What Mode Project does

Mode Project is a Chicago-based creative production studio founded in 2002 that delivers integrated video, design, animation, and live-action production services to enterprise brands, agencies, nonprofit organizations, and institutions across the United States. The studio operates as a B2B professional services firm with a horizontal segmentation across enterprise brands/agencies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions, generating revenue through custom project engagements priced per scope, typically intermediated by advertising and PR agencies such as Ogilvy, DDB, J. Walter Thompson, Weber Shandwick, Cramer-Krasselt, FCB, and Laughlin Constable. Marquee engagements have included the Obama Presidential Campaign (iconic logo and 200+ ads), Boeing (787 Dreamliner explainer), IBM (Moon Walk OOH installation at the WTC Oculus), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (multi-year digital series), Northwestern University, Acuity Insurance, and HealthCare.gov.

The studio's core technical and creative capabilities include 2D/3D animation and motion graphics, documentary-style live-action filmmaking, stop-motion and tabletop production, full-service post-production (editing, compositing, color grading, finishing), and multi-platform content adaptation for broadcast, digital, and social channels. Mode Project differentiates through an integrated 'under one roof' production model that consolidates concept development, scriptwriting, art direction, storyboarding, production, animation, editing, and finishing within a single studio workflow, reducing vendor handoffs and enabling rapid iteration. Its proprietary differentiators include an authentic documentary-style visual storytelling approach, blended tactile/stop-motion and digital animation techniques, and a focus on emotionally resonant content designed to evoke feeling rather than deliver purely informational messaging.

Mode Project operates an 11-50 person team out of 900 N Franklin | Suite 700, Chicago, Illinois, led by Principal Colin Carter, Creative Director Brooks Ruyle, Executive Producer Tracy Heropkie, and Associate Creative Director Matt Kuebrich. Go-to-market relies on agency partnership channels, direct brand relationships, a Squarespace-hosted portfolio website, an active organic social presence (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter), and industry awards recognition (Telly, Davey, PromaxBDA, New York Festivals, CASE) to drive credibility and inbound demand. The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, parent company, or funding rounds; financial information is not disclosed in source data, representing a key data gap.

Name

Mode Project

Legal name

Mode Project

Website

https://modeproject.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mode Project is a Chicago-based creative production studio founded in 2002 that delivers integrated video, animation, design, and documentary-style live-action services to enterprise brands, agencies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative Video Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Production Design & Art Department Services (Sets, Props, Scenic) (MPADAFAG)

Keywords

• Video production services
• Motion graphics animation
• Documentary film production
• Brand storytelling videos
• Post-production services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

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 Production Services: Project-based professional services including video production, design, animation, live-action filmmaking, post-production, and editing. Revenue is generated through custom project engagements with agencies and brands, typically billed per project with pricing based on scope, complexity, and production requirements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Mode Project is a Chicago-based creative production studio that delivers end-to-end video content services for agencies and enterprise brands. Its core offering combines design and motion (2D/3D animation, motion graphics, visual effects compositing), documentary-style live-action production, and full-service post-production under one integrated studio. Projects typically span concept development, scriptwriting, filming, animation, editing, sound design, and final delivery for marketing, recruitment, fundraising, and digital campaign content.

Product overview

Mode Project is a Chicago-based creative production studio offering a unified suite of services centered on design, animation, and live-action production. The core offerings include Design & Motion (2D/3D animation, motion graphics, and visual effects compositing), Live Action Production (documentary-style storytelling with authentic interviews and narrative content), and Video Editing & Post Production (full post-production services). The studio serves agency and brand clients across diverse sectors including education, nonprofit, healthcare, technology, and cultural institutions. Project work spans documentary films, animated explainer videos, brand campaigns, digital content series, and social media content. The integrated studio approach combines production, design, animation, and editing capabilities under one roof to streamline creative development from concept through delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Design & Motion Award-winning 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, art direction, storyboarding, and visual effects compositing delivered from concept through delivery. Targeted at agencies and enterprise brands needing distinctive animated creative.
• Live Action Production Documentary-style live-action filmmaking including unscripted interviews, on-location shoots, and authentic narrative-driven content for brand, documentary, and campaign productions.
• Video Editing & Post Production Full-service post-production including video editing, compositing, color grading, sound design, and final delivery for broadcast, digital, and out-of-home platforms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Acuity Insurance animated video series achieved over 1 million YouTube views
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered primary, core and minor.

• Laughlin ConstableprimaryGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago and Milwaukee-based advertising agency that engaged Mode Project as creative partner for Acuity Insurance digital campaign. Mode Project created animated videos that achieved over 1 million YouTube views. Also partnered on Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago project.
• DDB WorldwideprimaryGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal advertising agency that partnered with Mode Project on David Plouffe's 'The Art of the Possible' film, which preceded Plouffe's lecture to an international audience about the 2008 Obama campaign innovations.
• Ogilvy & MatherprimaryGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor advertising agency that chose Mode Project to help tell the ongoing story of how CDW and their world-class partners work together. Also partnered on IBM Moon Walk OOH project and UPS 'We Love Logistics' campaign.
• J. Walter ThompsonprimaryGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal advertising agency that partnered with Mode Project on Illinois Made series teaser for Enjoy Illinois tourism campaign, featuring woodworker David Stine in Dow, Illinois.
• Weber ShandwickprimaryGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal PR firm that engaged Mode Project to create richly-illustrated animated videos for Japanese Green Tea digital campaign 'Find a Better Mind' promoting holistic healthfulness of the product.
• Lemmon/HughescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAgency partner on HP Printer Solutions Group animated explainer videos. Mode Project developed videos from ground up including treatment, storyboards, art direction, motion tests, animation, voice-over production and audio mixing.
• FCBcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBoeing's agency that engaged Mode Project to create a different kind of film explaining the 787 Dreamliner's features clearly and simply for consumers.
• Cramer-KrasseltprimaryGTM or Marketing PartnerAgency partner on Panera Bread 'Our Pineapple Story' film and Marzetti salad dressing product launch campaign. Also worked with Mode Project on creating 3D modeled and animated products for social and digital OLVs.
• PatientPointminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare communication company that partnered with Mode Project for campaign targeting vaccine-hesitant groups, produced in partnership with Ad Council for COVID Collaborative's 'It's Up To You' COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative.
• Vandal (LA production company)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLos Angeles-based production company that collaborated remotely with Mode Project on Pedialyte TVC/OLV package via Norton Agency.
• Highdive AdvertisingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAgency that needed to streamline content production for Ram Trucks #RamWillTowThat social media campaign. Mode Project created eight VFX spots for NFL Sunday Night Football social channels with team-specific jokes and visual gags.
• VMLY&RminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgency that partnered with Mode Project to produce how-to videos for Gevalia's new 'Cafe at Home' products with tabletop shoot production, creative editorial, sound design, compositing and finishing.
• Ogilvy USA (NYC office)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOgilvy's New York office partnered with Mode Project on IBM's Moon Walk immersive experience digital OOH ads at World Trade Center's Transportation Hub, the Oculus.
• WTTWcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago PBS member station that collaborated with Mode Project on 'Art & Design in Chicago' TV series 15-second show open. Series part of Art Design Chicago initiative by Terra Foundation and Driehaus Foundation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Giant Ant: Toronto-based animation and motion graphics studio producing original content and brand-driven work for agencies and advertisers. Comparable to Mode Project in animation-first creative production for major brand campaigns.
• Stink Studios: Global creative production studio with offices in NYC, LA, London, and beyond, producing film, animation, and digital content for brands. Comparable as a multi-discipline boutique production shop serving enterprise marketing needs.
• Tool of North America: Bicoastal production company producing commercials, branded content, and integrated campaigns for agencies and brands. Overlaps with Mode Project across live-action production and agency-driven project workflows.
• Psyop: New York-based creative production studio combining animation, design, and VFX for advertising and brand clients. Highly comparable to Mode Project as an integrated boutique production partner for agencies and global brands.
• B-Reel: Globally distributed creative studio producing films, digital experiences, and branded content. Comparable to Mode Project as a brand storytelling partner delivering integrated creative production services.
• Buck: Los Angeles and New York design and animation studio serving brand and agency clients with motion graphics, design, and storytelling. Closely mirrors Mode Project's integrated design-and-motion offering and B2B agency-driven go-to-market.
• Hecho Studios: Creative production studio focused on authentic, culturally-rooted storytelling for brands and nonprofits. Closely aligned with Mode Project's documentary-style, mission-driven creative approach.
• M ss ng P eces: Creative production studio spanning live-action, post, and design for brand storytelling and advertising. Matches Mode Project's positioning as a one-roof production partner serving agencies and enterprise brands.
• Camp Lucky: Bicoastal creative studio producing commercials, branded content, and design-driven storytelling. Similar boutique creative production positioning to Mode Project, with comparable agency and brand client base.
• Variable: West Coast creative studio producing motion design, animation, and brand films for advertising clients. Direct comparable in motion-graphics and design-led production work for agency-held brand accounts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/modeproject
• Facebookfacebook.com/ModeProject
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mode-projectc
• Instagraminstagram.com/modeproject

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Mode Project