Knock
Knock is an independent brand experience agency founded in 2001, serving enterprise clients across consumer products, retail, healthcare, finance, and hospitality with brand strategy, identity, digital, and campaign services delivered through its proprietary Human Sense® methodology.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Knock does
Knock is an independent brand experience agency founded in 2001 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with additional offices in Miami, New York, Chicago, and London. The firm delivers project-based professional services spanning brand strategy and identity, digital experience design, content production, campaign development, social media, intercultural marketing, and physical experience design for enterprise clients across Consumer Products, Retail, Finance & Institutions, Health & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, and Community verticals. Notable named clients include Target, La Marca Prosecco, Ameriprise Financial, Abbott, Radisson RED, LensCrafters, Mission Cloud, LVMH, Levi's, Nike, and the Minnesota Orchestra, with relationships described as long-tenured and in some cases spanning decades.
The agency's underlying intellectual property centers on its proprietary Human Sense® methodology, a registered trademark that combines pragmatic insight with emotional intelligence across three pillars: Inclusion, Invention, and Imagination. No software platform, proprietary algorithm, or AI/ML model is disclosed; technology footprint is limited to standard digital collaboration tooling, and the agency explicitly positions Human Sense® as a counterpoint to AI-driven commoditization rather than an AI product. Knock is 100% independently owned, holds an EcoVadis sustainability badge, and is a member of the Nostos Network of vetted independent agencies.
Knock's go-to-market is relationship-led and referral-driven, with 95% of business sourced from repeat clients and referrals and the longest client partnership spanning 25 years. Revenue is generated through custom-scoped, quote-based project engagements tailored per client, with no public pricing or self-serve channels. The firm operates with 100+ full-time collaborators, a 92% talent retention rate, and an 8-year average tenure, signaling organizational stability. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-enterprise, supported by thought leadership through a journal, social channels, and participation in industry events such as SXSW, Cannes Lions, and NRF.
Knock firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Knock
- Legal name
- Knock, inc.
- Website
- https://knockinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Knock is an independent brand experience agency founded in 2001, serving enterprise clients across consumer products, retail, healthcare, finance, and hospitality with brand strategy, identity, digital, and campaign services delivered through its proprietary Human Sense® methodology.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Knock industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Creative and Brand Experience Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Brand Activations & Experiential Campaign Design (MPAAAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX) (MPAAAAAD)
Keywords
Where Knock is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Knock business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Professional Services - Brand Strategy & Design: Project-based professional services for brand development, brand expression, digital experience, content, campaigns, and physical experience design. Revenue derived from client engagements across various project types and scopes.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Knock product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Knock is a brand experience design agency that sells professional services organized into two main practice areas: Brand Development (strategy, identity, naming, voice, design systems) and Brand Expression (digital experience, content, campaigns, and physical/environmental experience). All work is guided by its proprietary Human Sense® methodology, which balances pragmatic insight with emotional intelligence across three pillars: Inclusion, Invention, and Imagination.
Product overview
Knock is a brand experience design agency that offers a comprehensive suite of services organized into two main areas: Brand Development (foundational strategy and identity work) and Brand Expression (tangible delivery across digital, content, campaigns, and physical experience). The agency is guided by its proprietary Human Sense® methodology combining pragmatic insight with emotional intelligence. Their service portfolio includes specialized offerings in social media management, intercultural marketing, sustainability consulting, and experience design. The agency serves clients across Consumer Products, Retail, Finance & Institutions, Health & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, and Community sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Human Sense®: A proprietary philosophy developed by Knock that balances pragmatic insight and emotional intelligence, aimed at championing greater human relevance in an AI-driven world. It embodies three pillars: Inclusion, Invention, and Imagination.
Products and services
- Brand Development
- Brand Expression
- Human Sense®
- Social Capabilities
- Sustainability and Impact Services
- Intercultural Marketing
Quantifiable outcome
- La Marca achieved #1 ranking in Prosecco and Sparkling Wine categories after campaign launch
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Knock
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Knock technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Knock partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Nostos NetworkcoreNostos Network is a curated community of like-minded independent agencies across marketing, media, PR, and technology. Knock joined to access vetted experts across disciplines including media strategy, PR, technology/CRM/martech, and audience research. Purpose is to unite best-in-class specialists, offer clients a 360-degree ecosystem of expertise, and strengthen indie innovation through shared knowledge and collaboration.
- The BrandLabminorThe BrandLab (TBL) is a nonprofit that breaks down barriers within marketing and advertising, empowering the next generation of creative thinkers. Knock hosts TBL in their agency office as an in-kind donation, supporting TBL across their four pillars: equity, exposure, access, and opportunity.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Knock competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Martin Agency: Independently owned creative agency producing brand campaigns and digital experiences for enterprise clients. Comparable to Knock on relationship-driven model and broad service scope across brand development and expression.
- 72andSunny: Independent creative agency with strength in brand campaigns and cultural storytelling. Comparable to Knock on independent model, campaign-led work, and human-centered brand expression philosophy.
- Venables Bell + Partners: Independent creative agency in San Francisco known for brand campaigns and digital work. Comparable to Knock on independent ownership and brand-led campaign model with mid-size scale.
- Pereira O'Dell: Independent creative and brand experience agency with integrated campaign and digital capabilities. Comparable to Knock on independence, full-experience creative model, and enterprise client focus.
- Mekanism: Independent creative agency producing brand campaigns and content. Comparable to Knock on independent ownership, mid-size creative scale, and brand storytelling across consumer categories.
- Anomaly: Independently owned creative agency known for integrated brand campaigns and product development. Comparable to Knock on independent positioning, full-service brand work, and enterprise client roster.
- R/GA: Independent digital creative and experience design agency offering brand strategy, digital product, and campaign work. Closely comparable to Knock on service mix spanning brand development, digital experience, and content.
- Mother Design: Part of the Mother network of independent creative companies; focuses on brand identity and design-led expression. Directly comparable to Knock's brand development and brand expression offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Wieden+Kennedy: Larger independent creative network with global offices and brand campaign leadership. Comparable to Knock on independent ownership but broader in scale, geography, and category scope.
- Droga5: Creative agency now part of Accenture Song, with strong brand strategy and campaign capabilities for enterprise clients. Comparable to Knock on creative craft and enterprise client caliber, though part of a larger network.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Knock social profiles
Digital presenceKnock financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Knock leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Knock funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Knock M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Knock
What does Knock do?
Knock is a brand experience design agency that sells professional services organized into two main practice areas: Brand Development (strategy, identity, naming, voice, design systems) and Brand Expression (digital experience, content, campaigns, and physical/environmental experience). All work is guided by its proprietary Human Sense® methodology, which balances pragmatic insight with emotional intelligence across three pillars: Inclusion, Invention, and Imagination.
Is Knock a public or private company?
Knock is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Knock founded?
Knock was founded in 2001. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Knock based?
Knock is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Knock make money?
One revenue line is on record: professional Services - Brand Strategy & Design.
Who are Knock's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Martin Agency, 72andSunny, Venables Bell + Partners, Pereira O'Dell, Mekanism, Anomaly, R/GA and Mother Design. Broad incumbents are Wieden+Kennedy and Droga5.
Does Knock have an API?
No public API is recorded for Knock.
What industry is Knock in?
Knock's product category is Creative and Brand Experience Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAAGAA, Brand Activations & Experiential Campaign Design, with a secondary code of MPAAAAAD, Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX).