Speak Creative
Speak Creative is a 25+ year-old, founder-owned full-service marketing agency and technology provider serving 500+ mission-driven organizations across arts and culture, education, non-profits, tourism, and ambitious brands via proprietary ticketing and membership platforms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersMemphis, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Speak Creative does
Speak Creative is a privately held, founder-owned full-service marketing agency founded in 1999 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, with a second office in Nashville. The company specializes in serving mission-driven organizations across five verticals: arts and culture (museums, zoos, aquariums, gardens, cultural attractions), education (independent schools and colleges), non-profits, tourism (destination marketing organizations, CVBs, and attractions), and what it terms "ambitious brands." Over 25+ years, Speak Creative has built a client base of 500+ organizations with marquee engagements including the Columbus Museum of Art, Birch Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo, Memphis Zoo, Field Museum, Seattle Aquarium, Smithsonian Associates, and multiple destination marketing organizations and independent schools. The firm is debt-free, led by founder and CEO Jacob Savage, and operates with a 30-50 person in-house team.
Speak Creative runs a hybrid agency-plus-product business model. Its service portfolio spans paid media management, integrated marketing strategy, website design and development, video production, branding and collateral, website accessibility (WCAG 2.2 AA compliance), and systems/platforms integration. Two proprietary technology platforms anchor its product offering: Ticket Flow™, a mobile-first ticketing and purchase experience with custom business logic, bundle and complex pricing support, and CRM/ticketing integration; and PassPlay™, a digital membership platform with Apple Wallet and Google Pay integration, member loyalty and rewards programs, automated renewals, and lifecycle automation. The firm has developed deep integration expertise with dominant vertical CRMs and AMS systems including Tessitura, Blackbaud, Veracross, Salesforce, Virtuous, Neon, Bonterra, Bloomerang, and DonorPerfect, as well as ticketing platforms Gateway, Digonex, Centaman, and Acme.
Speak Creative generates revenue through professional services (project-based and retainer engagements) complemented by recurring revenue from proprietary platform subscriptions (Ticket Flow, PassPlay) and ongoing website hosting, maintenance, and support. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is sales-led, driven by relationship-based selling, personalized discovery calls, an RFP process ([email protected]), and corporate memberships in arts, cultural, and school associations. The firm acquired RocketFuel in July 2019 for an undisclosed amount and holds 2024 Web Excellence Awards and Best Place to Work recognitions in Memphis and Nashville.
Speak Creative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Speak Creative
- Legal name
- Speak Creative, LLC
- Website
- https://madebyspeak.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Speak Creative is a 25+ year-old, founder-owned full-service marketing agency and technology provider serving 500+ mission-driven organizations across arts and culture, education, non-profits, tourism, and ambitious brands via proprietary ticketing and membership platforms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Speak Creative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Marketing Agency Services
- NAICS
- Graphic Design Services (541430)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Integrated Full-Service Creative Agencies (MPAAAAAA)
Keywords
Where Speak Creative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Memphis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Speak Creative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Marketing Services Revenue: Speak generates revenue through providing comprehensive marketing services including paid media management, integrated marketing strategy, website design and development, video production, branding and collateral, and systems/platforms integration services. Revenue is project-based and retainer-based with ongoing client engagements.
- Technology Platform Licensing: Revenue from proprietary platforms including Ticket Flow for ticketing and PassPlay for digital memberships. These are integrated into client solutions as part of the overall service offering.
- Website Hosting and Maintenance: Ongoing hosting, maintenance, and support services for client websites following launch, providing recurring revenue through quarterly strategy reviews and proactive maintenance.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Speak Creative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Speak Creative is a full-service marketing agency that delivers integrated marketing strategy, paid media management, website design and development, video production, branding, and technology platform implementation for mission-driven organizations. Its two proprietary products—Ticket Flow (mobile-first ticketing) and PassPlay (digital membership and wallet integration)—are sold alongside agency engagements to arts, culture, education, non-profit, tourism, and ambitious brand clients in the United States.
Product overview
Speak Creative operates as a full-service marketing agency organized around a unified portfolio of specialized services and proprietary technology products. The core product suite centers on two proprietary platforms—Ticket Flow™ (mobile-first ticketing and purchase experiences for attractions) and PassPlay™ (digital membership with wallet integration, rewards, and lifecycle automation)—which are complemented by a comprehensive range of agency services including Paid Media, Integrated Marketing, Website Design, Systems & Platforms, Branding & Collateral, Video Production, and Website Accessibility Services. This structure positions Speak as both a product company (with platform offerings) and a full-service agency (with traditional marketing services), all targeting mission-driven organizations in arts & culture, education, nonprofit, and tourism sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PassPlay: Digital membership cards, Apple Wallet & Google Pay integration, member loyalty & rewards, renewals & messaging, and lifecycle automation for museums, zoos, and attractions.
- Ticket Flow
Products and services
- Ticket Flow Mobile-first ticketing and purchase experience platform for museums, aquariums, zoos, and attractions. Features custom business logic, bundle and complex pricing support, improved speed and conversion optimization, and seamless CRM/ticketing integration via APIs.
- PassPlay Digital membership platform enabling digital membership cards, Apple Wallet and Google Pay integration, member loyalty and rewards programs, automatic renewals, member messaging, and lifecycle automation for cultural organizations.
- Paid Media Targeted advertising campaigns across paid search, paid social, programmatic, CTV/streaming, display, and digital out-of-home, including budget management, optimization, and performance tracking for arts, culture, schools, non-profits, tourism, and ambitious brands.
- Integrated Marketing Full-funnel marketing strategy, creative, and execution combining owned, earned, and paid channels, including audience discovery, channel selection, lifecycle automation, email marketing, and data-driven optimization.
- Website Design Full-service website design and development with outcome-focused strategy, mobile-first responsive design, WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility compliance, technical SEO, ongoing support, discovery, UX design, CMS implementation, and analytics integration.
- Systems & Platforms Technology infrastructure solutions including content management, custom API integrations, and integrations with CRM, AMS, and ticketing platforms, supporting enterprise-ready component libraries and scalable architecture.
- Branding & Collateral Strategic brand development including visual identity, messaging frameworks, brand guidelines, and collateral design for print materials, campaign creative, and design systems.
- Video Production Full-scale cinematic video production including brand films, commercials, b-roll libraries, product videos, and social-native content, covering creative planning, on-location filming, editing, motion graphics, and multi-format deliverables.
- Website Accessibility Services ADA and WCAG 2.2 AA compliance services including accessibility audits, gap analysis, accessible UX/UI design, semantic content structure, screen-reader optimization, ongoing maintenance, and VPAT documentation.
Quantifiable outcome
- Significant increase in total sessions and engaged sessions for Birch Aquarium paid media campaigns
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Speak Creative
Customer profileNamed customers33 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Speak Creative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration15 records
Feature5 records
Speak Creative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, standard and strategic.
- TessituracoreMajor technology platform for arts and cultural organizations. Speak integrates with Tessitura APIs to ensure seamless connections between marketing solutions and real-time client data for ticketing, membership, and CRM functions.
- BlackbaudcoreLeading provider of software for non-profits and education. Speak has years of experience working with Blackbaud platforms and utilizes their APIs for seamless integrations between marketing solutions and real-time data.
- VeracrosscoreSchool management system provider. Speak has years of experience with Veracross and utilizes their APIs to ensure seamless integrations for school clients.
- SalesforcecoreCRM platform integration. Speak builds custom integrations with Salesforce for unified data architecture and bi-directional syncing.
- VirtuousstandardNon-profit CRM and marketing platform. Speak integrates with Virtuous for automated workflows and unified data architecture.
- NeonstandardCRM platform for non-profits. Speak integrates with Neon for automated workflows and donor management integration.
- OutboundstandardNon-profit marketing automation platform. Speak integrates with Outbound for lifecycle automation and member messaging.
- HumanitrustandardNon-profit CRM platform. Speak integrates with Humanitru for unified data architecture and donor engagement.
- GatewaystandardTicketing and admissions platform. Speak integrates with Gateway for seamless ticketing experiences.
- DonorPerfectstandardDonor management software. Speak integrates with DonorPerfect for fundraising optimization and CRM integration.
- DigonexstandardTicketing platform for attractions. Speak integrates with Digonex for ticketing calendar and event management.
- CentamanstandardTicketing and membership platform for attractions. Speak integrates with Centaman for admissions and membership management.
- BonterrastandardSocial good software for non-profits. Speak integrates with Bonterra for donor management and engagement.
- BloomerangstandardNon-profit donor retention platform. Speak integrates with Bloomerang for fundraising and donor stewardship.
- AcmestandardTicketing platform. Speak integrates with Acme for admissions and event ticketing.
- GooglestrategicTechnology partnership with Google including Google Ad Grants management for non-profits (up to $10,000 monthly credit) and access to Google's advertising platforms and tools.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Speak Creative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Juxtamarketing: Juxtamarketing is a full-service marketing agency serving museums, zoos, aquariums, and cultural attractions. It is a direct competitor in Speak's flagship arts & culture vertical, offering similar website, paid media, and membership services.
- Big Duck: Big Duck is a branding and marketing agency focused exclusively on non-profits and social-impact organizations. Like Speak, it specializes in mission-driven verticals and offers integrated branding, web, and communications services, making it a direct peer in target market and service mix.
- mStoner: mStoner is a digital marketing agency focused on higher education, serving colleges, universities, and academic institutions. It directly parallels Speak's education vertical with comparable website, marketing strategy, and enrollment-focused offerings.
- Zehno: Zehno is a marketing and communications agency serving higher education and non-profit institutions with branding, web, and integrated marketing services. It is a direct peer across two of Speak's primary verticals.
- Americaneagle.com: Americaneagle.com is a full-service digital agency offering web design, hosting, marketing, and e-commerce solutions across multiple verticals. Comparable to Speak in service breadth and mid-market / enterprise client mix.
- TBH Creative: TBH Creative is a web design and digital marketing agency focused on healthcare and mission-driven organizations. Comparable in size, agency model, and emphasis on measurable client outcomes.
- Catalyst Marketing Creative: Catalyst Marketing Creative is a destination marketing and tourism-focused agency serving DMOs, attractions, and visitor bureaus. Directly overlaps Speak's tourism vertical and similar client types.
Others
- Tessitura: Tessitura is the dominant CRM/AMS and ticketing platform for arts and cultural organizations and a Core technology integration partner of Speak. Comparable through overlapping arts & culture end markets rather than direct competition.
Broad incumbents
- HubSpot: HubSpot is a broad marketing, sales, and CRM platform with an extensive agency partner ecosystem. It overlaps with Speak's integrated marketing, CMS, and CRM integration capabilities but serves all verticals at much greater scale.
Market position
Strengths6 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Speak Creative social profiles
Digital presenceSpeak Creative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Speak Creative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Speak Creative subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Speak Creative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Speak Creative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Speak Creative
What does Speak Creative do?
Speak Creative is a full-service marketing agency that delivers integrated marketing strategy, paid media management, website design and development, video production, branding, and technology platform implementation for mission-driven organizations. Its two proprietary products—Ticket Flow (mobile-first ticketing) and PassPlay (digital membership and wallet integration)—are sold alongside agency engagements to arts, culture, education, non-profit, tourism, and ambitious brand clients in the United States.
Is Speak Creative a public or private company?
Speak Creative is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Speak Creative founded?
Speak Creative was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Speak Creative based?
Speak Creative is headquartered in Memphis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Speak Creative make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Marketing Services Revenue is the primary driver. The others are technology Platform Licensing and website Hosting and Maintenance.
Who are Speak Creative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Juxtamarketing, Big Duck, mStoner, Zehno, Americaneagle.com, TBH Creative and Catalyst Marketing Creative. Tessitura is listed as an others. HubSpot is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Speak Creative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Speak Creative.
What industry is Speak Creative in?
Speak Creative's product category is Digital Marketing Agency Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAAAAA, Integrated Full-Service Creative Agencies. Its NAICS code is 541430 and its SIC code is 7330.