Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruth McCartney.
Hi Ruth, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Childhood roots (early 1960s–70s)
As a youngster growing up with her mother, Angie, Ruth helped sort and respond to Sir Paul McCartney’s fan mail at their home. This “pocket‑money” task—organizing letters from around the globe and crafting responses—sparked her early awareness of fan engagement
In 1972, she assisted her mother in creating The Wings Fun Club, further deepening her appreciation for the connection between artists and fans
Formal launch of McCartney Multimedia (1995)
In 1995, Ruth co‑founded McCartney Multimedia, Inc.—a woman- and minority-owned creative agency—with her husband, Martin Nethercutt, and her mother. Based originally in Nashville, TN, and later expanding to Los Angeles, the company offered flash websites, CRM/e‑commerce solutions, rich media, and cutting-edge initiatives under Ruth’s direction.
Expansion into the digital realm (1996 onward)
By 1996, Ruth began steering the agency toward the rapidly evolving online space—offering web development, e‑CRM, email marketing, database solutions, and social media strategies. She also launched iFanz.com, a fan‑management platform designed to help musicians, celebrities, and brands collect, engage, and retain fans through data-driven communication.
Current Day
Ruth, Martin and Angie operate McCartney Multimedia, Inc. as a full-service digital creative agency, offering everything from brand and logo development, website creation and PR to social media strategy, content creation and management. They also own McCartneyStudios.com which represents not just Directors and DPs, but also an award-winning roster of culinary talent including Michelin and James Beard Chefs.
She is the co-host of a weekly video podcast “Teaflix Tuesdays” at 11:30 on Facebook Live and then on their YouTube channel where Ruth & Angie interview all kinds of fascinating guests from all walks of lifestyle careers, musicians, actors, writers, chefs, authors, club owners and more.
She is also the author of a cookbook of old British recipes “With a Little Help From My Scones”, the co-author with Angie of the 2000+ years of the history of tea called “A;; You Need is Tea” and is working on 2 other books currently about both the idiosyncrasies of the English language and the mind of Billy Joel.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not entirely smooth—but definitely rewarding! Like any pioneering business in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, McCartney Multimedia has faced its fair share of challenges. In the early days of the internet, we were introducing brands and artists to online marketing, e-commerce, and fan engagement before many even knew what a website was. Convincing traditional businesses and entertainment clients to invest in “the digital future” took persistence and vision.
We’ve also had to navigate the fast-changing nature of technology itself—staying current (and often ahead of the curve) as platforms, tools, and algorithms constantly evolved. There were times when clients didn’t fully understand the ROI of digital or fan data, QRCodes, Social media, OWNERSHIP of your “customer” data, and so we had to be both educators and innovators.
Another struggle was being a woman- and minority-owned business in a male-dominated tech world in the mid-’90s. But we turned that into a strength, using our unique perspective to deliver more inclusive, human-centered solutions.
Every challenge taught us something, and helped us grow into the resilient, globally connected digital agency we are today. Never say never!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
McCartney Multimedia, Inc. is a boutique, full-service digital strategy agency that has been at the forefront of online innovation since 1995. We specialize in digital branding, fan engagement, multimedia production, web design, social media strategy, e-commerce, and AI-driven marketing solutions. From Fortune 500 companies to indie artists and nonprofit organizations, our mission is to help clients, chefs and creatives tell their story authentically, creatively, and effectively across all platforms.
We’re best known for combining old-school storytelling with cutting-edge digital tools. Whether it’s building fan databases, launching global e-commerce sites, creating NFT campaigns, or producing viral video content, our strength lies in crafting customized strategies that move the needle.
What sets us apart is our decades-long legacy in fan relationship management—beginning with sorting Beatles fan mail in the ‘60s to launching one of the first fan database platforms, iFanz. Nowadays we use a combination of relationships AND technology to amplify our clients including FYCOnline.com – a Grammy® and James Beard “for your consideration” destination that presents the project/restaurant to voters of various awards academies in a concise manner. We’re also proudly woman- and minority-owned, and deeply rooted in both the entertainment and tech industries.
What are we most proud of brand-wise?
We take pride in our agility, integrity, and relationships. Our work is as diverse as our clients—whether it’s promoting a Michelin-starred restaurant, launching a social justice campaign, or supporting a rock legend’s legacy with archival projects and digital merchandising.
What should readers know?
At McCartney Multimedia, we don’t do cookie-cutter. Every brand has a story, and we help you tell yours in a way that resonates—visually, emotionally, and digitally. We’re your strategic partner in a world where content, commerce, and culture are constantly evolving. Case in point at McCartney.ai we are using AI to PROTECT the voices of actors and VO artists as a hedge against deep fakes with our VVV – “VerifiedVoiceVault.com”. So, we are always innovating that’s for sure.
How do you think about luck?
Luck has definitely played a role—but I believe it’s about recognizing opportunity when it knocks, and being prepared to open the door.
Growing up in the orbit of one of the most famous bands in history gave me early exposure to global fan culture, media, and the power of storytelling. That was certainly a kind of good luck—but I had to turn that unique upbringing into something meaningful. The real work was learning how to harness that experience into a business that could serve others in the digital age.
Of course, there have been moments of bad luck too—tech crashes, economic downturns, even the unpredictable nature of social media algorithms—but we’ve always seen those as pivots rather than failures. Each challenge has brought a new chance to innovate, adapt, and grow stronger.
So yes—luck plays a part. But it’s what you do with it that matters most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mccartney-multimedia.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ruthmccartney1960
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuthMcCartneyDigitalDiva
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthmccartney/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ruthmccartney
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@McCartneyStudios
- Soundcloud: https://ruthmccartney.com
- Other: https://mccartneystudios.com
Image Credits
Headshot = Christian Volquartz
