Highdive
Highdive is a Chicago-based independent creative advertising agency founded in 2016 that develops integrated campaigns — including broadcast, social, digital, and AI-enhanced creative — for major national brand clients such as Jeep, KFC, State Farm, NHL, MSC Cruises, and ZOA Energy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Highdive does
Highdive Advertising, LLC is a Chicago-based, independent creative advertising agency founded in 2016 that develops integrated campaigns for major national brand owners. Its client roster includes Jeep (Stellantis), KFC, State Farm, NHL, MSC Cruises, and ZOA Energy, with work spanning broadcast television (including Super Bowl creative such as State Farm's 'Livin' on a Prayer'), social and digital campaigns, and experiential activations. The agency has begun integrating generative AI into campaign production — notably AI-generated visuals for Jeep's 'Wild Thoughts' Grand Cherokee work and an AI-involved NHL campaign — but does not disclose proprietary AI/ML research or in-house model development.
The agency operates on a professional-services revenue model, earning project and likely retainer fees from enterprise marketing clients through direct B2B sales relationships rather than intermediary channels. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Co-founders Chad Broude and Mark Gross continue to lead as dual Chief Creative Officers, and the senior team was recently expanded with the addition of a Chief Strategy Officer (Nimisha Jain, late 2025) and a first Chief Growth and Marketing Officer (early 2026).
In May 2024, Highdive received a strategic private equity investment from Svoboda Capital Partners, advised by Spring Advisors, with proceeds earmarked for service-line expansion into media planning, public relations, production, and AI capabilities while preserving the agency's independent operating posture. Headcount sits in the 11-50 range, suggesting a boutique-to-mid-size shop reliant on a small set of anchor accounts rather than a diversified long tail of clients.
Highdive firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Highdive
- Legal name
- Highdive Advertising, LLC
- Website
- https://highdiveus.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Highdive is a Chicago-based independent creative advertising agency founded in 2016 that develops integrated campaigns — including broadcast, social, digital, and AI-enhanced creative — for major national brand clients such as Jeep, KFC, State Farm, NHL, MSC Cruises, and ZOA Energy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Highdive is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Highdive business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Advertising and Marketing Services: Highdive generates revenue by creating advertising campaigns and marketing strategies for major brands. Revenue comes from professional service fees, likely project-based and/or retainer arrangements with brand clients.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Highdive product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Highdive is an independent creative advertising agency that develops integrated advertising campaigns, media plans, public relations programs, and production services for major national brand clients. The agency's work spans broadcast television, digital, social media, and experiential marketing, with growing investment in AI-enabled campaign development.
Product overview
Highdive is an independent Chicago-based advertising agency offering a unified creative advertising platform. The agency provides integrated services including creative campaign development, media planning, public relations, and production. Highdive has developed high-profile marketing strategies for prominent brands including Jeep (Stellantis), KFC, ZOA Energy, MSC Cruises, and the NHL, creating campaigns across broadcast, social media, and digital channels. The agency recently received investment to explore growth opportunities in AI-enabled advertising capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Creative Advertising Services
Companies that use Highdive
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Highdive technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature1 record
Highdive partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Highdive competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Leo Burnett: Leo Burnett is a major Chicago-headquartered global advertising agency (Publicis network) producing iconic campaigns. It is a broader incumbent in the same Chicago creative market where Highdive competes for talent and clients, and was the prior employer of Highdive CSO Nimisha Jain.
- Droga5 (Accenture Song): Droga5 is a globally recognized creative agency (now part of Accenture Song) known for work with major brands including The New York Times, Under Armour, and IHOP. It is a broader incumbent in the creative category — same craft, much larger scale and resources than Highdive.
- Wieden+Kennedy: Wieden+Kennedy is a large, iconic independent creative agency known for work with Nike and other major global brands. It is a broader incumbent in the independent creative category — same model, materially larger scale and longer track record than Highdive.
Direct peers
- Mother: Mother is a well-known independent creative agency network with offices in NY, LA, and London. It is a directly comparable independent creative peer competing for similar marquee brand assignments on creative merit rather than scale.
- Tombras: Tombras is an independent, full-service advertising agency producing creative, media, and digital work for major brands. It parallels Highdive as a mid-sized independent competing against holding-company networks for enterprise clients.
- GUT: GUT is an independent, globally-minded creative agency known for bold, culturally resonant campaigns. Comparable to Highdive as a similarly-sized independent creative shop winning work for major consumer brands without holding-company affiliation.
- Anomaly: Anomaly is an independent creative and communications company working with major global brands. It matches Highdive's positioning as a non-holding-company agency delivering integrated, creatively-led work for enterprise clients.
- Translation: Translation LLC is an independent creative and cultural agency that has worked with major brands including Google and NBA. It is a directly comparable independent creative peer of similar size and ambition.
- Preusser Creative: Preusser Creative is a New York-based independent agency serving enterprise clients with creative and brand strategy work. It is a directly comparable mid-sized independent creative agency competing in the same talent and client pool.
- Mischief: Mischief is an independent creative agency recognized for bold campaigns and industry awards. It is directly comparable to Highdive as a similarly-positioned independent creative shop; notably, Highdive's CSO Nimisha Jain previously worked at Mischief.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Highdive social profiles
Digital presenceHighdive financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Highdive leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Highdive funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Highdive M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Highdive
What does Highdive do?
Highdive is an independent creative advertising agency that develops integrated advertising campaigns, media plans, public relations programs, and production services for major national brand clients. The agency's work spans broadcast television, digital, social media, and experiential marketing, with growing investment in AI-enabled campaign development.
Is Highdive a public or private company?
Highdive is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Highdive founded?
Highdive was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Highdive based?
Highdive is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Highdive make money?
One revenue line is on record: advertising and Marketing Services.
Who are Highdive's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Leo Burnett, Droga5 (Accenture Song) and Wieden+Kennedy. Direct peers are Mother, Tombras, GUT, Anomaly, Translation, Preusser Creative and Mischief.
Does Highdive have an API?
No public API is recorded for Highdive.