What Steven James does

Steven James (doing business as Steven James Media Group / SJMG) is a privately-held, multi-disciplinary creative agency and media production firm headquartered in Rochester, NY, founded in 2016. The company delivers an integrated suite of services organized around a four-step Story Discovery Process (Discover, Craft, Visualize, Communicate) and comprises six service pillars: Video Production, Branding, Content & Creative, Message & Outreach, Multi Media Strategy, and Business Consulting. Underlying capabilities include cinematography, motion graphics, brand strategy, logo and identity design, media planning (digital, traditional, social, OTT, SEO), and event/public relations support. A Feature Films sub-brand produces narrative work distributed on Netflix, Prime Video, Lifetime, AMC, Apple, and Cinemark.

The firm's customer base spans enterprise accounts (Wegmans, Rochester Regional Health, Trillium Health, ProAmpac, A&E Networks, Dorschel Automotive, Trident Precision, NACo) and small/local businesses (Adrian Jules Custom Clothier), with horizontal segmentation across healthcare, retail, government, manufacturing, media, automotive, and technology. Revenue is generated through professional services project fees under a sales-led, direct-engagement go-to-market model; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Distribution is direct, primarily through the firm's website, with thought leadership via a corporate blog and organic social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube).

The team of approximately 15 professionals includes President & CEO Thom Georgia, VP/Senior Partner Ryan Smith, Senior Advisors (Luci Breuer, Jim Pavone, Paul Root), Media Consultants (Chris Hart, Nate Mancini), Media Advisor Rob Bell, and Sr. Engagement Manager Joanna Romero. Differentiating talent includes cinematographers with global shoot experience, internationally released writers and directors, and theater professionals. The firm has no disclosed funding, no parent company, and operates as an independent, founder/management-controlled entity. Notable operational milestones include international shoots in Girona, Spain and Guatemala (2023), collaboration with Golf Channel personalities at the 2023 PGA Championship, and a 2024 partnership with the National Association of Counties recorded in Washington, DC.

Name

Steven James

Legal name

Steven James

Website

https://stevenjames.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Steven James is a Rochester, NY-based creative agency and media production firm offering video production, branding, content creation, media strategy, and business consulting under a four-step story discovery process, serving a horizontal mix of enterprise and SMB clients across healthcare, retail, government, manufacturing, and media.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative and Media Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Graphic Design Services (54143), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Product & Explainer Videos (Demos, How-To, SaaS/Product Walkthroughs) (MPADAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Graphic Design & Visual Content Production (BPAFAIAC)

Keywords

• Video production services
• Brand strategy
• Creative content agency
• Multimedia marketing
• Corporate storytelling

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Video Production Services: Professional video production including company overviews, vlogs, explainer videos, testimonials, motion graphics, video brochures, business presentations, conference and expo booth videos. Revenue generated through project-based fees.
2. Branding Services: Brand evaluations, strategic growth solutions, logo design, research, focus groups, sentiment scoring, culture and voice discernment, brand evolution and rebranding services.
3. Content and Creative Services: Ideation, concept development, storyboarding, motion graphic design, collateral production, photography, visual design, scripting, copywriting, sound recording and design.
4. Multi Media Strategy Services: Digital media management, traditional media buys and placement, social media management, streaming and OTT services, SEO, and business listings management.
5. Business Consulting: Consulting services for startups, leadership change, market opportunities, new product launch, operations support, mission re-focus, and entrepreneurial guidance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Steven James is a multi-disciplinary creative agency and media production company that delivers end-to-end storytelling and brand services for businesses. Its core offerings span six integrated service pillars: Video Production, Branding, Content & Creative, Message & Outreach, Multi Media Strategy, and Business Consulting, delivered through a four-step process (Discover, Craft, Visualize, Communicate). The firm also produces feature films distributed on major streaming platforms.

Product overview

Steven James is a multi-disciplinary creative agency and media production company offering a unified suite of storytelling and marketing services. The core offering comprises six integrated service pillars: Video Production, Branding, Content & Creative, Message & Outreach, Multi Media Strategy, and Business Consulting. The company also operates a Feature Films sub-brand producing narrative films for streaming platforms. All services are delivered through a four-step process: Discover, Craft, Visualize, and Communicate. The agency serves diverse clients ranging from hometown businesses to multinational enterprises.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Video Production Full-service video production including company overviews, vlogs, explainer videos, testimonials, motion graphics, video brochures, business presentations, and conference/expo booth videos for businesses seeking visual storytelling content.
• Branding Brand strategy and identity services including brand evaluations, strategic growth solutions, logo design, research, focus groups, sentiment scoring, culture and voice discernment, and brand evolution and rebranding.
• Content & Creative Creative development services including ideation, concept development, storyboarding, motion graphic design, collateral production, photography and visual design, scripting and copywriting, and sound recording and design.
• Message & Outreach Messaging and campaign services including cause marketing, issue campaigns, advocacy videos, website design and development, eCommerce and marketing hubs, email and MMS marketing, technical writing, event promos, and public relations.
• Multi Media Strategy Strategic media services including digital media management, traditional media buys and placement, social media management, streaming and OTT, search engine optimization, and business listings.
• Business Consulting Advisory services for startups, leadership change, market opportunities, new product launch, operations support, mission re-focus, and entrepreneurial guidance.
• Feature Films Feature film production with works including Wildflower, King's Faith, and Mystery of Her, distributed through platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video, Lifetime, AMC, Apple, and Cinemark.

Quantifiable outcome

• Stories reaching millions of viewers worldwide through major streaming platforms

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Golf ChannelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSteven James collaborated with Golf Channel personalities Rich Lerner and Brandel Chamblee for a pre-tour event at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club. This collaboration provided exposure through legendary golf broadcasting personalities.
• NACo (National Association of Counties)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduced content recording representatives from counties across America providing vital services to the public, as well as 3.6 million county workers throughout the nation. Began 2024 with a week in Washington, DC recording these presentations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tool of North America: Tool of North America is a creative production company producing commercials, branded content, and feature-film-adjacent projects. Comparable to Steven James in creative-led production model, emphasis on cinematic storytelling, and ability to serve both commercial and entertainment clients.
• Sandwich Video: Sandwich Video is a creative video production company producing brand storytelling content for major brands. Directly comparable in commercial/branded video production, creative-first culture, and emphasis on storytelling over commodity production.
• Big Spaceship: Big Spaceship is a digital creative agency producing video, brand storytelling, and integrated content for brands. Comparable to Steven James in the intersection of digital strategy, content production, and creative storytelling for B2B/enterprise clients.
• Coolfire Studios: Coolfire Studios is a digital creative agency producing video, motion graphics, and brand storytelling for B2B and enterprise clients. Comparable to Steven James in mid-market video production, integrated creative-services model, and similar scale.
• Lemonlight: Lemonlight is a video production agency producing branded content, commercials, and explainer videos for brands and agencies. Closely comparable to Steven James in service mix (commercial video, motion graphics), customer profile (mid-market and enterprise brands), and project-based pricing model.
• Demo Duck: Demo Duck is a creative video agency specializing in explainer videos, product demos, and brand storytelling for B2B and B2C clients. Comparable to Steven James on core video production offering, target audience (business clients needing brand/product storytelling), and integrated creative-plus-production model.
• Argonaut: Argonaut is a creative agency producing brand storytelling, video, and integrated campaigns. Comparable to Steven James in integrated brand-and-video creative services for enterprise clients, though operating at somewhat larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Anomaly: Anomaly is a creative agency producing video, advertising, and brand strategy for global brands. Overlaps with Steven James on strategic brand work and commercial video production, but operates at materially larger scale across multiple geographies.
• VaynerMedia: VaynerMedia is a global creative and media agency producing branded video content, social media, and storytelling campaigns. Comparable to Steven James on video-first creative services and Multi Media Strategy offerings, but vastly larger and multi-geography.
• Mekanism: Mekanism is a creative agency producing video, content, and integrated campaigns for enterprise brands. Overlaps with Steven James on commercial video production and brand storytelling, but operates at significantly larger scale with paid-media and full-service campaign capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/stevenjamesmg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxcANsnY33B6WBcybuyvE3Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/StevenJamesMG
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stevenjamesmg
• Instagraminstagram.com/stevenjamescompany

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Steven James