What Lessing-Flynn does

Lessing-Flynn is an independently owned, strategy-driven advertising agency founded in 1907 and headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. Recognized as the longest-standing independently owned advertising agency in America, the firm serves enterprise and mid-market B2B clients across at least eight verticals, including agriculture, animal health and nutrition, construction, financial services, healthcare, higher education, manufacturing, and technology. Named accounts include Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas, Vermeer Forage, Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health, Community State Bank, and Mercy College of Health Sciences, with several relationships spanning decades (Vermeer alone exceeding 75 years).

The agency's service portfolio spans brand strategy, storytelling, creative production, website development, paid media and digital advertising, social media marketing, marketing analytics, sales channel marketing (dealer and distributor co-op programs), and structured training and consulting. Its technology stack is built on third-party platforms rather than proprietary products: TapClicks for cross-channel analytics dashboards pulling from Google Analytics and other sources, HubSpot for CRM, and Canva and Adobe Express for modular creative templates that allow local channel partners to customize within brand standards. The firm does not disclose proprietary AI/ML products but offers AI literacy training to clients.

Lessing-Flynn operates on a professional services revenue model, billing through project-based, retainer, or hourly engagements typical of independent advertising agencies, with no publicly disclosed pricing. Go-to-market is sales-led and consultative, using direct outreach, portfolio presentations, and case-study-driven inbound marketing. The firm maintains a single office in Des Moines, focuses on the Midwest market, and has 11-50 employees (35+ as of 2019). It is family-owned (Lessing and Flynn families), with Tom Flynn serving as President and CEO, and reports no venture capital, private equity, or institutional investment. In January 2026, the agency launched LF BrandKind, a pro bono program offering up to $25,000 in marketing services to a single Central Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofit annually.

Name

Lessing-Flynn

Legal name

Lessing-Flynn Advertising Company

Website

https://lessingflynn.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1907

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lessing-Flynn is an independently owned, strategy-driven advertising agency founded in 1907 in Des Moines, Iowa, serving enterprise and mid-market B2B clients across agriculture, construction, healthcare, financial, manufacturing, and technology with brand strategy, creative, digital media, and analytics services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Advertising Services

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Public Relations Agencies (541820)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

B2B/ABM Creative Agencies (MPAAAAAI)

Keywords

• Brand strategy services
• Advertising agency services
• Digital marketing campaigns
• Creative storytelling services
• Marketing training consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Advertising and Marketing Services: Lessing-Flynn generates revenue through professional advertising and marketing services rendered to clients. As an independent agency, they likely operate on a project-based, retainer, or hourly billing model typical of advertising agencies, providing strategy, creative development, media planning, and campaign execution services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Lessing-Flynn is an independent advertising agency that provides strategy-driven, creative marketing solutions for B2B brands. Its core offerings include brand development and storytelling, paid media and digital advertising, social media marketing, website development, marketing analytics and reporting (via TapClicks), creative production, and sales channel marketing support such as co-op programs for dealers and distributors. The agency also runs training and consulting engagements covering topics like HubSpot, Google Analytics, Canva, SEO/SEM, and AI.

Product overview

Lessing-Flynn is an independent advertising agency founded in 1907, offering a comprehensive suite of marketing services. The agency provides strategy-driven, creative marketing solutions centered on brand development and storytelling. Core offerings include Marketing and Branding Services, Branding and Storytelling, Website Development, Paid Media and Digital Advertising, Social Media Marketing, Marketing Analytics (via TapClicks), Creative Services, and Training and Consulting. The agency also operates LF BrandKind, a pro bono program for Central Iowa nonprofits. Services support various industries including agriculture, construction, healthcare, financial, manufacturing, and technology. The agency employs a 'Less Friction' process for marketing strategy and helps brands support sales channel partners through turnkey campaigns and co-op programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Marketing and Branding Services Full-service advertising agency offering strategy-driven, creative marketing solutions including brand development, marketing strategy, digital marketing, social media, content creation, and public relations services for B2B clients.
• Branding and Storytelling Brand development and storytelling services that help clients create unique, compelling brand narratives through a research-driven creative approach.
• Website Development Website design and development services including content creation, graphics, images, videos, and downloads to build functional, well-designed websites for clients.
• Paid Media and Digital Advertising Digital advertising services including paid social, search engine marketing, connected TV, display advertising, and programmatic targeting across platforms like Google, Meta, and LinkedIn.
• Social Media Marketing Social media strategy, content creation, social advertising, and employee advocacy training services to transform sales teams and dealers into platform advocates.
• Marketing Analytics and Reporting Data-driven marketing reporting services using the TapClicks platform for cross-channel dashboards, executive-level reports, and tactic-level reporting with quality analysis.
• Training and Consulting Training and consulting packages covering strategy, digital media, public relations, social media, creative tools (InDesign, Canva), AI, HubSpot, SEO, SEM, and custom topics for teams and dealer networks.
• LF BrandKind Pro bono marketing partnership program providing 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Central Iowa with marketing and branding packages valued at up to $25,000.
• Sales Channel Marketing Services to help brands support their sales channel partners (dealers, distributors, agents) with marketing systems that are simple, supported, and scalable, including turnkey campaigns and co-op advertising programs.
• Creative Services Creative design services including animation, motion graphics, brand design, print materials, video production, and custom content creation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Six-time Top Workplace recognition (2019-2025) based on employee feedback across leadership, engagement, flexibility, and benefits categories.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and external recognition.

• TapClickssupportingTechnology or IntegrationTapClicks, an all-in-one marketing analytics platform, partnered with Lessing-Flynn to streamline their marketing analytics and reporting capabilities. TapClicks created a custom dashboard that automatically pulls data from Google Analytics and other sources, eliminating manual data entry and enabling comprehensive client reporting. This partnership improved operational efficiency and enhanced client data visualization capabilities.
• HubSpotsupportingTechnology or IntegrationLessing-Flynn offers HubSpot training and CRM platform consulting as part of their training services. The agency helps clients audit their current HubSpot usage and provides training on key features and functions to help drive sales alignment between marketing and sales teams.
• CanvasupportingTechnology or IntegrationLessing-Flynn offers Canva training as part of their creative training services, teaching clients to create and publish designs using the platform. The agency also uses Canva for creating flexible templates that partners can customize while maintaining brand integrity.
• Adobe ExpresssupportingTechnology or IntegrationReferenced in training services as a platform for creating flexible creative templates that allow local teams to add their logo, custom messages, or local inventory updates while preserving design integrity.
• Google AnalyticssupportingTechnology or IntegrationLessing-Flynn provides training on Google Analytics as part of their digital and media training services, helping clients understand website traffic, user behavior, and marketing performance metrics.
• Des Moines Register (Top Workplaces)external recognitionOthersThe Des Moines Register publishes the annual Top Workplaces ranking, which Lessing-Flynn has been recognized in for seven consecutive years. This recognition is based on third-party employee surveys administered by Top Workplaces.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Russell Herder: Russell Herder is an independent, full-service B2B brand strategy and creative agency headquartered in Minneapolis. Directly comparable to Lessing-Flynn in scale, Midwest roots, B2B/industrial client base, and creative-led brand-building capabilities.
• Two Rivers Marketing: Two Rivers Marketing is a Des Moines-based B2B marketing agency with strong agricultural, construction, and industrial clients — directly comparable to Lessing-Flynn in geography, industry focus, and customer profile.
• Lawrence & Schiller: Lawrence & Schiller is a long-standing, independently owned Midwest creative and media agency based in Sioux Falls. Comparable to Lessing-Flynn in independent-ownership heritage, full-service creative/digital offerings, and regional B2B/consumer brand clients.
• Yamamoto: Yamamoto (formerly Yamamoto Moss Mackenzie) is an independent, full-service creative agency in Minneapolis. Comparable to Lessing-Flynn in independent ownership, Midwest location, brand-storytelling orientation, and multi-industry B2B client roster.
• Curiosity: Curiosity is an independent, full-service B2B marketing agency based in Cincinnati serving industrial, technology, and healthcare brands. Comparable to Lessing-Flynn in B2B/industrial focus, brand-and-demand offering mix, and independent ownership.
• Merit Mile: Merit Mile is an independently held full-service B2B marketing agency headquartered in Indiana. Comparable to Lessing-Flynn in B2B focus, Midwest roots, mid-market positioning, and offering breadth across brand, digital, and content services.
• Godfrey: Godfrey is an independent B2B marketing and brand agency serving industrial and technology companies. Comparable to Lessing-Flynn in B2B brand strategy emphasis, industry depth, and independent ownership structure.

Broad incumbents

• Bader Rutter: Bader Rutter is one of the largest independent B2B marketing agencies in the U.S., headquartered in Milwaukee with extensive agriculture and manufacturing clients. Comparable to Lessing-Flynn in target verticals but significantly larger in scale and capabilities.
• HLK: HLK is a full-service global creative, media, and technology agency headquartered in St. Louis with deep B2B experience. Comparable to Lessing-Flynn in core offering set but materially larger with broader geographic and capability reach.
• Mower: Mower is an independent, full-service marketing agency with offices across the Northeast and Midwest offering advertising, media, PR, and digital. Directly comparable service mix to Lessing-Flynn, but with broader geographic footprint and larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/lessingflynn
• Facebookfacebook.com/lessingflynnadvertising
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/316120
• Instagraminstagram.com/lessingflynn/?hl=en
• Xx.com/lessingflynn

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Lessing-Flynn