Claerhout Communicatiehuis

What Claerhout Communicatiehuis does

Claerhout Communicatiehuis is a privately held, full-service communication agency headquartered in Ghent, Belgium, founded in 1981 by Pieter Claerhout and now led by a management team of Pieter, Dieter, and Stefanie Claerhout. The firm serves business-to-business, business-to-consumer, social-profit, and cultural organizations across the Flemish/Belgian market with selected international engagements (e.g., Nippon Shokubai Europe, Catalyx). Operations are organized under four pillars — Strategy, Online, Offline, and Encounter (events) — and delivered via a proprietary Think–Create–Make methodology, with a dedicated guide-contact person coordinating each client across all internal divisions.

The agency is vertically integrated through wholly owned subsidiary brands: O2 Agency (Drupal-based website development, e-commerce, 3D configurators, AR), Studio Claerhout (photography and videography with three dedicated studios), Lumac Signs (in-house signage production and installation), Cygnus Multimedia (online and mobile communication), Avinci (ICT knowledge engineering), and RodeBol Events (event management across three owned venues: AuditoRium4, Communicatieloft, and MeetingCenteR4). Proprietary productized assets include the Interactive Digital Archive (IDA / IDAflow) for digital asset management, the Brainplot strategy methodology, and purpose-built platforms for clients such as Vlawebo Connect, Kindsheid Jesu Plenum, and the 1212 retail co-branding platform. The broader CommunicationCampus site also includes the Claerhout 96 Office Centre, which houses third-party creative tenants.

Revenue is generated primarily through project-based and retainer professional service fees, with a sales-led, direct engagement model. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and customers are directed to contact the firm directly for quotes. The firm has 11-50 employees, is privately held with no external funding or parent company, and reports no publicly disclosed revenue. Named enterprise and non-profit clients include Catalyx.ai, Berm (1,200+ employees, seven facilities), COPRO, Belgian Green Building Council, Perfecta, Nippon Shokubai Europe, Stichting Kindsheid Jesu (70 affiliated organizations), and Vlawebo, with marketing channel mix spanning organic and paid digital, owned event venues, email/newsletter, and partner channels.

Name

Claerhout Communicatiehuis

Legal name

Claerhout nv

Website

https://communicatiehuis.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Claerhout Communicatiehuis is a Ghent-based, privately held full-service communication agency founded in 1981, delivering strategy, online, offline, and event communication under a Think–Create–Make methodology to B2B, B2C, social-profit, and cultural organizations across Belgium and Europe via in-house divisions for digital, photography, signage, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Full-service Communication Agency

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Public Relations Agencies (541820), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Product & Brand PR (Consumer & B2B) (BPAFADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

B2B Demand Generation & Lead Nurture Agencies (BPAFAKAA)

Keywords

• Full-service communication agency
• Corporate branding services
• Website development Drupal
• Event management services
• Signage production installation

Headquarters

HQ city

Gent

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional communication services: Claerhout Communicatiehuis generates revenue through fees for professional communication services spanning strategy consulting, creative concept development, online tool development (websites, apps, e-commerce), offline production (brochures, catalogs, direct mail, packaging, advertising, annual reports), visual content creation (photography, videography, animation), signage, event management, and marketing services (SEO, SEA, social media, email marketing, marketing automation, lead generation). Revenue is primarily project-based and retainer-driven for ongoing client relationships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Claerhout Communicatiehuis is a full-service communication agency delivering strategy, online, offline, and encounter (events) services under one roof. The company develops corporate identities, builds websites and e-commerce platforms (via O2 Agency on Drupal), produces print and signage materials (via Studio Claerhout and Lumac Signs), manages events at three owned Ghent venues (via RodeBol Events), and runs online marketing campaigns. Its in-house divisions and proprietary methodologies (Think-Create-Make, Brainplot) support B2B, B2C, social profit, and cultural clients from concept through implementation.

Product overview

Claerhout Communicatiehuis is a full-service communication agency based in Ghent, Belgium, founded in 1981. The company operates a platform-plus-services model offering comprehensive communication solutions across four main pillars: Strategy (corporate branding, employer branding, brand communication, product communication, sales & marketing), Online (website development in Drupal, online marketing, SEO/SEA, e-commerce), Offline (visual content, signage via Lumac Signs, print materials), and Encounter/Events (via RodeBol Events brand at venues AuditoRium4, Communicatieloft, MeetingCenteR4). The portfolio includes specialized products such as IDA (Interactive Digital Archive) for digital asset management, Vlawebo Connect for professional associations, Kindsheid Jesu Plenum for network platforms, and B2Build Mediaplatform for the construction industry. Subsidiary brands include Studio Claerhout (photography/videography), O2 Agency (digital/web development), and Lumac Signs (signage). The Think-Create-Make methodology guides all projects from strategy through implementation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Studio Claerhout: Photography and videography business unit with over 100 years of expertise in professional photography. Operates 3 studios (large indoor, food, and garden studios).
• Lumac Signs
• Cygnus Multimedia
• Avinci
• O2 Agency
• RodeBol Events
• IDA (Interactive Digital Archive)
• B2Build Mediaplatform

Products and services

• Strategy Services Strategic communication services including corporate branding, employer branding, brand communication, product communication, sales and marketing strategy, and communication architecture. Targets B2B, B2C, social profit, and cultural organizations seeking to define and align their brand and messaging.
• Online Services Online strategy, concept and creation, website development using Drupal CMS (via O2 Agency), DNS registration, and online marketing services including SEO, SEA, social media advertising, email marketing, marketing automation, and B2B lead generation. Targets organizations needing digital presence, e-commerce, and online campaign execution.
• Offline Services Offline communication services including concept and creation, logo and corporate identity design, print tools (brochures, catalogs, direct mail, annual reports, advertising, packaging), visual content (photography, videography, animation), signage production, and digital asset management. Targets organizations needing physical and print communication materials.
• Encounter / Events Services Strategic event planning, full event organization, event technology and visual services (captation, vodcast, event photography, event video, livestreaming), and culinary services. Delivered through RodeBol Events at three owned Ghent venues. Targets organizations hosting corporate events, conferences, seminars, and stakeholder gatherings.
• IDA (Interactive Digital Archive)
• Lumac Signs (Signage Division) End-to-end signage services including study and advice, concept and creation, project management, in-house production, and own montage team. Covers indoor signage, outdoor signage, wayfinding, graphical interior applications, fleet marketing, exhibition stands, digital signage, safety signage, and acoustic walls. Targets organizations requiring physical signage solutions.
• Studio Claerhout (Photography and Videography) In-house photography and videography services with three dedicated studios (large indoor, food, and garden). Offers reportage photography, food photography, architectural photography, corporate films, and motion graphics. Targets organizations needing professional visual content production.
• O2 Agency (Digital Division) Digital agency developing websites using Drupal CMS, including e-commerce solutions, responsive design, and online marketing implementations. Targets organizations needing scalable, flexible web platforms and content management systems.
• AuditoRium4 (Event Venue) Conference venue with 7 multi-purpose rooms including a spacious auditorium for plenary lectures, adjacent meeting space, break-out rooms, a giga-screen (6x10m), wireless internet, sound system, and theater spotlights. Targets organizations hosting large-scale corporate conferences and events.
• Communicatieloft (Seminar Venue) Seminar venue with multiple seminar rooms, a large multimedia presentation area, relaxing lounge, meeting room with panoramic terraces, and private entrance. Targets organizations hosting seminars, presentations, and knowledge-sharing events.
• MeetingCenteR4 (Meeting Venue) Meeting venue with multiple meeting rooms (PeRspectief4, Resteau4, BoRdeau4, ARisteau4, BaRbeau4, CaReau4) for meetings, brainstorming, or training, accommodating groups up to 30 people. Targets organizations needing smaller-scale meeting and training facilities.
• B2Build Mediaplatform Media platform for the construction industry connecting stakeholders across the building value chain. Targets organizations in the Belgian construction sector needing industry-specific media and communication.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70 affiliated organizations connected through a digital communication platform (Kindsheid Jesu case)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• LeadinfominorGTM or Marketing PartnerClaerhout Communicatiehuis is an official Leadinfo partner. Leadinfo is a B2B lead generation platform that helps identify website visitors and convert them into actionable leads. Claerhout uses Leadinfo as part of its online marketing and lead generation service offering to help clients accelerate growth.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• LD United: Belgium-based full-service creative agency offering branding, advertising, digital, and content production. Comparable to Claerhout as a Belgian independent offering integrated communication services.
• Mortierbrigade: Award-winning Belgian independent creative agency known for integrated campaigns. Direct peer in the Belgian full-service creative agency space, competing for similar B2B and consumer brand clients.
• Happiness Brussels: Belgian full-service creative agency offering advertising, digital, and brand communications. Comparable to Claerhout in scope of services and target market within Belgium.
• Duval Brands: Belgian independent brand consultancy and creative agency offering strategy, branding, and communications. Closest direct peer to Claerhout in size, geography, and independence within the Belgian market.

Broad incumbents

• TBWA Belgium: Omnicom-owned creative agency with Belgian operations offering brand strategy, advertising, and digital services. Direct overlap with Claerhout's strategy and online services in the Belgian B2B and B2C market.
• Wunderman Thompson Belgium (now VML): Global full-service agency network with a Belgium presence offering advertising, marketing, digital, and commerce services. Directly comparable as a full-service competitor to Claerhout in the Belgian market but with significantly broader international capabilities.
• Publicis Groupe Belgium: Global communications group with Belgian operations providing advertising, PR, digital, and media services. Comparable as a broad full-service competitor in Belgium with international scale Claerhout lacks.
• DDB Brussels: Omnicom-owned creative agency in Brussels offering advertising, brand strategy, and integrated communications. Comparable to Claerhout in providing full-service communication services to B2B and B2C clients in Belgium.
• Ogilvy Belgium: WPP-owned global agency with Belgian operations offering brand strategy, advertising, PR, and digital transformation. Broad incumbent competitor to Claerhout's full-service model in the Belgian market.
• BBDO Belgium: Omnicom-owned creative agency network in Belgium providing advertising, brand strategy, and integrated communications. Comparable to Claerhout in delivering full-service communication to enterprise clients in Belgium.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/communicatiehuis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/claerhout-nv-communicatiehuis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries10 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 Claerhout Communicatiehuis