What YARD NYC does

YARD NYC is an independent strategic creative agency headquartered at 25 Broadway, Floor 2, New York, NY. Founded in 2005 by Ruth Bernstein (CEO) and Stephen Niedzwiecki (Creative Lead), the firm delivers brand strategy, integrated campaigns, branded content, identity and packaging, communications planning, digital and social strategy, content strategy, influencer strategy, experiential marketing, and integrated production to enterprise and mid-market clients. Its work spans fashion and apparel (Athleta, Gap, J.Crew, Madewell, Wrangler, Lee, John Varvatos), retail (Kohl's, Walmart, Crate and Barrel, Boden, David's Bridal), beverage (Campari, Tanqueray), financial services (UBS), travel (Virgin Voyages, Tumi), sports (USTA, NFL Shop), and emerging lifestyle categories (Henry Rose, Olly, Happy Egg, Rothy's). The agency positions itself as a female-led, purpose-driven creative company with 86% of its 11-50 employees identifying as female, people of color, or LGBTQ+, and has won AdAge Small Agency of the Year (Northeast, Silver, 2018) plus earned media coverage in Forbes and Business of Fashion.

The business operates on a professional services revenue model: engagements are quote-based per scope, distribution is direct to enterprise and mid-market clients through dedicated new-business and account management contacts (no resellers or channel partners), and there is no public pricing, subscription, or productized offering. GTM is enterprise field sales targeting brand decision-makers, with campaigns delivered across TV, digital, social, OOH, and experiential channels. Measurable campaign outcomes cited include 1 billion+ earned media impressions within 72 hours for Gap's "Meet Me in the Gap" video, 95 million+ social impressions for Wrangler's campaign, 50,000+ NYC Marathon runners reached via NYRR, and a self-reported 115% revenue lift since Q3 2022. Reported revenue was $10.5M in 2017 with 10% YoY growth.

YARD NYC has no proprietary technology platform, no software product, no public API, no patents, and no disclosed AI/ML capability. Its competitive position rests entirely on creative talent, founder and CCO reputation, long-tenured client relationships (e.g., John Varvatos over 12+ years, Athleta Power of She since 2016), and a purpose-driven brand platform. The agency has remained privately held by its co-founders with no disclosed institutional funding, no M&A history, and no subsidiaries.

Name

YARD NYC

Legal name

YARD NYC

Website

https://yardnyc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

YARD NYC is an independent New York-based creative agency providing brand strategy, integrated campaigns, identity design, digital/social strategy, and experiential marketing to enterprise clients across fashion, retail, beverage, financial services, and consumer goods.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Creative Agency Services: Full-service creative agency providing brand strategy, integrated campaigns, branded content, identity and packaging, communications planning, digital and social strategy, content strategy, influencer strategy, experiential marketing, and integrated production services to enterprise clients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

YARD NYC is an independent creative agency that provides brand strategy, integrated marketing campaigns, branded content, identity and packaging design, digital and social strategy, influencer strategy, experiential marketing, and end-to-end content production for enterprise and mid-market brands. The agency partners with clients in fashion, retail, beauty, lifestyle, travel, beverage, and financial services to develop purpose-driven creative work that delivers measurable cultural and commercial impact.

Product overview

YARD NYC is an independent strategic creative company that turns brands into cultural beacons. The company offers a comprehensive suite of professional services including brand strategy, integrated campaigns, branded content, identity and packaging, communications planning, research and measurement, digital and social strategy, content strategy, influencer strategy, experiential marketing, and content and integrated production. Rather than a software product platform, YARD NYC delivers creative services through professional engagements, working with clients across retail, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and consumer goods sectors. Their approach centers on helping brands find their purpose and creative identity through purpose-driven storytelling and culturally relevant campaigns. Notable client work includes Athleta's 'Power of She' brand platform, Gap's multi-channel campaigns, Kohl's holiday campaigns, Walmart's fashion initiatives, and various other integrated marketing programs for major retail and lifestyle brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• YARD NYC Creative Services
• Brand Strategy

Quantifiable outcome

• Gap's 'Meet Me in the Gap' video starring Cher achieved 1 billion+ earned media impressions within 72 hours
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers41 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• European Wax CentercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAppointed as agency partner responsible for brand positioning, visual identity, and store experience design. Partnership aims to refresh the brand's platform and creative identity by early 2026. Won after competitive review.
• EverevecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped Evereve's first-ever national advertising campaign called 'Ever Wonder' for their 113 stores nationwide. Campaign is centered on research showing 80% of women over 35 feel the fashion industry doesn't understand them. Rolls out across TV, digital, social, and online video.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Anomaly: Independent creative agency founded on the principle of breaking traditional agency structures; competes in the same enterprise creative-strategy space with a similar size and selective client roster.
• Translation LLC: Independently held creative agency of similar scale with strong purpose-driven and culturally relevant work for major brands (similar to YARD NYC's positioning).
• 72andSunny: Independent creative agency with comparable size and a focus on cultural impact and brand-building campaigns for enterprise clients across categories including retail and apparel.
• Mother: Independent creative agency of comparable size, similarly known for cultural-impact campaigns, founder-led creative culture, and selective blue-chip brand rosters. Closest parallel in operating model and creative positioning.
• Johannes Leonardo: Independent creative agency of similar size and pedigree, known for integrated campaigns and purpose-led work for major consumer brands. Closely comparable in operating model and selective pitch approach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yard
• Instagraminstagram.com/yardnyc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 YARD NYC