Setup Celebrates 11 Years as The Marketing Matchmaker
Gratitude is the primary word I think of when reflecting on the 11th anniversary this month for Setup. I am so thankful for the clients who have trusted Setup to help them find the perfect marketing agency to fill a gap in capacity or capability. I am grateful for the agencies who have trusted Setup to help connect them with potential clients. I appreciate my Setup team - current and past - who have entrusted me with helping them build a strong company that supports their livelihoods.
While the entrepreneurial path is not easy, it has been a fun ride to see the growth over the years. Here are a few numbers to give you perspective about how Setup has evolved over the last 11 years:
Facilitated over 1,300 introductions between some of the world’s top brands and incredible agencies.
Driven over $90 million in agency contracts from the clients who have asked for our help.
Worked with clients across 32 states and 15 countries.
Expanded our services to include Custom Agency Search, In-Network Search, and Marketing Ecosystem Consulting.
Published over 700 thought leadership blog posts (averaging 64 per year or 1.2 per week).
Interviewed and spotlighted over 100 CMOs in our CMO Spotlight series.
Released our 6th annual Marketing Relationship Survey, gathering insights from 400+ marketing leaders.
Earned media coverage in AdAge, ADWEEK, USA Today, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, MediaPost, The Drum, Campaign US, Atlanta Business Chronicle, and 20+ podcasts—plus a few TV and radio appearances.
Successfully rebranded from AgencySparks to Setup in 2019.
Expanded our team and doubled our office space.
Supported numerous nonprofits, reinforcing our commitment to giving back.
Hosted over 50 virtual and in person events to connect and educate marketers.
Most importantly, we have lived by our core values: Honorable, Approachable, Insightful, Tenacious, and Innovative.
As I reflect on these milestones, I’m reminded that the heart of Setup’s success lies in the relationships we’ve built. Every introduction we facilitate, every challenge we help solve, and every connection we strengthen reaffirms our mission—to bridge the gap between brands and agencies with insight, integrity, and a deep understanding of marketing dynamics.
But we’re not stopping here. The marketing landscape continues to evolve, and so does Setup. We are committed to expanding our services, refining our approach, and staying ahead of industry trends to ensure that brands and agencies find the right partners to drive meaningful growth.
Setup 10 Year Anniversary Celebration Toast
This anniversary is not just a celebration of Setup—it’s a celebration of you. Whether you’re a client who has placed trust in our process, an agency that has joined our network, a partner who has supported our journey, or a friend who has cheered us on, your support has been invaluable.
Entrepreneurship is never a solo journey, and I feel fortunate to be surrounded by a community that believes in what we do. Thank you for being part of our story. Here’s to the next 11 years of making even more impactful connections.
If you’ve worked with Setup in any capacity over the past 11 years, I’d love to hear from you! Share your favorite memory, success story, or experience with us in the comments. And if you haven’t yet had the chance to partner with Setup, let’s change that—reach out, and let’s explore how we can connect you with the right marketing resources to fuel your growth.
Cheers to 11 years, and many more to come!
Joe Koufman
Founder + CEO, Setup