Ivy Group

What Ivy Group does

Ivy Group, legally The Ivy Group, Ltd., is a woman-owned, privately held full-service marketing agency founded in 1989 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia. The firm delivers integrated marketing, custom website development, and specialized library consulting across two core practice areas. Under integrated marketing, Ivy Group provides research (environmental analysis, market segmentation, interviews, surveys), branding (positioning, logo and visual identity, standards, collateral), advertising (marketing plans, media buying, paid search, public relations), and content marketing (strategy, writing, multimedia, social media, email). Under library consulting, the firm provides strategic planning, community needs assessments, training and workshops, branding and communications, and digital branch development for libraries and library support organizations.

The agency's technology stack centers on WordPress CMS with HTML5, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript, producing custom-coded themes rather than template configurations. Standout delivery features include ADA accessibility compliance, mobile responsiveness, on-page SEO, and integrations with WooCommerce, Gravity Forms, Yoast SEO, Relevanssi, and association management systems such as MemberClicks. Content operations include a long-running blog (active since 2009) covering marketing, design, libraries, and web technology, and the "Advancing America's Libraries" podcast series. The library consulting track has served over 100 libraries and library support organizations nationally, supported by in-house library science credentials (MLIS, MSLS) alongside consulting, creative, and development staff.

Ivy Group operates a sales-led go-to-market via direct website contact form, phone, and referrals. Revenue is generated through project-based fees and ongoing retainer engagements across libraries and library systems (primary), nonprofits and associations, small to medium businesses, and educational institutions. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company is owned by Denise B. Prince, MBA, MPH, who purchased the firm from Pam Fitzgerald in February 2021, and has no institutional investors or parent company. Regional emphasis is the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic United States, with national reach driven by the library consulting practice.

Name

Ivy Group

Legal name

The Ivy Group, Ltd.

Website

https://ivygroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ivy Group is a woman-owned, Charlottesville-based full-service marketing agency founded in 1989, delivering research, branding, custom WordPress web development, advertising, and specialized library consulting to public libraries, nonprofits, and SMBs across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlottesville

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

Revenue model

1. Marketing Services: Full-service marketing agency providing integrated marketing services including research, branding, advertising, content creation, and web development. Revenue generated through project-based fees and ongoing retainer engagements.
2. Library Consulting: Specialized library consulting services including strategic planning, community assessments, training, and workshops for libraries.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Ivy Group is a full-service marketing agency delivering integrated marketing services (research, branding, advertising, content marketing), custom WordPress-based website design and development, and specialized consulting for libraries and library systems including strategic planning, community assessments, and training. Since 1989, the firm has served more than 100 libraries alongside nonprofits, manufacturers, and small businesses primarily across the United States.

Product overview

Ivy Group is a full-service marketing agency offering integrated marketing services, custom website development, and specialized library consulting. The company's core offerings include Research Services (environmental analysis, market segmentation, interviews, surveys), Branding Services (positioning, visual identity, standards), Website Design and Development (custom WordPress sites with ADA accessibility), Advertising Services (media buying, production, paid search/social), Content Marketing (strategy, multimedia, social media, email), and Library Consulting Services (strategic planning, training, digital development). The firm operates as a portfolio of specialized services grouped under Integrated Marketing Services and Library Consulting as the two main practice areas, supported by a Blog and Podcast content hub.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Integrated Marketing Services
• Library Consulting Services
• Custom Website Design and Development

Quantifiable outcome

• 170% increase in library card registrations for Alexandria Library following rebranding
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature4 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Gatesman: Gatesman is a mid-size, full-service integrated marketing agency headquartered in Pittsburgh with a comparable mix of branding, advertising, digital, and media services for clients across consumer, nonprofit, and B2B verticals. It is directly comparable to Ivy Group in scale, service breadth, and project-based commercial model.
• Wray Ward: Wray Ward is a Charlotte-based integrated marketing agency of similar size offering strategy, branding, digital, content, and media services across consumer and B2B categories. It is a strong direct comparable to Ivy Group's Charlotteville-region profile and full-service positioning.
• Mower: Mower (formerly Eric Mower + Associates) is a mid-size independent agency offering advertising, public relations, digital, social, and brand strategy across consumer and B2B verticals. Its scale and integrated service offering closely mirror Ivy Group's positioning as a full-service independent shop.
• Brownstein Group: Brownstein Group is a Philadelphia-based integrated creative, digital, public relations, and social media agency of comparable size serving consumer, healthcare, and public-sector clients. Its service mix and East Coast footprint make it a direct peer to Ivy Group.
• Vault Communications: Vault Communications is an Indianapolis-based, independent, woman-owned PR, digital, and integrated marketing agency serving nonprofits, associations, and public-sector clients. Its ownership profile and nonprofit/government vertical mix closely parallel Ivy Group's specialty.
• Laughlin Constable: Laughlin Constable is a Milwaukee-based independent integrated marketing agency offering brand strategy, advertising, digital, and public relations. It is comparable in scale and breadth of integrated services, serving consumer, B2B, and association clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ivygroup

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 Ivy Group