Addis Enterprises

What Addis Enterprises does

Addis Enterprises is a full-service, integrated design and marketing agency headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, operating since 1998 (originally founded from the CEO's dorm room, restructured as a full-service firm in 2006, and expanded with additional in-house capabilities in 2014). The firm is structured around four interconnected service lines: Define (branding and marketing strategy), Capture (media production including 2D/3D animation, video, and photography), Engage (web, ADA/WCAG-compliant digital, CMS/LMS, SEO/SEM, and the Addis Education e-learning sub-brand), and Impress (print and physical-world collateral). All work is produced in-house by 15 full-time staff plus 3 subcontractors, eliminating vendor handoffs and supporting consistent design across mediums.

The agency serves a diversified base of 163+ clients spanning Michigan State University departments (15+ units), Michigan state/local/tribal government, national and regional nonprofits, mid-market enterprise (e.g., Jet's Pizza, General Motors Delta Plant, Delta Dental, Bishop Airport), and Michigan-based SMBs, with active engagements in three countries and over twenty U.S. states. Its technology stack is centered on Adobe Creative Cloud, in-house 3D animation and video production, ADA/WCAG-compliant web engineering, and Articulate Storyline-powered e-learning course development, with EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) implemented since January 2025.

Revenue is generated through project-based and retainer professional-services engagements plus pre-paid, never-expiring hours that are pro-rated to the second, sold as custom quote-based work. The firm is bootstrapped, debt-free, and founder-controlled (CEO John K. Addis, EOS Visionary; VP/Creative Director Tony Sabo as EOS Integrator), with a cumulative 160+ industry awards (including AAF Best of Show, MarCom Platinum, Pollie, and Reed awards) anchoring its reputational moat. Distribution is direct (website contact form, phone, referrals) with no third-party resellers or marketplaces, and the go-to-market blends relationship-driven enterprise sales with community-led industry leadership (AAF Lansing, AAF District 6 governorship).

Name

Addis Enterprises

Legal name

Addis Enterprises LLC.

Website

https://aenow.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Addis Enterprises is a full-service, in-house design and marketing agency in Lansing, Michigan, serving 163+ clients across Michigan State University, state and local government, nonprofits, and mid-market enterprise with branding, video, web, and e-learning services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative and Marketing Services

NAICS

Graphic Design Services (54143), Indoor and Outdoor Display Advertising (541850), Motion Picture and Video Production (51211)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Full-Service Creative Agencies (MPAAAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Integrated Advertising (Brand + Performance + Media) (BPAFAAAA), Event Production & Technical Services (AV, Lighting, Staging) (BPAFAGAB), Customer Onboarding, Education & Adoption (CS Enablement) (EDABACAI)

Keywords

• Branding and marketing services
• Media production services
• Web design and development
• Print and graphic design
• Online learning development

Headquarters

HQ city

Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional services - full-service design and marketing engagements: Project-based and retainer engagements covering branding/marketing strategy (Define), media production (Capture), online/interactive (Engage), and print/real-world (Impress). Sold as custom, full-service creative work for clients of all sizes.
2. Pre-paid hours blocks (never-expiring): Clients purchase pre-paid hours that never expire, with time pro-rated to the second and access to internal time-tracking records, providing recurring working-capital deposits against ongoing creative services.
3. Specialized online learning / e-learning course development: Design and production of online interactive courses and e-learning content for clients like Improving MI Practices (40,000-member mental/behavioral health professional community), including video, animation, and module creation under the Addis Education brand.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Addis Enterprises is a full-service design and marketing agency delivering four integrated in-house service lines: Define (branding and marketing strategy), Capture (media production including TV/radio, video, 3D animation, photography), Engage (online and interactive including web design/development, ADA/WCAG-compliant builds, CMS/LMS, SEO/SEM, and the Addis Education online learning platform), and Impress (print and real-world collateral). All creative, strategy, production, and delivery is performed under one roof to ensure consistency of design and message across mediums.

Product overview

Addis Enterprises (AE) is a full-service design and marketing firm organized as a single integrated agency offering four interconnected service lines — Define (Branding & Marketing), Capture (Media Production), Engage (Online & Interactive), and Impress (Print & Real World) — that together cover strategy, content production, web/interactive delivery, and print/real-world deliverables. Within this structure, Engage subsumes their digital products including custom Website Design & Development, Multiplatform Mobile Apps, Enterprise-Level Applications, and ADA & WCAG-compliant builds, while Engage also powers a separate Online Learning & Courses offering branded as Addis Education. Define covers Strategy & Consultation, Research & Personas, Copywriting, Logos & Brand Identity, Campaign Development, Brand Guides, and Marketing Plans. Capture covers TV & Radio Advertising, Corporate & Product Videos, Documentary Filmmaking, Event Videography, Music Composition & Jingles, 2D & 3D Animation, Corporate Photography, and Voiceover Narration. Impress covers Infographics & Illustration, Brochures/Flyers/Reports, Book & Publication Design, Magazines & Newsletters, Corporate Event Planning, Promotional Items, Packaging & Design Wraps, and Outdoor Advertising. All work is delivered in-house to guarantee consistency of design and message across mediums.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Addis Education: Online learning and courses offering operated as a related line within Addis Enterprises' Engage service family (see aenow.com services Engage and addiseducation.com link).

Products and services

• Define (Branding & Marketing) Service line focused on determining, illustrating, and maintaining a client's unique brand identity and developing strategies to market it. Includes Strategy & Consultation, Research & Personas, Copywriting, Logos & Brand Identity, Campaign Development, Brand Guides, Marketing Plans, and Analysis & Recommendations. Targeted at organizations seeking brand strategy and marketing consulting.
• Capture (Media Production) Media production service line that creates a window into the client's organization through TV & Radio Advertising, Corporate & Product Videos, Documentary Filmmaking, Event Videography, Music Composition & Jingles, 2D & 3D Animation, Corporate Photography, and Voiceover Narration. Targeted at organizations needing in-house media production including 3D animation capabilities.
• Engage (Online & Interactive) Online and interactive service line covering the client's digital presence. Includes Web Design & Development, Multiplatform Mobile Apps, Enterprise-Level Applications, ADA & WCAG Compliance, CMS & LMS Implementation, SEO/SEM & eCommerce, Social Media Management, and Online Learning & Courses. Targeted at organizations needing websites, apps, eCommerce, and accessible digital platforms.
• Impress (Print & Real World) Print and physical-world service line delivering tangible marketing collateral. Includes Infographics & Illustration, Brochures/Flyers/Reports, Book & Publication Design, Magazines & Newsletters, Corporate Event Planning, Promotional Items, Packaging & Design Wraps, and Outdoor Advertising. Targeted at organizations needing printed and physical marketing materials.
• Addis Education (Online Learning & Courses) Online learning platform referenced as part of the Engage service line, used to deliver interactive courses including module creation, branding, and course design using Articulate Storyline, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. Targeted at organizations needing online course development and LMS implementation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ websites designed, developed, and launched across business, governmental, university, and personal clients
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers86 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered national-profile earned media partnership, flagship operational partner, industry leadership affiliation - john k. addis serves as governor of district 6 since 2025; one of the nation's oldest professional advertising associations with 150+ clubs and 35,000 professionals., core local industry chapter - john k. addis is credited with saving the chapter from extinction in 2021., core local business affiliation, strategic vertical affiliation for nonprofit clients, professional standards affiliation for the design craft, professional standards affiliation supporting ceo's authorship work, operational technology vendor for client billing, reserved/optional advertising integration - not actively deployed, standards body alignment - core accessibility framework used across client deliverables, core production technology stack and not a partnership - listed as media outlet where ceo has been featured.

• CEOWORLD Magazinenational-profile earned media partnershipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026CEOWORLD Magazine published a feature article titled 'The Storyteller Who Turned Creativity into Enterprise' profiling CEO John K. Addis and Addis Enterprises, published on June 7, 2026; expands the firm's reach to a national business audience.
• Mike Maddox (EOS Implementer / EOS Worldwide)flagship operational partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Certified EOS Implementer Mike Maddox partnered with Addis Enterprises in early January 2025 to deploy the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) framework across the firm. The partnership provides EOS coaching, accountability, 90-day goal-setting, weekly leadership meetings, and structured issue resolution. After a successful first year together, Addis Enterprises confirmed continuation of the relationship.
• American Advertising Federation (AAF)industry leadership affiliation - john k. addis serves as governor of district 6 since 2025; one of the nation's oldest professional advertising associations with 150+ clubs and 35,000 professionals.GTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2014Industry-affiliation membership through AAF Lansing and AAF District 6 (IL-IN-MI). John K. Addis has served as Secretary (2018-2019), President of the local chapter (2020-2023), and Lieutenant Governor before being unanimously elected Governor of District 6 on June 5, 2025. Partnership supports industry networking, awards, and advocacy.
• AAF Lansing (Local AAF Chapter)core local industry chapter - john k. addis is credited with saving the chapter from extinction in 2021.GTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2014Active membership and leadership in the local American Advertising Federation chapter that hosts the Mid-Michigan American Advertising Awards. Allison Pazera serves as Treasurer of AAF Lansing.
• Lansing Regional Chamber of Commercecore local business affiliationOthersActive chamber membership reflecting commitment to the Greater Lansing business community through advocacy, connection, and economic development. Supports local relationship-building and regional business development.
• Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA)strategic vertical affiliation for nonprofit clientsOthersMembership supports better understanding of Michigan's nonprofit sector needs, enabling AE to serve mission-driven organizations with greater insight and effectiveness.
• Graphic Artists Guildprofessional standards affiliation for the design craftOthersMembership in the leading professional organization for visual creators, advocating for fair business practices, ethical treatment, and professional standards in the creative industry.
• Authors Guildprofessional standards affiliation supporting ceo's authorship workOthersNation's oldest and largest professional organization for published writers. Supports AE's connection to writing and publishing world; allows John K. Addis's novels to be certified as 'Human Authored'.
• Intuit (Payment Gateway)operational technology vendor for client billingTechnology or IntegrationClient billing payments are made through Intuit's Payment Gateway, integrated into AE's payment processing workflow for client invoices.
• Google AdSensereserved/optional advertising integration - not actively deployedTechnology or IntegrationAE reserves the right to use Google AdSense Advertising (including Remarketing) on its website but does not currently use cookies for tracking and does not allow third-party behavioral tracking. Google policies referenced in privacy policy.
• W3C / WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)standards body alignment - core accessibility framework used across client deliverablesTechnology or IntegrationAE designs and builds all websites to meet WCAG 2.0 / ADA standards, with ADA & WCAG Compliance listed as a formal service under Engage. Multiple client projects specifically cite WCAG compliance (e.g., Bishop Airport, Landmark Landscape).
• Adobe (Creative Cloud)core production technology stackTechnology or IntegrationCore technology platform used across the firm's design, layout, and print production work - specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop as the 'Big Three' tools of every graphic designer.
• Zillow (media coverage citation)not a partnership - listed as media outlet where ceo has been featuredOthersCited as media outlet in the John K. Addis profile. The Atlantic, The New York Times, CBS News, CNN's Lou Dobbs, and The Tonight Show also cited; included for completeness of media-relations ecosystem.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Schafer Condon Carter: Chicago-based independent full-service creative agency of similar mid-market scale, with integrated brand, digital, and content production. Comparable to Addis on independent ownership, integrated in-house model, and Midwest enterprise client base.
• Brownstein Group: Philadelphia-based independent creative, digital, and PR agency of comparable mid-size positioning. Comparable to Addis on integrated service model, independent ownership, and long-tenured enterprise client relationships.
• HLK: St. Louis-based independent full-service agency with integrated brand, content, and digital capabilities. Comparable to AE on independent ownership, integrated in-house delivery model, and Midwest enterprise client focus.
• The Tombras Group: Knoxville-based independently owned integrated creative agency with comparable full-service model (strategy, creative, media, digital) and similar mid-size positioning. Comparable to AE on integrated in-house delivery and enterprise client breadth.
• Padilla: Minneapolis-based integrated marketing, communications, and creative agency with strong public-sector and association client roster. Comparable to Addis on full-service integrated model and institutional/government vertical mix.
• Marcus Thomas LLC: Cleveland-based independently owned full-service advertising and digital agency of similar mid-market scale. Comparable to AE on independent ownership, integrated creative and digital services, and regional enterprise/government client roster.
• Truscott Rossman: Michigan-headquartered public affairs, communications, and creative agency with strong state government and association clients. Comparable to AE in Lansing roots, integrated creative offerings, and reliance on long-term Michigan institutional relationships.
• Identity (now part of McCann Worldgroup): Michigan-based branding and creative agency (now part of Interpublic's McCann network) with a similar heritage of integrated brand strategy, design, and digital work for regional enterprise clients. Directly comparable to Addis's Define/Capture/Engage/Impress service mix.
• Lambert: Michigan-based integrated marketing, PR, and creative agency serving consumer, B2B, and public sector clients. Comparable to AE on integrated service model, mid-size independent ownership structure, and Midwest enterprise/government client base.
• Martin Waymire: Lansing, Michigan-based public relations and integrated marketing firm of comparable size, serving state government, associations, and nonprofit clients across Michigan. Directly comparable to Addis Enterprises in geography, vertical mix, and full-service creative-plus-digital positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCklKPgJDokuVspQRqzipqkA
• Facebookfacebook.com/addisenterprises
• Instagraminstagram.com/ae_beawesome
• TikToktiktok.com/@addis_enterprises

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Addis Enterprises