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Highdive

Full company profile

uuid003urkv

Namestring
Highdive
Legal namestring
Highdive Advertising, LLC
Websiteurl
highdiveus.com
Company typeenum
Private
Founded yearint
2016
Descriptiontext

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.

Short descriptiontext

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.

Operating statusenum
Operating
Ownership categoryenum
Headcount rangeband
11–50
akta.pro rankint
HeadquartersChicago, United States
HQ citystring
Chicago
HQ countrystring
United States
HQ regionstring
North America
Markets served

Serves global market

Offices1 record

Each record includes

City, Country, Type, Description, Source

Keyword5 values
creative advertising services, media planning campaigns, brand campaign development, public relations services, ai-enabled advertising
NAICS code2 codes
  • Advertising Agencies54181
  • Media Buying Agencies541830
SIC code2 codes
  • Services-Advertising Agencies7311
  • Services-Advertising7310
Product category
Advertising Services
Social media profiles2 records
GTM motion1 record

Each record includes

Type, Description, Source

Revenue model1 record
1Advertising and Marketing Services
TypeProfessional Services
Description

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.

svoco.com
Marketing channels3 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Stage, Description, Source

Distribution channels1 record

Each record includes

Title, Type, Scope, Target buyer, Description, Source

Cost components4 values
Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D
GTM typeB2B
B2B
Offering typeServices
Services
Core offering1 text field

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.

Differentiator
Functional benefit
Problem solved
Product overview1 text field

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.

Product and service1 record
1Creative Advertising Services
CategoryAdvertising Services
Scale indicator1 record

Each record includes

Type, Value, Description, Source

Recent move6 records

Each record includes

Date, Type, Title, Description, Source

Expansion highlight5 records

Each record includes

Type, Description

Peers10 records
1Leo Burnett
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

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.

2Mother
TypeDirect peer
Description

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.

3Tombras
TypeDirect peer
Description

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.

4GUT
TypeDirect peer
Description

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.

5Anomaly
TypeDirect peer
Description

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.

6Droga5 (Accenture Song)
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

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.

7Translation
TypeDirect peer
Description

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.

8Wieden+Kennedy
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

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.

9Preusser Creative
TypeDirect peer
Description

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.

10Mischief
TypeDirect peer
Description

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

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Weaknesses5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Competitive moat3 records

Each record includes

Type, Details

Key risks5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Key highlights7 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Customer concentration

Classification, Details

Named customers6 records

Each record includes

Name, Industry, Type, Use case, Source, UUID

Segment1 record

Each record includes

Title, Type, Primary, Description, Pain point addressed, Use case, Source

Ideal customer profile1 record

Each record includes

Profile, Firmographic size, Sales motion, Sales cycle length, Buying structure, Purchase trigger, Buyer persona, Geography, Industry vertical, Primary use case, Description, Pain points, Evidence proof points, Target buyer

Technology focused
No
API detail
Has APIbool
No

Docs URL, Description

AI capability3 records

Each record includes

Type, Description, Source

AI maturity
App detail

Has app

Feature1 record

Each record includes

Title, Differentiator, Description, Source

Core technology
Revenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Number of profiles
Profiles3 records

Each record includes

Name, Designation, Designation category, Overview, Profile commentary, Source

No data
No data
Funding overview

Funding stage, Last funding date, Total funding USD

Funding rounds1 record

Each record includes

Round, Amount USD, Date, Pre money valuation, Total investors, Investors, News

Investors1 record

Each record includes

Name, Type, Date of entry, Rounds participated, Website

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Each record includes

Name, Acquisition type, Announced date, Completed date, Status, Website, News

Investment

Each record includes

Name, Round, Announced date, Lead investor, Website, News

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Highdive

Advertising Serviceshighdiveus.com

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.

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

Location

Headquarters

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

  1. 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 offering

Core 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 profile

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Highdive technology and API

Technology

Technology 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 signal

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Highdive competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Broad 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 presence

Highdive financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Highdive leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Highdive funding detail

Funding detail

Funding 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 investment

M&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.

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Live signals
LBBOnlineCulligan Taps Highdive and Zeno Group for First Global CampaignCulligan International has selected Highdive and Zeno Group as agency partners for its first global awareness campaign, set to launch early next year. Highdive will create a global brand platform and lead creative efforts, while Zeno will handle earned media, content creation, and executive visibility to enhance Culligan's brand presence. This initiative is part of Culligan's broader efforts to strengthen its global reach and sustainability focus in the water transformation sector.LBBOnlineHighdive’s Latest Jeep Ad Uses AI-Generated Vehicles Approved by Product SpecialistsJeep has unveiled a new advertising campaign featuring AI-generated vehicles and footage, created by Highdive and its in-house production studio 1986 using Google's Veo and Luma Dream Machine, with all AI-generated content approved by product specialists to the same standard as traditionally filmed productions. The campaign reduced production time from more than six months to approximately two months and saved over seven days of shooting time, while maintaining millimetre-level product accuracy for the vehicles. The campaign, which follows a discarded tyre chasing a Jeep across different terrains, premiered during Google's lunch at Cannes Lions and was developed as part of Google's Creative Lighthouse programme designed to encourage AI-driven 'Impossible Ads'.MediaPostMeet Stan, Caitlin Clark's New TeammateState Farm will run animated ads featuring Stan, a robotic stanchion pad character, alongside WNBA star Caitlin Clark across NBA and WNBA programming. The campaign, developed with agency Highdive, aims to leverage the stanchion pad asset and highlight State Farm's agent network. Ads debut Friday on opening night of the WNBA season.PR NewswireZOA® Energy Enters Its Next Chapter with Real, Everyday Energy with New Campaign, Packaging Refresh and Seasonal Flavor LaunchZOA Energy, a better-for-you energy drink brand co-founded by Dwayne Johnson and backed by Molson Coors Beverage Company, has launched a new equity marketing campaign called "You Can't Fake This Kind of Energy" developed in partnership with Chicago-based creative agency Highdive. The campaign, targeting the everyday energy space rather than extreme performance, will run across social and digital channels and coincides with a packaging refresh and the introduction of a limited-edition Shave Ice flavor launching May 18. The updated packaging will roll out this summer at major retailers nationwide where ZOA is already available.MediaPostHighdive's New York Office Scores Big Win: AOR For WayfairHighdive was named Agency of Record for Wayfair, its first major win for the New York office. First work, including a refreshed brand platform and 2026 holiday campaign, is expected this fall. The appointment follows wins in health and B2B categories.MediaPostIPG's Cunningham Departs, Plans New ConsultancyCreative agency Highdive has been named Agency of Record for Wayfair, marking the first major win for Highdive's New York office. The agency will provide strategic, creative, and production services as Wayfair expands from ecommerce into physical retail, with new store openings planned in Atlanta, Denver, Columbus, Ohio, and Yonkers, New York. This appointment follows Highdive's recent wins in the health and B2B categories including Parkview Health, Build-A-Bear, and Conagra Brands.MediaPostJain Takes Reins As Highdive's Chief Strategy OfficerCreative agency Highdive appointed Nimisha Jain as chief strategy officer; Jain brings 20 years of brand strategy experience, previously serving as EVP of strategy at Mischief where she worked on accounts including Heinz, Coors Light, and EOS.AdweekYour Agency Just Sold To Private Equity. Now What?Interpublic Group (IPG) sold creative agency R/GA to private equity firm Truelink Capital, a deal that industry leaders say signals accelerating PE activity in the creative agency space, with multiple recent investments in shops like Highdive, Barkley/OKRP, Brainlabs, and Huge. Private equity firms are increasingly targeting creative and tech-enabled agencies despite historically viewing them as less predictable due to their project-based, talent-driven model, and are providing capital for strategic acquisitions with typical 3-to-7-year exit timelines. Brainlabs exemplifies the growth path under PE ownership, completing 10 acquisitions since its 2019 Falfurrias Capital Partners minority investment and growing eightfold by 2023 to over $1 billion in client billings and 850 employees.Business InsiderWe've worked on more than 50 Super Bowl ads, and our commercials almost never cost less than $1 million — here's how we do itMark Gross and Chad Broude, cofounders of Chicago-based boutique agency Highdive, describe their process for creating Super Bowl commercials, explaining that creative budgets typically start at $1 million before the additional $10 million or more for 60-second media buys. The agency has produced over 50 Super Bowl ads collectively, including award-winning spots for Rocket Mortgage and Jeep, with celebrity talent adding up to $6 million or more per spot. The cofounders emphasize that the Super Bowl is unique because consumers actively seek out commercials rather than avoid them, requiring high entertainment value to successfully insert a brand into culture.ScreenmagHighdive Attracts Private Equity As It Looks to Explore Growth in AI, Media, PRChicago-based private equity firm Svoboda Capital has made a significant investment in independent advertising agency Highdive, which will retain its independence. CEO Megan Lally stated that the capital will be used to explore growth opportunities in media planning, PR, production, and AI, with potential national and international expansion on the table.