Against the Grain

ATG in Action

Creative Marketing
Soccer for Peace
How donations make a difference: Showing versus telling. Somalia through the eyes of kids who play soccer to promote peace.
CBGB
The relaunch of this NY iconic brand
fěte
Garden and Accessories Retail Start-up
Corporate Identity and PR
Madison Pension Services
One of the leading pension firms servicing small and mid-sized companies was America's best kept pension secrets
Jock & Winnie
ATG positioned this small business to compete with the national chains in the residential real estate arena.

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Who We Are


I started Against the Grain in 1999 to help bridge the gap between a company's creative and business sides. At first this was about breaking down barriers between artistic types and bean counters, but today companies require creativity from all departments to remain competitive.

Against the Grain now helps executives challenge the status quo, think outside of the box, and refocus effort on what really matters. We breakdown department barriers, encourage teamwork, and help senior management create a narrative that inspires employees to make better decisions. We're all about strategy, people and communication.

We have worked with a diverse collection of companies and not-for-profit organizations including the United Nations, Concern Worldwide, CBGB, Paul Newman's Safe Water Network, Northwest Atlantic Real Estate Services and Nashville's 615 Music.

I am an accomplished branding executive with over 15 years of international experience in both corporate and entrepreneurial environments. I'm known for in-depth market analysis, innovative business strategies and strong management skills. ATG creatively aligns technology, brands, celebrities and media to maximize revenue.

I was a senior vice president of HMV Records, a division of EMI Music Group, for ten years. I'm a Harvard Business School Graduate, and co-author of the best selling business book, The World's Largest Market, released by the American Management Association. I am on the board of Westtech Research, a leading wireless technology consultant based in Palo Alto. I'm also an award winning fiction writer, musician, and songwriter. The CBGB Comic Book Series, of which I was the executive producer and co-writer of Story 7, was nominated for a 2011 Harvey Award.

I work closely with two Manhattan based companies, Beardwood & Co, a boutique design and branding group who work with companies like Budweiser and the Limited; and Oui 2, a pr/​events agency with clients like EMI Publishing and the Friars Club. Both extend the reach of ATG to provide a seamless portfolio of services.




I was an associate fellow at the business school writing cases and a book for the American Management Association.

I had the privilege to oversee this project for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

I was part of the start up team for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Robert with Jon Bon Jovi






I was part of a team that brought HMV to NYC in the 90's. I built and designed this store that once dominated 5th Avenue.

Meet Louise Staley


Louise Staley started as a NYU Intern at CBGB in 1986. She quickly moved up to talent buyer and became General Manager until the club's closing in 2006. Following the sale of CBGB, she was in charge of Artist Relations at CBGB Holdings. Louise recently joined Against the Grain and is responsible for helping bands and artists with their careers.


This was a mall prototype for HMV pre-Napster. It was an awesome store, but the days for such products was already on the wane.

Robert with Sarah McLachlan

Haiti, September '06 for ConcernUSA.