Pinnacle Marketing Group

What Pinnacle Marketing Group does

Pinnacle Marketing Group is a privately held, full-service marketing agency headquartered in Bemidji, Minnesota, founded in 1993 and operating as Pinnacle Publishing, LLC. The company delivers a broad portfolio of marketing services including website development and hosting (on WordPress-based infrastructure), online advertising (Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), social media marketing, photography and video production (including drone services), graphic design, TV advertising, listing management, and directory advertising and publishing. Its proprietary LocalSolution.com platform supports digital directory advertising and local search listings, and it publishes 242+ directory titles across 35+ states serving independent communication companies and local businesses.

The company serves primarily small to medium businesses with a secondary long-standing segment of communication and broadband companies that it has supported for over 27 years; additional client types include local governments, nonprofits, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Revenue is generated predominantly through 12-month subscription contracts with annual renewal (covering website hosting, digital advertising, social media management, and directory listings), supplemented by one-time fees for video production and graphic design. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

Growth has been driven primarily through acquisitions: Hanson Directory Service (2020), website customer books from Sytek Communications and Nsight (2020), and Evolve Creative (2026). As of the most recent reporting, Pinnacle serves 360+ website clients across 37+ states and 300+ markets. The technology stack is built on standard third-party tools (Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity, Google Tag Manager, LinkedIn Insight, Google reCAPTCHA) layered on WordPress, with no proprietary AI or machine learning capabilities disclosed. Leadership is anchored by CEO/General Manager Shelly Geerdes, with Director of Marketing Regan Meyer and Marketing Manager Autumn Ricke added to the senior team in November 2025.

Name

Pinnacle Marketing Group

Legal name

Pinnacle Publishing, LLC

Website

https://pinnaclemgp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Pinnacle Marketing Group is a privately held, full-service marketing agency headquartered in Bemidji, Minnesota, founded in 1993. It delivers website development, digital advertising, social media, video production, graphic design, and directory publishing services to SMBs, communication companies, and local organizations across 37+ states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bemidji

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Website Services: Domain registration/renewal, website creation, hosting, and email hosting services provided on 12-month contracts with annual renewal. Includes up to half hour of monthly updates.
2. Directory Advertising & Publishing: Print and online directory advertising, local search listings, and directory publishing across 242+ publications in 35+ states. Revenue from advertisers in the directories.
3. Online/Digital Advertising: Online advertising services including Google Ads, Facebook/Instagram ads, YouTube ads. Includes Facebook management and Meta ads management.
4. Social Media Marketing: Social media management and marketing services for businesses.
5. Photo & Video Production: Video production up to 30 seconds for online use, photography services, including script, voice over, stock music bed and materials. Online use only, not intended for TV broadcast quality.
6. Graphic Design: Creative design services including logos, branding, marketing materials, and packaging design.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pinnacle Marketing Group is a full-service marketing agency that delivers website development, online advertising, social media marketing, photography and video production, graphic design, TV advertising, listing management, directory advertising, and directory publishing to small and medium-sized businesses. Services are delivered primarily through 12-month recurring service contracts and supported by its LocalSolution.com digital advertising and directory platform. The company also publishes print and online directories for independent communication companies across 35+ states.

Product overview

Pinnacle Marketing Group is a full-service marketing company offering a comprehensive suite of services built around custom marketing strategies. Their portfolio includes Website Development (domain registration, hosting, email, and site maintenance), Online Advertising (Google Ads, social media ads), Social Media Marketing, Photography & Video Production (including drone services), Graphic Design, Listing Management, TV Advertising, Directory Advertising, and Directory Publishing. Services are delivered through their LocalSolution.com digital advertising platform alongside traditional advertising methods. The company serves businesses in over 37 states and 300 markets, providing marketing solutions that combine digital and traditional channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Local Solution: Online directory platform and local search services
• Pinnacle Marketing Group

Products and services

• Website Development Full-service website creation including domain name registration and renewal, website hosting, and email hosting provided on 12-month contracts with annual renewal, including up to 30 minutes of monthly updates. Designed for SMBs needing a professional web presence without in-house IT.
• Online Advertising Targeted online advertising campaigns including Google Ads and social media advertising (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) to reach relevant customers within a defined budget for SMB clients.
• Social Media Marketing Social media management and content creation services across major platforms (Facebook, Instagram, others) to build brand awareness, connect with customers, and drive engagement for SMB clients.
• Photography & Video Professional photo and video production services for SMB clients, including drone photography by certified drone pilots. Videos are produced up to 30 seconds for online use and may include up to 7 still images or video footage montages with script, voiceover, and stock music.
• Graphic Design Creative design services including logo and brand development, business cards, banners, print materials, packaging, and other visual marketing assets for SMB clients.
• Listing Management Business listing management service to help SMB clients maintain accurate business information across online directories and platforms, supporting local search visibility.
• TV Advertising Television advertising production and placement services for SMB clients seeking to reach audiences through broadcast media.
• Directory Advertising Online directory advertising placement services providing visibility for SMB clients within local and industry-specific directories operated by Pinnacle.
• Directory Publishing

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Evolve CreativemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Pinnacle acquired Evolve Creative, a well-established marketing agency based in Bemidji, Minnesota founded over 20 years ago. The acquisition strengthens Pinnacle's capabilities, expands regional footprint, and combines teams. Both companies will continue operating under existing brands while evaluating collaboration opportunities.
• Sytek CommunicationsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2020Acquisition of approximately 300 website customer accounts from Sytek Communications, a communications provider located in Upsala, MN. Long-standing relationship through 27+ years of serving communication companies.
• NsightmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2020Acquisition of just over 60 website accounts from Nsight, a communications company headquartered in Green Bay, WI, serving Northeast Wisconsin. Partnership developed through longstanding relationships in the communication industry.
• DirecTech, LLCmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2020DirecTech sold Hanson Directory Service (HDS) to Pinnacle Marketing Group. DirecTech had acquired HDS in November 2016 from the founding family who ran the business for over 40 years. DirecTech modernized HDS operations and brought new digital disciplines. Long-standing relationship between companies.
• LocalSolutioncoreTechnology or IntegrationLocalSolution is a digital advertising and directory platform partnership. Pinnacle Marketing Group uses the localsolution.com platform to serve directory advertising clients and provides website services integrated with this platform. The platform enables local search listings and online directory services.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft Clarity and Microsoft Advertising partnership. Microsoft Clarity collects behavioral metrics, heatmaps, and session replay data to understand how visitors interact with websites. Used for website optimization, analytics, security and fraud prevention, and advertising purposes.
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationGoogle Partner using Google Analytics, Google Ads, Google Maps, Google Tag Manager, and Google reCAPTCHA for website tracking, analytics, advertising, and security services. Pinnacle is a certified Google Partner agency.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hibu: Hibu (formerly Yellowbook) is a direct competitor offering websites, digital marketing, social media, and directory/print advertising to SMBs and local businesses. Highly comparable in service mix and target customer, including a directory legacy similar to Pinnacle's.
• Scorpion: Scorpion is an SMB-focused marketing agency offering websites, SEO, video, social media, and advertising. Comparable full-service subscription model for small businesses and professional services markets.
• Dex Media: Dex Media is a directory and digital marketing provider to local businesses, with print and online directory products analogous to Pinnacle's directory publishing and LocalSolution offerings.
• Valpak: Valpak is a directory and direct mail advertising provider for local businesses. Comparable to Pinnacle's directory advertising and publishing business serving SMB advertisers.
• Thryv Holdings: Thryv is an SMB-focused marketing and business management platform providing websites, listings, SEO, social media, and advertising. Closely comparable to Pinnacle's full-service subscription model targeting small and medium local businesses.
• ReachLocal: ReachLocal, part of USA800, provides digital marketing services (websites, search, social, display) to SMBs. Comparable in service mix, particularly online advertising and web presence offerings.

Emerging players

• Vendasta: Vendasta is a white-label SMB platform for agencies and media companies offering listings, reputation, marketing, and advertising tools. Comparable in serving local businesses with subscription digital services and a partner-channel model.
• Bark: Bark is a marketplace connecting SMB service providers with local customers. Adjacent to Pinnacle's SMB marketing stack in enabling lead generation for small businesses.

Broad incumbents

• Web.com: Web.com (Newfold Digital) is a larger SMB-focused web presence provider offering websites, domains, hosting, and digital marketing. Overlaps with Pinnacle's website development and hosting subscription products at greater scale.

Regional players

• Marquette Business Services: Regional midwest-based marketing services provider to SMBs, with overlapping print/digital directory and agency offerings comparable to Pinnacle's Upper Midwest footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pinnaclemgp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pinnaclemgp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pinnacle Marketing Group