INK

What INK does

INK Communications Co. is a privately held, women-owned B2B marketing communications agency founded in 2004 in Austin, Texas by Starr Million Baker (CEO) and Kari Hernandez (CSO + Co-founder). The firm serves enterprise and mid-market clients in B2B technology and energy verticals, offering integrated communications programs that combine public relations, corporate communications, content marketing, digital marketing, brand strategy and research, creative and web services, and a recently introduced AI Visibility service. All client work is unified under the agency's trademarked 'Be There Before®' proprietary methodology, a proactive framework designed to anticipate change and drive measurable business impact.

The agency's core technology and IP consist of this trademarked methodology, the proprietary Be There Before (BTB) monthly media trend reports covering B2B tech and energy sectors (including dedicated data center reports launched in 2025-2026), and an AI Visibility service introduced in 2026 that addresses generative engine optimization (GEO), AI search audits, and ongoing AI monitoring for client brands. INK does not operate a software platform or self-serve product; delivery is entirely services-based through a distributed team of approximately 30+ professionals across Austin and Denver offices, with senior leaders recruited from agencies such as Ogilvy, Porter Novelli, Hill+Knowlton, Matter, and Bhava Communications.

INK generates revenue through professional services fees structured as multi-year retainers and project engagements, with Director-level personnel managing $1M+ in client revenue each. Clients include Bluetooth SIG, Anaconda, Cognite, Enel, FlexGen, Zayo, Dover Fueling Solutions, NI, CoreLogic, Enbridge, and Mitsubishi Power, among others. The firm reports a 61% client return rate, sustains a sales-led enterprise field-sales go-to-market motion, and has earned sustained industry recognition including PRNews Agency Elite Top 100, PR Daily Top Agency, Inc. 5000, and Inc. Magazine Power Partner.

Name

INK

Legal name

INK Communications Co.

Website

https://ink-co.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

INK Communications Co. is a privately held, women-owned B2B marketing communications agency founded in 2004 that serves enterprise technology and energy clients with integrated PR, content, digital, brand, creative, and AI visibility services under its trademarked Be There Before® methodology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marketing Communications Services

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Public Relations Agencies (541820)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Advertising (Brand + Performance + Media) (BPAFAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

B2B/ABM Creative Agencies (MPAAAAAI)

Keywords

• B2B public relations
• Marketing communications
• Corporate communications
• Content marketing services
• Brand strategy consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Marketing Communications Services: INK generates revenue through professional services fees for integrated marketing communications programs. Services include public relations, thought leadership, digital and content marketing, brand strategy, AI visibility, and creative services. Revenue is earned through retainer-based engagements and project fees, with typical Director-level positions commanding $1M+ in revenue-under-management per person.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

INK Communications Co. is a full-service B2B marketing communications agency serving technology and energy companies. The agency delivers integrated programs spanning public relations, corporate communications, content marketing, digital marketing, brand strategy and research, creative and web services, and AI visibility, anchored by its trademarked Be There Before® proactive methodology. Engagements are sold on retainer or project bases with multi-year contracts and dedicated account teams.

Product overview

INK Communications Co. is a full-service marketing communications agency for B2B technology and energy companies, operating as a service-based firm rather than a software platform. The agency offers an integrated portfolio of seven core service offerings: Public Relations, Corporate Communications, Content Marketing, Digital Marketing, Brand Strategy + Research, Creative + Web Services, and AI Visibility. These services are unified under the company's proprietary Be There Before® methodology, a trademarked proactive framework designed to anticipate change and drive measurable business impacts. The agency also produces proprietary research products including the Be There Before® (BTB) Reports—a series of monthly media trend analysis reports covering B2B tech and energy sectors, plus special data center reports. The AI Visibility service represents a newer offering focused on helping clients manage their presence in AI-generated search results through GEO-optimized communications. INK operates from Austin and Denver offices with team members across North America.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Be There Before®: INK's trademarked proprietary methodology for prioritizing proactivity in client partnerships, integrated communications, and analysis. A company-wide practice designed to foster lasting partnerships, integrate communications across channels, and drive measurable business impacts.
• BTB (Be There Before)

Products and services

• Public Relations PR services that shape perception, conversation, and action for B2B tech and energy companies, including media relations, analyst relations, events, speaking and awards, spokesperson training, and thought leadership programs.
• Corporate Communications Corporate communications services including employer branding, crisis and issues management, policy communications, and regional playbook strategies for navigating brand reputation challenges.
• Content Marketing Content marketing services including content strategy, thought leadership content, research reports, demand generation, sales enablement, and sponsored content to drive lead generation and brand credibility.
• Digital Marketing Digital marketing services including social media advertising, organic social media, PPC marketing, executive social media, programmatic advertising, influencer marketing, direct media buying, and employee advocacy.
• Brand Strategy + Research Brand strategy and research services including brand positioning and messaging, product messaging frameworks, and owned research and audience personas to help B2B tech and energy companies build differentiated brands.
• Creative + Web Services Creative and web services including graphic design, visual identity, social graphics and video, web design and development, and SEO strategy and audit to bring brands to life visually.
• AI Visibility AI visibility service that helps B2B tech and energy companies understand how they appear in AI-generated responses, correct misinformation, and layer AI visibility into their integrated communications programs through AI search audits, GEO-optimized communications, and ongoing AI monitoring.
• Be There Before® (BTB) Reports Monthly proprietary media trend analysis reports tracking emerging narratives across B2B tech and energy sectors, including special reports on data centers, to help communications leaders anticipate where conversations are heading. Available by subscription and download.

Quantifiable outcome

• 61% of clients return for additional work
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Diversity Action AlliancecoreOthersINK is a member of the Diversity Action Alliance, which has a goal to achieve continuous improvement for under-represented groups in the PR and communications fields, as measured by recruitment, retention, and representation in management, so that the industry will reflect the same diversity as the United States by 2025.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Walker Sands: Mid-sized B2B tech PR and integrated marketing agency with similar client base of technology and growth-stage companies. Closely comparable in size, services (PR, content, demand gen), and B2B tech vertical focus.
• PAN Communications: Mid-sized B2B technology and healthcare PR agency offering integrated communications programs. Comparable services, similar mid-market to enterprise client profile, and overlapping technology vertical specialization.
• ARPR: B2B tech PR and integrated marketing agency serving technology and healthcare innovators. Comparable size and service mix (PR, content, social, demand gen) with overlapping B2B technology focus.
• Highwire PR: Mid-sized B2B technology PR agency serving enterprise and growth-stage technology companies. Closely comparable in size, vertical focus, and integrated communications offerings.
• SourceCode Communications: B2B technology PR agency recognized by PRNews and other industry lists. Comparable size and B2B technology focus; notably Candice Eng at INK was previously a Top Tech PR Pro at PRSourceCode, indicating direct talent overlap.
• Matter Communications: Mid-sized PR and integrated marketing agency with strong B2B technology practice. Directly comparable services and client profile; former INK VP Caroline Harvey previously worked at Matter on tech and consumer clients.
• RH Strategic: B2B communications agency focused on technology, healthcare, and energy clients. Comparable in size and B2B tech/energy vertical specialization that overlaps directly with INK's two primary verticals.
• LaunchSquad: Mid-sized tech PR and communications agency serving B2B and consumer technology companies. Similar size, integrated services model, and technology client base overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Edelman: Global largest PR firm with significant technology, energy, and B2B practices. Competes for enterprise retainers with INK but operates at vastly larger scale with global offices and full-suite offerings beyond PR.
• Ogilvy PR: Global communications network with technology and energy practices. Sami Steinseifer at INK previously worked at Ogilvy's LA and Denver offices, signaling direct competitive and talent-market overlap.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ink-communications
• Xx.com/heyINKco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 INK