What Hirons does

Hirons is a full-service marketing and communications agency founded in 1978 and headquartered in Indianapolis, with additional offices in Chicago and Detroit. The firm offers nine integrated service lines spanning advertising, public relations, digital and web, creative and brand development, crisis communications, paid media, strategy and research, video production, plus a proprietary Rural Reach program for engaging rural audiences. Its client base spans seven verticals: B2B, consumer, financial, government, healthcare, infrastructure, and nonprofit, with notable engagements including Indiana state government (where Hirons handles over half of the state's marketing and media buying work), healthcare systems such as Eskenazi Health and Hopebridge, sports entities like the Indianapolis Indians and Colts, and nonprofit clients including Firefly Children & Family Alliance.

Hirons operates under a professional services revenue model, generating income through project-based fees, retainers, and multi-year contracts with enterprise, government, and healthcare clients. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Distribution is direct via relationship-driven enterprise sales, augmented by QPA pre-approved status for Indiana state agencies and a formal supplier development program. The company is 100% employee-owned through an ESOP completed in 2013, holds WBENC Women's Business Enterprise certification alongside state-level WBE/MWBE credentials across six jurisdictions, and is led by CEO Deana Haworth, the first woman to hold the role in the agency's history. Technology is a conventional agency stack covering digital platforms, data analytics, media buying systems, and content management, with no disclosed proprietary AI/ML capabilities, software products, or APIs.

Name

Hirons

Legal name

Hirons

Website

https://hirons.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Marketing and Communications Services: Hirons generates revenue through providing comprehensive marketing and communications services including advertising, public relations, digital and web services, creative and brand development, crisis communications, paid media, strategy and research, and video production. Revenue is generated through project-based fees, retainer arrangements, and ongoing consulting engagements with enterprise and government clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hirons is a full-service marketing and communications agency that delivers nine integrated service lines: Advertising, Public Relations, Digital & Web, Creative & Brand Development, Crisis Communications, Paid Media, Rural Reach, Strategy & Research, and Video & Production. The agency serves enterprise, government, healthcare, financial, infrastructure, consumer, and nonprofit clients through project-based and retainer engagements, leveraging proprietary methodologies such as the Rural Reach program and a strategic planning model.

Product overview

Hirons is a full-service marketing and communications agency offering a unified portfolio of nine core service offerings: Advertising, Public Relations, Digital & Web, Creative & Brand Development, Crisis Communications, Paid Media, Rural Reach, Strategy & Research, and Video & Production. The agency delivers these services as human-delivered consulting and creative work rather than as a software platform. Services are provided to clients across various industries including business-to-business, consumer, financial, government, health care, infrastructure, and nonprofit sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rural Reach: A unique approach to helping organizations connect with people who are often underserved by conventional marketing tactics, specifically rural audiences.

Products and services

• Advertising

Quantifiable outcome

• 988 Indiana campaign: 455+ million impressions, 176,617 clicks, 186,183 new website users, 10% increase in awareness
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Indianapolis ColtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023988 Indiana partnered with Indianapolis Colts for community outreach at pre-season training camp and home games, distributing promotional materials and campaign signage alongside the Colts' Kicking the Stigma mental health initiative.
• PacersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023988 Indiana sponsorship with Pacers for awareness-raising during basketball games and events.
• Indianapolis IndiansminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023988 Indiana sponsorship with Indianapolis Indians for community outreach and awareness events.
• Learfield Communications (Purdue, IU, Ball State)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Sponsorship partnerships through Learfield Communications for college football and basketball game broadcasts at Purdue University, Indiana University, Ball State University, Butler University, Evansville University, and Purdue Fort Wayne.
• Indiana University Student AthletesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) sponsorships with IU and Purdue student athletes for 988 Indiana awareness promotion.
• InActminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Research partnership for conducting online survey among Hoosiers to establish baseline awareness of 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and measure campaign effectiveness.
• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHirons is a member of PRSA, providing access to industry best practices, professional development, and collaboration opportunities. Active participation in awards programs.
• American Advertising Federation (AAF)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMembership in AAF for industry networking, professional development, and American Advertising Awards participation.
• The ESOP Association (TEA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembership in TEA supporting employee ownership best practices and advocacy.
• National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNCEO membership supporting employee ownership awareness and education.
• Indiana Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChamber membership providing business networking, advocacy, and supplier development opportunities.
• Indy ChambercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal chamber membership for Indianapolis business community engagement and supplier development.
• Chicagoland Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChamber membership supporting Chicago office presence and regional business development.
• WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise National Council)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHirons holds WBENC certification as a Women's Business Enterprise, enabling participation in WBE forums and supplier development programs.
• Women Business Enterprise certification - States (Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerState-level Women Business Enterprise certifications through Indiana, Illinois, and Tennessee for government contracting eligibility.
• Commonwealth of Kentucky Minority Women Business EnterprisecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKentucky MWBE certification for expanded government contracting opportunities.
• City of Indianapolis MWBEcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndianapolis municipal MWBE certification for local government contracting.
• City of Detroit MWBEcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDetroit municipal MWBE certification for local government contracting.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ogilvy: Global full-service advertising and communications network (WPP) offering advertising, PR, digital, and brand strategy at scale. Competes for the same enterprise client RFPs but with substantially greater scale, geographic reach, and integrated production capabilities.
• Edelman: Global communications firm and the world's largest PR agency, directly competing for Hirons' public affairs, crisis communications, and government affairs mandates. Operates at global scale versus Hirons' regional Midwest focus.

Direct peers

• Marcus Thomas LLC: Cleveland-based independent full-service advertising and communications agency of comparable scale serving B2B, consumer, healthcare, and retail clients. Direct Midwest competitor with similar independent ownership structure and service mix.
• Doe-Anderson: Louisville, Kentucky-based independent full-service advertising agency with similar scale and full-service offerings spanning advertising, PR, digital, and brand development. Comparable independent regional competitor serving Midwest and Southeast clients.
• BVK: Kalamazoo, Michigan-based independent full-service marketing agency of comparable size. Direct Midwest competitor serving similar B2B, healthcare, and consumer clients with full-service advertising and digital capabilities.
• Swanson Russell: Lincoln, Nebraska-based full-service marketing agency serving similar B2B, agriculture, healthcare, and consumer clients. Comparable Midwestern independent agency of similar scale with full-service advertising, PR, and digital offerings.
• Highdive: Chicago-based independent advertising agency of comparable scale serving consumer, B2B, and emerging brands. Direct Midwest competitor operating in one of Hirons' secondary office markets with full-service offerings.
• Tombras: Knoxville, Tennessee-based independent full-service agency of similar scale, offering advertising, PR, digital, and media services across similar verticals. Comparable independent operating model and regional full-service positioning.
• Young & Laramore: Indianapolis-based independent full-service advertising agency of comparable size and tenure, serving similar regional B2B, consumer, and nonprofit clients. Operates as a direct competitor in the same Midwest market with overlapping service offerings.

Regional players

• The Richards Group: Dallas, Texas-based independent full-service agency of comparable scale, offering similar advertising, brand, digital, and media services. Comparable independent agency model though operating in the Southwest rather than Midwest.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HironsAndCo
• Facebookfacebook.com/HironsAgency
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hirons-&-company
• Instagraminstagram.com/hironsandco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Hirons