The Golden State Company

What The Golden State Company does

The Golden State Company is a privately held holding company that operates an interconnected portfolio of media and marketing businesses. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in El Segundo, California, with a second principal office in Atlanta, Georgia, the company describes itself as a "connected network of media brands and agencies organized around a shared ethos." Its operating units consist of Near&Dear, a full-service marketing and growth agency serving brands in the vitality economy (health, wellness, beauty, longevity, sexual health, and self-optimization); Emergent Media, a creator-led community connecting brands with audiences through content and strategic partnerships; Driftward, a curated e-commerce platform for fine art photography and design products; and Southbay and Ventura Blvd, regional lifestyle media brands serving Southern California communities with local content, events, and experiences. Named enterprise clients of the Near&Dear agency include Addyi (Sprout Pharmaceuticals), OrangeTwist, Senté, Jeisys, and Neocis.

The company's technology footprint is limited and described in disclosed materials as a web-based digital platform employing cookies and analytics tracking, hosted in the United States. There is no public API, SDK, or proprietary platform product; product delivery is conducted through the company websites (nearanddear.agency, thisisemergent.com, driftward.com) and standard digital channels. Near&Dear was launched on January 27, 2026, adding agency services in strategy, creative, media, and digital experience to the existing regional media and e-commerce operations.

The Golden State Company generates revenue through three primary streams: professional services fees from the Near&Dear agency, e-commerce sales from Driftward, and advertising/sponsorship revenue from the regional media brands and Emergent Media's content partnerships. Go-to-market motions vary by subsidiary — Near&Dear uses a sales-led motion targeting enterprise and mid-market vitality brands, Emergent Media uses a creator-led community motion, Driftward sells directly to consumers through its own storefront, and the regional media brands rely on advertising and event-based distribution. The company is structured as an LLC, filed an SEC Form D in February 2022 attempting to raise $2,000,000 in equity, and remains privately held with co-chairmen Todd Klawin and Charlie Koones leading the organization.

Name

The Golden State Company

Legal name

The Golden State Copmany, LLC.

Website

https://thegoldenstatecompany.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Golden State Company is a privately held holding company that operates an interconnected portfolio of media and marketing businesses, including the Near&Dear full-service marketing agency focused on vitality economy brands, the Emergent Media creator community, the Driftward fine-art e-commerce platform, and the Southbay and Ventura Blvd regional lifestyle media brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

El Segundo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Marketing Agency Services: Near&Dear generates revenue as a full-service marketing and growth agency providing strategy, creative, media, and digital experience services to brands in health, wellness, and vitality.
2. E-commerce Sales: Driftward e-commerce platform sells fine art photography and curated design products directly to consumers.
3. Digital Media Advertising: Regional lifestyle media brands (Southbay, Ventura Blvd) and Emergent Media generate revenue through advertising, content partnerships, and sponsored experiences.
4. Equity Fundraising: Company filed SEC Form D for exempt securities offering to raise capital through equity interests.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Golden State Company operates as an interconnected house of lifestyle brands and companies spanning digital media, e-commerce, and agency markets. Its portfolio includes Near&Dear (a full-service marketing and growth agency focused on vitality economy brands), Emergent Media (a creator-led community), Driftward (an e-commerce platform for fine art photography and curated design), and Southbay/Ventura Blvd (regional lifestyle media brands serving Southern California).

Product overview

The Golden State Company is an interconnected house of lifestyle brands and companies operating in the digital media, e-commerce, and agency markets. The portfolio consists of Near&Dear (a full-service marketing and growth agency), Emergent Media (a creator-led community), Driftward (an e-commerce platform for fine art photography), and Southbay/Ventura Blvd (regional lifestyle media brands). The organization serves audiences, customers, and partners in the digital media, e-commerce and agency markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Near&Dear: A full-service marketing and growth agency focused on brands advancing human vitality, health, and longevity.
• Emergent Media
• Driftward
• Southbay and Ventura Blvd

Products and services

• Near&Dear A full-service marketing and growth agency providing strategy, creative, media, and digital experience services to enterprise brands advancing human vitality, health, and longevity.
• Emergent Media A creator-led community that builds exceptional digital experiences and connects brands with audiences through innovative content creation, strategic partnerships, and authentic storytelling.
• Driftward An e-commerce platform offering a curated collection of fine art photography and design pieces for homes and spaces, sold directly to consumers.
• Southbay A regional lifestyle media brand serving Southern California communities with engaging content, events, and experiences.
• Ventura Blvd A regional lifestyle media brand serving Southern California communities with engaging content, events, and experiences.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fingerpaint: Independent, full-service health and wellness marketing agency with capabilities across strategy, creative, media, and digital experience. Closely comparable to Near&Dear in scope, vertical focus, and full-service agency model.
• Saatchi Art: Leading online art gallery selling original art and limited-edition prints directly to consumers. Closely comparable to Driftward's e-commerce focus on photography and curated design for home and lifestyle buyers.
• 1stDibs: Online marketplace for luxury furniture, home decor, and fine art. Comparable to Driftward's positioning at the intersection of curated design, photography, and premium e-commerce for design enthusiasts.
• Modern Luxury: Multi-city regional lifestyle media company publishing local luxury magazines, websites, and events. Directly comparable to Southbay and Ventura Blvd as a portfolio of regional lifestyle media brands serving affluent local communities.
• Calcium: Independent health and wellness marketing agency offering strategy, creative, media, and digital experience services. Comparable to Near&Dear in vertical focus, service mix, and agency model.
• Real Chemistry: Data-driven healthcare and life-sciences marketing and communications agency. Directly comparable to Near&Dear's vitality-economy positioning, with similar enterprise healthcare client work and integrated media/creative capabilities.
• Artsy: Online art marketplace and editorial platform selling fine art and design from galleries worldwide. Directly comparable to Driftward's e-commerce model for fine art photography and curated design products.

Broad incumbents

• Havas Health & You: Global healthcare and wellness marketing network within Havas. Operates in the same health/wellness agency category as Near&Dear but at much larger scale, with broader geographic and service reach.
• Droga5: High-end creative agency (part of Accenture Song) known for brand storytelling and integrated campaigns. Comparable to Near&Dear's full-service creative-and-media model at a larger, more established scale.

Emerging players

• Jellysmack: Creator-led media company that partners with digital creators to grow, monetize, and distribute content across platforms. Comparable to Emergent Media's creator-community and brand-partnership model within The Golden State Company's portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ourgoldenstate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Golden State Company