-world marketing obstacles our clients faced
Resolve — How strategy, creativity, and collaboration led the way
Grow — Measurable results and meaningful return on investment
From the Field — Real-world marketing insights from the trenches
Looking Ahead — Future-focused strategies and trends
Grounded in Values — Exploring the ethics that shape our agency
What’s Happening — Fresh updates from the world of marketing
What’s Emerging — The trends guiding tomorrow’s strategies
What Matters — Our take on how it impacts your brand
Don't take our word for it.
Here's what our clients have to say.
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![Treating the Root logo]()
"[Rooted Rock] was very helpful getting me a better spot on Google searches, and helped me change the address for everything when I moved (I am so glad I had them through all of that because it definitely would have not been as smooth, without them), and so much more. Highly recommended!"
Mary Chiappone, Owner
Treating the Root -
![Corey Hurwitch, Adirondack Regional Airport]()
"[Rooted Rock] took the time to understand what we were looking for and checked in frequently along the way to make sure everything was on track. We met our schedule and ended up with a new website we are very happy with. The transition went flawless due to Rooted Rock's professional approach and excellent communication."
Corey Hurwitch, Manager
Adirondack Regional Airport -
![Sue Phillips-Leclerc, Cascade Builders ADK]()
"Rooted Rock Marketing did an excellent job transforming our ideas into a stunning website! We are very pleased with their communication and commitment to creating our Cascade Builders of the Adirondacks Website!"
Sue Phillips-Leclerc, Owner
Cascade Builders ADK -
![Erica Lindemann, Director Marketing, Visit Vancouver Washington]()
"The Rooted Rock team is small, but mighty. They genuinely care about the work they do for you. It’s never a cookie-cutter report and discussion – it’s very tailored to the client’s goals and changing landscape of the industry. We have seen great progress for both search and paid media campaigns.
Erica Lindemann, Director of Marketing
Visit Vancouver Washington -
![Jeff Macharyas, Paul Smith's College]()
Rooted Rock is very informative, and most importantly, very collaborative. They actually listen to the client, understand their abilities, evaluate the ideas and work together to produce stellar solutions. In our meetings, we discuss what’s working, and sometimes, not what’s working, but together we hammer out options based on actual data and analysis.
Jeff Macharyas, Former Director of Communications
Paul Smith’s College: The College of the Adirdonacks -
![A smiling woman with long brown hair, wearing a white blouse and gray blazer, against a plain gray background.]()
I have worked with Shelly for over 10 years and she is by far the most intelligent person I know when it comes to SEO. During my time at Greene County she led a panel discussion on why it is important for businesses to claim their business in Google and how best to optimize their site for searchability. We worked very closely with her on key search terms to incorporate on our site in meta tags, page titles, in marketing and much more.
Heather Bagshaw, Tourism Director
Visit Lake George, NY
