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Austin, Texas — Door No. 3, the Austin-based growth marketing firm, announced today the appointment of Bethany Cranfield as President, marking a pivotal step in the agency’s over 30- year evolution as it sharpens its focus on organizations advancing health, mobility and education.
The appointment comes amid widespread change in the marketing industry, as brands face tighter budgets, increased pressure to prove ROI, and growing demand for accountability. Door No. 3 views this moment as an opportunity to modernize the agency model by prioritizing operational discipline, measurable outcomes, and growth that’s sustainable and responsible.
Founded in 1994 by a female entrepreneur, Door No. 3 has long been rooted in purpose-driven work. Under the leadership of Principal Prentice Howe, who acquired the agency in 2015, DN3 has grown into a trusted partner for public-purpose brands across Texas and beyond. Cranfield’s appointment signals both a return to those roots and a clear path forward.
Bethany always says, ‘Health breeds growth’—and that mindset has become our operating system,” said Prentice Howe, Founder of Door No. 3. “She’s helped us set the table for long-term success, grounding our team in clarity, discipline, and purpose. With Bethany as President, we’re not just ready for what’s next. We’re built for it.”
Cranfield began her career in public service as a foster care and adoption caseworker before moving into agency leadership roles in NYC at firms including WPP, B+A, and Dunham+Company. She joined Door No. 3 in 2023 as Vice President of Growth, bringing a national perspective and expanding the agency’s roster to include brands such as Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner., T3, and Niagen Bioscience.
Bethany steps into the role at a time when only 30.2% of women hold leadership positions in the marketing agency industry. As part of that group, she is an advocate for advancing women in leadership and leads Door No. 3’s internal inclusivity initiative. She has also earned multiple nominations for the Austin Business Journal’s Notable Women in Business awards.
As President, Cranfield oversees finance, sales, and client leadership, strengthening the foundation for disciplined growth while advancing a modern agency model aligned with mission and metrics.
That momentum is reflected in the agency’s work with organizations such as Texas College Savings Plans, Texas ABLE, Texas.gov, Waterloo Audiology and Baylor Scott & White Health, partnerships that underscore Door No. 3’s renewed focus on public-purpose impact.
Outside the office, Bethany is a mother of three and a singer-songwriter, perspectives that reinforce her belief in sustainable growth, creative discipline, and leadership that balances ambition with care. Together, that mindset and momentum signal what’s next for Door No. 3: growth that’s built to last.
About Door No. 3
Founded in Austin in 1994, Door No. 3 is an independent growth marketing firm partnering with public-purpose brands across healthcare, mobility, and education to deliver strategy, creative, and media that turn mission into measurable momentum.