Born in a Harlem apartment, now one of the Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing companies—Elite Media flips the script on what a creative agency can be. CEO Chris Crawford built a model rooted in win-wins - for culture, community and clients. From cutting first checks to local businesses, to reimagining schools through The Schoolys, to dropping $50K of agency money on the Keep it 100 Pitch Competition—Crawford proves advertising shouldn’t just be about campaigns when it has the ability to make real change that empowers people.
Elite Media exists because one choice, one risk, and one Harlem apartment proved that audacity and authenticity can outshine tradition. Ten years later, the bet paid off. The agency has grown to become both an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies and one of ADWEEK’s Fastest Growing Agencies in 2024. What began as an underdog story is now proof that you can “lift while you climb”—building a sustainable, impact-driven business that empowers communities while delivering game-changing results for brands. Crawford’s 1:1 is a front-row look at how to do good business and drive growth, shape culture, and redefine impact.
Elite Media exists because one choice, one risk, and one Harlem apartment proved that audacity and authenticity can outshine tradition. Ten years later, the bet paid off. The agency has grown to become both an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies and one of ADWEEK’s Fastest Growing Agencies in 2024. What began as an underdog story is now proof that you can “lift while you climb”—building a sustainable, impact-driven business that empowers communities while delivering game-changing results for brands. Crawford’s 1:1 is a front-row look at how to do good business and drive growth, shape culture, and redefine impact.
Speakers
Key Takeaways
- How to build an agency model where culture, community, and client success drive growth in lockstep.
- The power of “lift while you climb”—scaling a business while empowering communities.
- Why impact-driven initiatives like The Schoolys and Keep it 100 Pitch Competition fuel both social change and brand results.
- Proven strategies for reimagining what advertising can do: not just campaigns, but movements that shift narratives and empower people.
- Lessons in staying true to yourself and your vision and turning that into an Inc. 5000 and Adweek fastest-growing agency
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