The 411 on CCD.

About Counterpart

A brief history of Counterpart Communication Design

Counterpart was founded by advertising writer Sheperd Simmons. We opened for business on July 1, 2002. And like everything we do, there’s a reason behind it. For starters, it was lucky month #7. Also, it was the first day of the month, the first day of the quarter, and being on a Monday, the first day of the work week — a day of firsts.

After nine months in a spare room, and three years at the bottom of a downtown high-rise, we grew up and bought a house — a three-story former residence in funky midtown Memphis. (And we’re proud to tell you, it’s fully paid for.)

Today, we’re still headquartered in Memphis, but we’ve expanded to include folks around the country — with a special concentration in Dallas.

Most people would call us an “agency,” but we try to avoid that label (it’s an old business model that no longer applies). We work in marketing communications, and we’re experts at message strategy.

Counterpart’s point of view

Marketing is more complex than ever. Heck, the world is more complex than ever. Nobody has time for a message that’s vain, vague, dull, and undisciplined. Yet that’s what most communication is. It’s a real shame. Because getting your message right could have the biggest impact on your success.

Counterpart’s vision

Our vision is to be the Message Strategy Experts^®. We believe a vision should
be attainable, and our clients believe we’ve already attained it. As evidenced below.

“What does Counterpart do best?”

(From a December 2019 survey by an
independent third party.)

Message strategy.

They put message first… nailing your message first, then building from there.

The foundation of the message, and the ability to tie everything together from beginning to end.

From a message strategy perspective, they can help us be best in class.

Counterpart’s mission

We help you create customer-centric communication
that’s clear, compelling, and controlled.

Counterpart's mission

Counterpart’s core values

Venn diagram of the core values of Counterpart Communication Design, which are think positive, keep it real, and respect the process

Counterpart’s employees

They’re the best part of Counterpart.

See our faces

Counterpart’s culture: Top ten fun facts

We’re transparent. Like seriously. We don’t have unexplained tardies or mysterious absences; instead we come out say, “My child had an epic meltdown this morning” or “I spilled beer on my laptop.” (True stories.) Our Keep It Real core value is how we build trust and share our lives with each other.
We’re headquartered in a 109-year-old three-story home in midtown Memphis. Due to several eerie experiences, a number of employees believe our house is haunted. Maybe it is!
We’re closed on Christmas Eve, and we stay closed until January 2. It’s a paid vacation for our employees and does not count against PTO.
Our brand color palette was designed to change every few years. To date, we’ve had 27 different colors.
Every year since 2005, we’ve custom-designed a set of personalized stationery, as a Christmas gift to our active clients. They tell us every year, “Best agency gift ever!”

We share praise from clients constantly. We praise each other publicly and often. We praise a lot. It’s a big part of our Think Positive culture.
Every year since 2003, we’ve thrown a summer party, honoring another year in business. It’s called — wait for it — Counterparty.
Every Halloween, we commission an illustration of zombies, created by a different artist each year. These adorable, ravenous undead laud our people as the “best brains in town.”
Our workweek starts with a Monday Meme™. We co-opt popular images, using them in fun ways to keep our strategic plan top-of-mind.
We invented Meeting-Free Friday™. It’s been official company policy since 2014. And in practice for years before that.

Actual quotes by actual employees

I’ve never worked with a team who praises each other as hard as they work. That’s a dangerously infectious combination.

This is the best company I’ve ever worked for.

Counterpart is definitely different in a very good way.

Counterpart has a way of making an employee feel like family and show that they care about his or her growth, both personally and professionally.

This kind of environment really does elicit the best kind of work ethic from people.

This is one of the best jobs I’ve ever had.

Counterpart is good to its people and wants them to succeed and be happy.

We have awesome leaders who mean what they say and show it.

I’m enjoying learning, growing, and being challenged, and working with others who are so talented, smart, and creative.

I’m encouraged and given feedback. I feel trusted and valued.

Every company says they have a great culture, but for Counterpart it’s true.

I’ve never felt more welcomed anywhere I’ve been.

I had heard great things about Counterpart and they have all turned out to be true.

Counterpart has such nice, helpful, pleasant, and supportive people.

My co-workers are creative, funny, and smart!

This is a caring environment and the people are so nice.

Everyone is helpful and friendly and on top of their job. They value their job and what they do and it shows.

Want to be a part of Counterpart?

We’re always interested in exceptional talent — whether we’re actively hiring or not. Send us a message.