We focus on the economic, technological, and social trends that affect all sectors equally. Our generalist perspective is informed by some particular, defining experiences.
By Sector
PRIVATE SECTOR
B2B SaaS
We have worked deeply with many B2B SaaS companies that sell highly technical software offerings to multiple, highly technical buyers. Relevant work: Synopsys Software Integrity, Honeycomb.io, Linux Foundation Energy, Terrain Data (now part of Confluent), FullContact, Indr Software, Enhancio
Our perspective: B2B SaaS is the richest and most influential contemporary model for metrics-driven marketing. All organizations across sectors can benefit from this body of knowledge.
B2B2C
We have worked with many high-profile P2P pioneers and led the marketing function for multiple “infinite scale” e-commerce companies. Relevant work: eBay, Zazzle, Nextag, Omidyar Network, Context Partners, Honor, OfferUp, Bankrate Insurance
Our perspective: We don’t make the usual distinctions between B2C and B2B—or lead gen and brand-driven marketing—since we’ve cut our teeth repeatedly in environments where these skillsets and mindsets are deeply fused.
B2C
Our B2C experience includes the many e-commerce companies listed immediately above, as well as long and very successful engagements with Leapfrog Toys, Sundance Channel, and three of the largest and best-known consumer hardware companies in the world (though, unfortunately, these projects are under strict NDA). We also have worked with many omnichannel retail companies including MacPherson’s, Tea Collection, and Title Nine.
Our perspective: The commonalities between B2B and B2C business models and marketing practices are more important than the differences, and many companies that appear to be B2C are actually more usefully seen and understood as B2B2C.
B2B2G / B2G
We have worked with many organizations that sell to government or partner actively with government. Relevant work: Synopsys Software Integrity, Clinton Foundation, Linux Foundation Energy, Remix, U.S. Digital Response
Our perspective: The public sector is complicated and determines the rules of play for the private sector. All ambitious organizations must attend to the public sector to maximize their impact and longevity.
SMB
Our work with SMBs tends to involve small consulting firms like ourselves, or privately-owned VC firms, of which we’ve worked with some of the best-known in the world (but can’t always talk about them). Relevant work: Context Partners, Substantial, Pace Capital, Omidyar Network, WDHB
Our perspective: Financial services and consulting clients have high expectations because the former have the resources to engage anyone, and the latter tend to be skilled in the very services we offer. We enjoy exceeding those very high expectations.
SOCIAL SECTOR
We have worked extensively with nonprofits as a marketing lead, strategic planner, and executive coach, often jumping into situations with high visibility, stakes, and stakeholder complexity—e.g., our work with Clinton Foundation immediately after the 2016 election and U.S. Digital Response in the months following the COVID-19 outbreak. Relevant work: Clinton Foundation, Linux Foundation Energy, Omidyar Network, Community Youth Center San Francisco, Mindful Schools, Art Center, Ulupono, KnowledgeWorks Foundation, New Tech Network, Misnomer Dance Theater, Children’s Day School, U.S. Digital Response, Prospect Sierra, Globalgiving, Global Kids, Apollo Alliance, Izzi Early Education, FACES SF, Moneythink, Millennium.org, Small Magic, Coral Reef Alliance, Endeavor.org
Our perspective: The primary difference between the social and private sectors is that in nonprofits, power is more distributed and stakeholder alignment is both more difficult and more critical.
By Technology Platform
Here is an abbreviated list of some of the technologies we use very frequently.
AI
ChatGPT
Mindjourney
Runway
CRM
Hubspot
Salesforce
DIGITAL ANALYTICS
Google Analytics
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
Confluence
Dropbox Paper
Google Drive
Quip
Notion
MARKETING AUTOMATION
Constant Contact
Hubspot
Intercom
Later
Mailchimp
Marketo
Memberful
Pardot
SendGrid
PROSPECTING + ENGAGEMENT
Classy
Demandbase
DiscoverOrg
iWave
LinkedIn Sales Navigator
SOCIAL
LinkedIn
Meta
TikTok
YouTube
WEB DEVELOPMENT
Squarespace
Webflow
WordPress
WORK MANAGEMENT
Airtable
Asana
Basecamp
Monday
JIRA
Slack
By Theme
ARTS AND MEDIA
kontentreal
Misnomer Dance Theater
Sundance Channel
DIGITAL COMMERCE
eBay
Enhancio
FullContact
Nextag
OfferUp
Omidyar Network
Terrain Data
Zazzle
FINANCIAL SERVICES
CRE Income Fund
Bankrate
Mortgage Cadence
Pace Capital
EDUCATION AND LEARNING
Art Center College of Design
Children’s Day School
Clinton Foundation
Chromatik
Community Youth Center of San Francisco
GlobalKids
Izzi Early Education
KnowledgeWorks Foundation
Leapfrog
Milllennium.org
Mindful Schools
Moneythink
New Tech Network
Prospect Sierra
Small Magic
CLIMATE CRISIS
Apollo Alliance
Coral Reef Alliance
eBay
Linux Foundation Energy
Sundance Channel
ulupono
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
Honeycomb.io
Linux Foundation Energy
Synopsys Software Integrity
URBAN COMMUNITIES
Endeavor.org
FACES SF
Remix
San Jose Project