Best Web Design Firm
Winner: Pagano Media, in Worcester
Website: paganomedia.com
Top executive: Joe Pagano, president
Founded: 1981
Employees: 9
Notable runners-up: inConcert Web Solutions in Gardner, Worcester Interactive
Now in operation for more than 40 years, Worcester-based Pagano Media has been around for the entire evolution of the internet.
The small firm has been able to compete with the biggest players in web design by staying on top of the latest trends and technological developments, said Emma Pagano, strategic director at the company.
Pagano Media has adapted to the rise of search engine optimization driving web traffic and users accessing websites through various devices.
“When we take on a new project, whether that’s a branding project, a video project, a web design project, or event production, we really are trying to drive meaning and purpose behind our design,” Pagano said.
That thoughtful approach has allowed the firm to attract big clients from Central Massachusetts and beyond. Web clients of Pagano Media have included global manufacturer Saint-Gobain, Paxton-based Anna Maria College, and California-headquartered Keystone Capital Markets, to name a few.
Pagano Media started as a video-focused marketing firm, founded in an Assumption College dorm room in 1980 by Joe Pagano, Emma’s father. This experience has become even more valuable in an age where web design has taken a more visual-driven approach, she said.
“We capture intention by inspiring audiences to move or take action with less words, more visuals to help tell their stories in many cases,” Emma Pagano said. “Of course, there’s exceptions to that, when things get a little more technical and specialized, but since we offer video services, we can be very nimble with weaving video and imagery into websites.”
The family business’ longstanding reputation in the Worcester area has allowed it to capture big clients in Central Massachusetts, but Pagano credits the firm’s own web presence for its ability to attract top clients from further away, as the company continues to grow.
“In terms of working with brands beyond Worcester, it really has been driven by our website,” she said. “We specialize in search engine optimization, and an area that we’ve really focused on is creating portfolio pages that speak to certain industries. So when we’re sharing our branding, video, and web design work, and say, aerospace and defense or manufacturing, that often leads to inquiries from those spaces all over the country.”
Even as its presence has grown well beyond Worcester, the company hasn’t forgotten its local roots, Pagano said.
“We feel very fortunate,” Pagano said of the 2026 Best of Business recognition. “We love what we do, and we love the greater community of Worcester. We feel very fortunate that we’ve had the opportunity to work with brands across industries and help them tell their stories.”
– Story by Eric Casey
*denotes repeat winner
Best IT Services Provider
Winner: ClearCom IT Solutions, Inc.*, in Sturbridge
ClearCom IT Solutions provides managed IT and cybersecurity services for small- to medium-sized businesses. Services include day-to-day IT support and strategic IT planning aligned with business objectives. The company serves clients in Central Massachusetts and surrounding regions, maintaining a 98% client satisfaction rating and 99% year-over-year retention rate.
Website: www.clearcomit.com
Top executive: Rob Cleary, CEO
Founded: 2001
Employees: 31
Notable runners-up: Cinch I.T., Machado Consulting
Best Awards & Promotional Products
Winner: Crown Trophy*, in Northborough
Crown Trophy provides trophies, plaques, medals, sculptures, gifts, drinkware, barware, custom medals, coins and pins, signage, and apparel. The company offers customization services and maintains inventory of proprietary products.
Website: www.crowntrophy.com
Top executive: Andy Gleckel, owner
Founded: 1996
Employees: 9
Notable runner-up: Olympic Trophy in Worcester
Best Commercial Printer
Winner: Curry Printing*, in Westborough
Curry Printing produces marketing collateral and offers fulfillment services including kitting, inventory management, fulfillment, and in-house mailing. The company provides clients with production and distribution services for administrative and marketing materials. Curry differentiates itself with a laser focus on helping clients be more productive while at the same time ensuring the company generates better results.
Website: CurryPrinting.com
Top executive: Peter Gardner
Founded: 1978
Employees: 26
Notable runners-up: Minuteman Press in Devens, Fitchburg, Marlborough, Milford, Natick, and Worcester; Miles Press in Auburn
Best Advertising Agency
Winner: Munq, in Worcester
Munq provides brand strategy, marketing strategy, campaign management, video production, and design services. Munq operates as a two-person studio and has stood out among the crowd in the five years since its founding by putting extra effort into developing clients’ brands, as well as its own.
Website: munqcreative.com
Top executives: Timothy Hally and Justin Matsen, co-founders
Founded: 2020
Employees: 2
Notable runners-up: Pagano Media in Worcester, Davis Advertising in Worcester
Best Video Production Company
Winner: Munq*, in Worcester
Munq is one of few agencies able to do both brand strategy and video production in house, helping clients unearth entire new directions they want to take their brands. Munq is unafraid to be bold, innovative, and creative in its offerings for clients in an industry that can value safety and sameness.
Website: munqcreative.com
Top executives: Timothy Hally and Justin Matsen, co-founders
Founded: 2020
Employees: 2
Notable runners-up: Pagano Media in Worcester, Davideo in Framingham
