What Explore does

Explore Media, LLC is a privately held commercial production company founded in 2003 and headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, with a second full-service office in Chicago. The company produces television commercials, brand films, and digital content for advertising agencies and brand marketing departments, operating a director-led model with a roster that includes Jeremy Pinckert, Mitchell Lazar, Angela Kohler, and Kali Bailey. Explore Media runs the full production pipeline in-house: pre-production (casting, location scouts, storyboarding), principal photography using 4K equipment (RED cameras, Sony A7S, DJI Inspire drones, ARRI Alexa, Cooke/Angenieux lenses), and post-production (4K editing, Da Vinci/Smoke/Flame color grading, motion graphics, sound design, finishing). Differentiated techniques include in-camera transitions, non-studio green screen production, and integrated aerial/ground 4K capture.

The business operates on project-based, custom-quoted fees with revenue from one-time commercial production engagements rather than recurring contracts. Go-to-market is sales-led and dual-channel: direct-to-brand engagements with enterprise marketing departments and partnership-based engagements with advertising agencies (including Leo Burnett, Sapient Razorfish, 88 Brand Partners, TPN, OKRP). A regional sales representation agreement with Gypsy Reps covers the Midwest. Customer verticals span pharmaceutical (Eli Lilly), food delivery (Home Chef), financial services (1st Source Bank, CEFCU), food/grocery (SpartanNash/Martin's, Keystone Light), healthcare (Beacon Health, BCBS Arizona), retail (Serta, Blair), education (Notre Dame), and recreation/tourism (Go RVing, Jayco RV). The company has accumulated 90+ industry awards including Tellys, MUSE Creative Awards, ADDYs, and two Emmy nominations.

Explore Media is founder-owned and operated with 1-10 employees and no disclosed external funding, acquisitions, or parent company. Operating geographies span the Midwest and broader North America, with the ability to produce in all major U.S. cities. The company has demonstrated 22-year operational continuity, post-2016/2017 geographic expansion into Chicago, and ongoing award and campaign activity through 2025.

Name

Explore

Legal name

Explore Media, LLC

Website

https://explore-media.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Explore Media, LLC is a privately held, director-led commercial production company founded in 2003 that produces TV commercials, brand films, and digital content for advertising agencies and brand marketing departments across multiple U.S. verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Video Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)

akta.pro primary industry

Media Planning, Buying & Optimization (BPAFAAAC)

Keywords

• Commercial video production
• Brand film production
• Tv commercial production
• Post-production services
• Digital advertising content

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commercial Production Services: Project-based fees for producing television commercials and digital content for agencies and brands. Services include concept development, directing, shooting, editing, color correction, sound design, and finishing. Pricing varies based on project scope, crew size, locations, and post-production requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Explore Media is a full-service commercial video production company that produces television commercials, digital advertising content, and brand films for advertising agencies and brand marketing teams. Services cover the entire production pipeline — including concept development, directing, shooting, editing, color correction, sound design, motion graphics, and finishing — and are delivered through a 4K-capable in-house production workflow spanning South Bend, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois.

Product overview

Explore Media is an award-winning commercial production company founded in 2003, offering full-service video production services including commercial production, pre-production planning, and post-production finishing. The company operates a roster of directors specializing in various styles (comedy, lifestyle, cinematic storytelling), and produces TV commercials, digital content for streaming and social platforms, brand films, and still photography. Their services span the entire production pipeline from creative development and casting through 4K editing, color correction, and sound design. The company works directly with brands and agencies, positioning itself as a direct-to-brand alternative to traditional agency production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Production Services Full-service commercial video production for advertising agencies and brand marketing teams, encompassing concept development, directing, shooting, editing, color correction, sound design, and finishing. Delivered through an in-house 4K production workflow at Explore Media's South Bend and Chicago offices.
• Television Commercials Broadcast-quality television commercials produced for major networks and cable outlets, including Super Bowl ad placements and regional broadcast campaigns.
• Digital Content Digital advertising content produced for streaming pre-roll, OTT platforms, social media, and online channels as part of integrated brand campaigns.
• Brand Films Documentary-style and narrative brand films produced for both internal marketing purposes (such as membership and visual storytelling) and external campaign deployment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Produced 40+ commercial assets for Eli Lilly campaign from 2-day shoot
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 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

One partnership is on record.

• Gypsy RepsregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 May 2021Gypsy Reps serves as Explore Media's Midwest sales representatives, providing regional market coverage and business development support in the Midwest region.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Leo Burnett: Global advertising agency that has directly partnered with Explore Media on campaigns including Serta's 'GuestBedBlues'. As a large incumbent, Leo Burnett offers in-house production services and competes for the same enterprise brand budgets that Explore targets via its direct-to-brand model.
• Wieden+Kennedy: Independent global creative agency known for high-profile campaigns with major brands. Functions as both a potential production partner and competitor to Explore Media, as agencies increasingly develop in-house production capabilities that compete with boutique production companies for enterprise brand budgets.

Direct peers

• Smuggler: Award-winning commercial production company and director management firm. Comparable to Explore Media in producing high-end TV commercials and digital content for major brands, with a roster of internationally recognized directors.
• Pulse Films: Global production company producing commercials, music videos, and branded content with an in-house director roster. Comparable to Explore Media in full-service commercial production with talent representation, serving similar enterprise and agency clients across TV, digital, and OTT.
• Prettybird: Creative production company and talent management firm representing directors and content creators for commercials and branded content. Directly comparable to Explore Media's director roster + production services model, with similar boutique positioning serving major brands.
• Radical Media: Multi-disciplinary production company producing commercials, branded content, and feature films with a roster of acclaimed directors. Comparable to Explore Media in offering full-service commercial production for major brands and agencies, with similar direct-to-brand positioning.
• Anonymous Content: Premier boutique commercial production company and director management firm representing award-winning directors across film, TV, and advertising. Directly comparable to Explore Media in business model (production services + talent roster) and target clients (agencies and brands), though significantly larger and LA-based.
• Epoch Films: Boutique commercial production company representing a roster of award-winning directors. Directly comparable to Explore Media in business model (director representation + production services), serving both agencies and direct-to-brand clients in the TV and digital advertising space.
• RSA Films: Commercial production company founded by Ridley Scott with a roster of notable directors. Comparable to Explore Media in offering commercial production services for major brands and agencies, with a much longer industry history and larger global footprint.
• MJZ: Globally recognized commercial production company and director representation firm. Comparable to Explore Media in its core business of representing award-winning directors and producing commercials for agencies and brands, with a much larger roster and global footprint.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/exploreproductions

Compliance3 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 Explore