Our Story | School of Thought Creative Agency

We didn’t even have a name when we opened the agency (having won a pitch.)

But we had a vision:  could we create a place where good people could work with good people to do great things?

That last bit can be a little challenging when it comes to marketing. Tom’s Dad loved Velveeta cheese, but the new and improved Velveeta…is it really that new and improved? The point is, ten years ago, when we happened into doing a campaign for the City of San Francisco on recycling and composting, everyone felt really excited about work. (Relative to work, we mean.)

Ever since then, we’ve brought what we have learned across > 100 brands—including things like behavioral science—to categories sorely in need of fresh thinking.  We invented a campaign from scratch called the Switch is On that rolled out across California to widespread acclaim (and > 40% awareness).  Energy Upgrade California spends more than $20 MM a year;  we had 1/30th of that budget.

Since then, we’ve worked with more than a dozen cities and utilities on sustainability campaigns; all were the most successful our clients have ever run.

About the name?  It took us 305 tries.  Most of them were terrible.  But this one fits.

Sign on wooden table in front of a brick wall reading: 'Good things come to those who work their asses off and never give up.'

What Our Clients Think.

“They are a year ahead of anyone else when it comes to electrification…“

— Kiristi Wilkins. Senior Director, PG&E. (10 year client)

Brick building exterior with black-framed glass doors and windows, featuring a hanging sign that reads 'School of Thought' against a clear blue sky.

“You never get the B-team and they are never Yes Men.“

— Matt Curtis. CMO, Milliman. (14 year client)

Man in plaid shirt talking and gesturing while sitting beside a woman typing on a computer keyboard in an office.

“School of Thought helped us build consensus across a diverse coalition, and has worked tirelessly to create positive change in California. School of Thought’s work is exceptional. Clients can expect a responsive, creative partner that goes the extra mile.“

— Panama Bartholomy. Executive Director, Building Decarbonization Coalition

Motivational sign on a wooden surface against a brick wall reading: 'Good things come to those who work their asses off and never give up.'

"You and your team should be very proud of the excellent work done. In my 30 years at this gig, I can honestly say your agency’s work is among the best I’ve ever seen."

— Kate Kelly. Director of Marketing, Sonoma Clean Power

Man wearing glasses pointing at video editing software on a desktop computer screen beside a second monitor showing a CureSeq and Cancer webpage.

"I have truly enjoyed working with School of Thought on our ad campaigns. They have a never-ending supply of creative approaches to address complex topics that educate and inform our audience."

— Pam Leonard. Deputy Director of Marketing and Communications, SVCE

Two men in an office with exposed brick walls; one wearing a white hat reclines in a chair with feet on a black filing cabinet, the other sits at a desk with a computer.

"SOT is scrappy and nimble— you expect that from a small shop. What’s perhaps surprising is the caliber of their brand strategy and creative. Fortune 50 on down, these guys will deliver."

— Shannon Riordan. VP of Brand, iShares.