What Ideas On Purpose does

Ideas On Purpose is a privately held, certified woman-owned strategic creative agency headquartered in New York, founded in 2000 by Michelle M. Marks, John Connolly, and Darren Namaye. The firm specializes in sustainability and impact communications, serving Fortune 100 corporations, foundations, NGOs, and emerging brands across industries including hospitality, medical technology, energy, cruise lines, consumer products, and financial services. Its core services span five areas: Strategy & Messaging, Sustainability & ESG Reporting, Websites & Digital Strategy (including AI and GEO optimization), Communications & Campaigns, and Visual Identity & Brand. The agency has produced over 450 reports for clients over its 25-year history and operates a pro bono nonprofit rebranding program, Brand New Brand!, now in its second decade.

The business operates as a project-based professional services firm with quote-based pricing and direct client engagement rather than channel-based distribution. New business is sourced through reputation, awards-driven inbound interest, speaking engagements at events like Climate Week NYC, content marketing on its 'Ideas On' blog, and supplier-diversity certifications (WBENC since 2025, NGLCC since 2019, ANA Certified Diverse Supplier). Multi-year enterprise relationships are common, with engagements recurring across annual ESG and annual report cycles for clients such as Hilton, Stanley Black & Decker, Integra LifeSciences, Coca-Cola, and Dominion Energy. Thought leadership on AI in sustainability reporting and AI-optimized digital content positions the firm for emerging client demand, though no proprietary AI/ML technology has been disclosed.

Technically, Ideas On Purpose does not operate a proprietary technology platform; it operates as a creative agency leveraging industry-standard design, development, and content tools. The firm is Workiva Advanced Design Reporting certified and offers CtrlPrint as an alternative production platform, allowing clients audit-trail capability in ESG and annual report workflows. The technology team is led by a Director of Technology and a Lead UX Architect & Digital Strategist, with development and accessibility capabilities delivered in-house. In 2025 the firm celebrated its 25th anniversary and consolidated leadership following co-founder Darren Namaye's retirement, with Marks and Connolly continuing as Managing Partner and Principal/Executive Creative Director respectively. The company remains independent with no external funding, acquisitions, or parent organization.

Name

Ideas On Purpose

Legal name

Ideas On Purpose

Website

https://ideasonpurpose.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ideas On Purpose is a New York-based, certified woman-owned strategic creative agency founded in 2000 that helps Fortune 100 corporations, foundations, and NGOs communicate sustainability and impact through ESG reports, websites, campaigns, and brand services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Communications Agency

NAICS

Graphic Design Services (54143), Public Relations Agencies (54182)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Cause/Sustainability & Purpose-Driven Creative Agencies (MPAAAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cause, ESG & Sustainability Communications (MPAAADAL), Sustainability & Purpose Brand Design (ESG Narrative, Impact Branding) (MPAAAEAL), Sustainability & ESG Reporting (GRI/SASB/ISSB/CSRD) (EUAHAJAB), Creative Concepting & Campaign Development (BPAFAEAD)

Keywords

• Sustainability communications
• ESG reporting design
• Creative agency services
• Corporate brand strategy
• Impact reporting services

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Services - Creative and Strategic Communications: Project-based professional services delivering sustainability and impact communications, including strategy, reporting, websites, campaigns, and brand services. Engagements range from single reports to full communications strategies. Pricing is quote-based, not publicly disclosed.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ideas On Purpose is a strategic creative agency that helps organizations communicate sustainability and impact. The firm delivers a full arc of services spanning strategy and messaging, sustainability and ESG report production, website and digital strategy, communications and campaigns, and visual identity and brand systems. Engagements range from single reports to comprehensive, multi-year communications strategies for Fortune 100 companies, foundations, NGOs, and emerging brands.

Product overview

Ideas On Purpose is a strategic creative agency offering a comprehensive suite of sustainability and impact communications services. Their portfolio spans five core service areas: Strategy & Messaging (messaging architecture and alignment), Sustainability & ESG Reporting (strategy, writing, design, and production with Workiva collaboration), Websites & Digital Strategy (design, development, accessibility, and AI optimization), Communications & Campaigns (content, infographics, social media), and Visual Identity & Brand (brand systems and design guidelines). Additionally, their pro bono program Brand New Brand! provides free rebranding services to nonprofits. The agency has produced over 450 reports for clients and works with organizations across all stages of sustainability maturity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Brand New Brand!: Pro bono initiative where IOP rebrands a nonprofit organization for free, in partnership with other organizations, to help amplify the nonprofit's impact and mission.

Products and services

• Strategy & Messaging Helps organizations define what to say about sustainability and impact and how to say it, including strategy, narrative, and messaging architecture aligned across audiences and channels.
• Sustainability & ESG Reporting Strategy, writing, design, and production of sustainability, ESG, impact, and annual reports that meet regulatory expectations, including Workiva collaboration, accessibility, and AI optimization.
• Websites & Digital Strategy Design, build, and maintenance of websites that make organizations credible and discoverable by audiences and AI, including user experience, development, accessibility, and SEO/GEO optimization.
• Communications & Campaigns Campaign activation through content, data visualizations, infographics, social media, and digital hubs that reach specific audiences with specific messages.
• Visual Identity & Brand Creation and extension of brand systems, design guidelines, and toolkits that create a cohesive, professional presence for organizations or initiatives.
• Brand New Brand! Pro Bono Program Pro bono initiative that rebrands a nonprofit for free, providing strategic brand platform, visual identity, website design and development, photography, and video services to amplify impact through partnerships.

Quantifiable outcome

• Client retention through multi-year partnerships (e.g., 3+ years with Integra LifeSciences, 5 years with Hilton)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• EarthShare NCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025IOP joined EarthShare NC's advisory committee to help plan the 2026 North Carolina Climate Week. IOP is represented by Diane Colomer Cheadle, Director of Client Services. This partnership supports EarthShare NC's mission of fostering a sustainable future for generations to come in North Carolina, nationally, and globally.
• WorkivacoreTechnology or IntegrationIOP team is Workiva Advanced Design Reporting certified and collaborates with clients using Workiva for report production. Workiva is a cloud-based reporting platform used for ESG reporting and financial disclosure management. IOP works within Workiva to refine and polish report drafts.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Salterbaxter: London-based sustainability communications consultancy offering ESG reporting, strategy, and stakeholder engagement. Directly comparable to IOP as a specialist sustainability communications agency serving global brands.
• Radley Yeldar: UK-headquartered brand and reporting agency producing annual reports, sustainability reports, and corporate communications for FTSE-listed and global brands. Closely matches IOP's enterprise reporting and brand offering.
• Futerra: Sustainability and communications agency focused on purpose-driven brand strategy, ESG communications, and creative campaigns. Direct peer in cause-driven creative work for global clients.
• Cone Communications: Cause marketing and ESG communications agency (now part of The Bloc) serving consumer-facing brands on sustainability messaging and CSR campaigns. Comparable to IOP's sustainability communications focus.
• Reconsidered: Creative agency purpose-built around sustainability and ESG storytelling for consumer and B2B brands. Competes with IOP on sustainability strategy, brand, and reporting.
• Bite Global: Purpose-driven communications consultancy focused on sustainability, ESG, and brand purpose. Directly comparable to IOP's strategy-plus-execution sustainability communications model.
• Free Range Studios: Creative studio specializing in sustainability storytelling, cause marketing, and impact communications for nonprofits and purpose-driven brands. Comparable boutique peer in cause-focused creative.
• Purpose (now BelongLab): Communications and creative agency focused on social impact campaigns and sustainability narratives for global brands and NGOs. Direct peer in purpose-driven communications and creative work.

Broad incumbents

• Edelman: Global communications firm with a leading sustainability/ESG practice and Edelman Trust Barometer authority. Overlaps with IOP on ESG reporting and corporate communications but operates at vastly larger scale.
• Havas SO (Sustainable Office): Sustainability practice within Havas network offering brand, creative, and reporting services to global clients. Adjacent competitor with broader network capabilities and deeper pockets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/ideasonpurpose
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ideas-on-purpose
• Instagraminstagram.com/ideasonpurpose
• Xx.com/ideasonpurpose
• Facebookfacebook.com/ideasonpurpose

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Ideas On Purpose