JayRay

From sun-ripened dates to seafood straight from the source, from perching at the edge of an Ice Age canyon to seeing a familiar beach through a dog's-eye view, we love helping destinations find the stories only they can tell.

This year, that meant rethinking a print strategy, pairing a guide with a brand-new visitor app and welcoming future neighbors along with first-time visitors.

So what makes a visitor guide worth keeping? Take an insider's look at three we brought to life in 2026:

Turning Pages Into Trips: A Look Inside Three 2026 Visitor Guides – JayRay From sun-ripened dates to seafood straight from the source, perching at the edge of an ancient canyon to seeing a familiar beach through a dog’s-eye view, we love helping destinations find the stories only they can tell. Read on for an insider’s look at three visitor guides we brought to life th...

The best stories rarely start with the obvious.

They start with a good question, a little digging and a willingness to follow an unexpected lead. That’s exactly the kind of curiosity Emilie Firn brings to JayRay as our newest communications advisor.

Before joining JayRay, Emilie built her career in documentary television, working on projects for National Geographic and BET. Now, she’s putting that producer mindset to work for our clients across PR, content, video and integrated campaigns.

Part researcher. Part producer. Always a storyteller. We’re excited to have her on the team.

Meet Emilie and learn more about the stories that brought her to JayRay:

JayRay Adds Storyteller Emilie Firn to the Team – JayRay The best stories rarely start with the obvious. They start with a good question. A little digging. A willingness to follow an unexpected lead and see where it goes. That’s exactly the kind of curiosity Emilie Firn brings to JayRay as our newest communications advisor. Before making the move to age...

At JayRay, we rarely take ourselves too seriously, and the same goes for our holiday cards.

Want proof?

Read on to learn about the weirdest thing Senior Art Director Julia has ever been paid to draw.

And if you're ready to sleigh this year's message, we think July is the perfect time to start. Because big ideas take time. Let's talk now, before your CEO asks for a custom microsite and you wish you'd started sooner.

The Incredible Squatch: The Holiday Card that Never Saw the Light of Day At JayRay, we rarely take ourselves too seriously, and the same goes for our holiday cards. Proof? It was late 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic...

The new Tribal Guide to Maritime Washington, developed by the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area in partnership with the Squaxin Island and Suquamish Tribes, creates space for Indigenous voices to share the maritime heritage, history and living cultures that have shaped Washington's saltwater shores for generations.

It was an honor to help bring this vision to life through thoughtful design and digital experiences that invite more people to learn from these stories, while always keeping the voices they belong to at the center.

Read more:

The Best Stories Are Told by the People Who Live Them – JayRay The best storytelling doesn’t put itself at the center. It creates space for the right voices to be heard. That’s what made the Tribal Guide to Maritime Washington such a meaningful project. Developed by the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area alongside the Squaxin Island and Suquamish Tr...

Everyone orders the burger. Then someone orders the chef's special.

Funny how the "safe" choice is often forgotten, while the unexpected one becomes the story everyone tells.

We think travel works the same way.

As more travelers seek authentic experiences, fewer crowds and hidden discoveries, destinations that might once have been overlooked have a real opportunity to shine. That's exactly what inspired our recent campaign with Visit Federal Way, WA.

In our latest blog, we explore why unexpected destinations are becoming among the most memorable and what destination marketers can learn from this shift.

If you've ever fallen in love with a place you almost skipped, this one's for you.

Have you ever discovered a destination that completely surprised you? Tell us where in the comments — we're always looking for new adventures.

📖 Read the full blog here:

Everyone Orders the Burger. Then Someone Orders the Special. – JayRay Why the best travel stories often begin in the places you weren’t planning to visit. You know the scene. You're out to dinner with friends. Nearly everyone orders the burger. It's reliable. Familiar. You know it'll be good. Then someone orders the chef's special. When the meals arrive, suddenly ev...

Some legacies are built to last. Since 1911, HD Fowler Company has been a fixture of the Pacific Northwest, becoming the area’s largest independent, family-owned distributor of waterworks, irrigation, pump and wastewater equipment. Now in its fourth generation of family leadership, HD Fowler has built its reputation on diligence, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to the people and communities it serves. It's exactly the kind of story we love to help tell.

Read more:

Amplifying a PNW Icon: A New Partnership with HD Fowler Company – JayRay Some legacies are built to last. Since 1911, HD Fowler Company has been a fixture of the Pacific Northwest, becoming the area’s largest independent, family...

JayRay has a fresh new look! We've launched a refreshed brand and an all-new website that better reflects who we've become over 56 years of helping organizations share meaningful stories. You'll find updated work, expanded services, a new color (hello, Visionary Violet!) and even a few playful easter eggs inspired by our team. While our look has evolved, our promise hasn't: we're still the creative partner you trust to make it happen. Pull up a chair and look around.

Read the story behind our refresh:

Same Grit. Fresh Perspective. – JayRay JayRay unveils a refreshed brand and new website. For 56 years, we've helped organizations share stories. Now, it's time to tell our own. We're stoked...

We’re fortunate to work alongside organizations that make our communities stronger, vibrant and more connected. This spring, we welcomed two new nonprofit partners and expanded our work with a longtime collaborator, each dedicated to preserving culture, creating opportunity and enriching lives across Washington and beyond.

Read more about our partnerships with the Museum of Glass, Olympic Peninsula YMCA and Maritime Washington National Heritage Area:

Meaningful Momentum: JayRay Welcomes Three Community-Focused Partners » JayRay Branding | Advertising | Strategic Communications