Why was Identity named to the 2026 Inc. 5000?

Identity was named to the 2026 Inc. 5000 based on its growth over the ranking period. Since 2021, the Michigan PR agency has increased revenue by 55%, expanded its client portfolio by 54% and grown its team by 26%.

Is this Identity’s first appearance on the Inc. 5000?

Yes. The 2026 Inc. 5000 marks Identity’s first appearance on the annual ranking of America’s fastest-growing private companies. Identity is the only Michigan PR firm on the list.

How large is Identity today?

Identity supports more than 100 ongoing client programs across more than a dozen industries and produces thousands of creative assets each year.

What is driving Identity’s growth?

Identity’s growth has been driven by an expanding national client portfolio and the evolving needs of companies navigating a more complex communications environment. The agency has continued to build its capabilities around the needs of communicators, marketers, sales teams and executive leaders.

How is the PR and communications industry changing?

Consumer behavior and spending are shifting, the media landscape has become increasingly fragmented and AI-powered technologies are changing how people find information, evaluate companies and make decisions. These changes are increasing the importance of experienced communications counsel, perspective and judgment.

What does Identity believe companies need from a modern PR agency?

Identity believes companies increasingly need more than solid tactical execution. They need communications partners that can understand business challenges, connect disciplines, exercise sound judgment and manage the different components required to build, run and scale a modern PR and communications program.

Does Identity work with clients outside Michigan?

Yes. While Identity is headquartered in Michigan and is the state's largest independent PR firm, it has served clients across the United States since 1998. The agency also has a presence in Chicago and is expanding into Tampa, Florida.

What industries does Identity specialize in?

Identity works across more than a dozen industries, with particularly deep experience in consumer services, consumer products, retail, real estate, hospitality, tourism, attractions, entertainment, commercial real estate and placemaking.

Is Identity an independent PR agency?

Yes. Identity is Michigan's largest independent public relations, marketing and creative agency. Its long-term vision is to build one of the country’s best independent communications agencies while maintaining a differentiated approach to client service and growth.

September 2, 2026

Identity Named to 2026 Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies

Written By Andrea Trapani

Identity has been named to the 2026 Inc. 5000, recognizing the fastest-growing private companies in America. It’s an achievement I’m incredibly proud of, and one that belongs to the entire Identity team and the fantastic clients who have trusted us along the way.

Since 2021, our revenue has grown 55%. Our client portfolio has expanded 54%. Our team has grown 26%. We support more than 100 ongoing client programs, produce thousands of creative assets every year and navigate countless make-or-break crisis moments on behalf of the companies and organizations we counsel and support.

I’m proud of our results and performance. But from where I sit as managing partner, the more interesting story is what’s behind our story and where Identity is going next.

For years, we’ve been intentional about setting ambitious five-year goals and building the agency for where we believe our clients’ needs are headed and who we want to be as a company leading the industry. We spend a lot of time thinking about what communicators, marketers, sales teams and executive leaders will need next, then investing in the people, capabilities and expertise to deliver it. That approach has helped us build a different kind of PR agency.

While many great companies do what we do, I believe Identity is the largest and best independent national PR agency in Michigan, with the best people and some of the most creative and exciting clients anywhere.

But growth for an agency like ours has never been about simply getting bigger. It’s about getting stronger, getting better and becoming more valuable to our client partners and creating more opportunities for our people to live meaningful, rewarding lives as a result of our culture.

Growing Through Change

The communications business we operate in today looks very different from the one we knew five years ago. Consumer behavior and spending have undergone massive shifts. The media landscape has fragmented further. AI-powered technologies are changing how people search for information, evaluate companies and make decisions. Even communicators had their moment in the sun for what feels like the first time in history, thanks to the Wall Street Journal.

All of these changes are creating an environment where clients do not simply need more tactics. They need sound counsel, expertise, perspective and judgment. They need communications partners who can understand the business problem, see around corners, connect disciplines and help determine what deserves attention in the first place. And increasingly, they need a partner who can manage every aspect of building, running and scaling a modern PR and communications program.

That has shaped how we have built Identity. The tools will continue to change. The channels will continue to evolve. The value of experience, speed and ownership will only increase.

Building a National Agency to Watch

We’ve always been proud of our Michigan roots and the amazing organizations, cultural institutions and brands that are forever connected to the state’s success. That will never change.

But our ambitions, opportunities and our work have never stopped at the state line. From our headquarters here in Michigan, we’ve been serving clients across the country since the first day we opened our doors.

Over the years, we’ve continued to expand that reach, proving we can create value for organizations in more markets and across more industries. Along the way, we’ve built especially deep expertise in real estate, hospitality, tourism, attractions, entertainment and placemaking. In those sectors, our experience and national media relationships give our clients a real advantage.

Our intentional expansion into Tampa, with a focus on hospitality and creating meaningful experiences, is another step in that evolution. It gives us a presence in one of the country’s fastest-growing markets and puts us closer to clients and opportunities throughout the Southeast.

We want to build one of the best independent communications agencies in the country while remaining distinctly Identity. One of one.

Making the Inc. 5000 is another sign that we’re headed in the right direction.

Post Summary: Identity Named to the 2026 Inc. 5000

Identity has been named to the 2026 Inc. 5000, marking the agency’s first appearance on the annual ranking of America’s fastest-growing private companies.
Since 2021, Identity has grown revenue by 55%, expanded its client portfolio by 54% and increased its team by 26%.
Identity supports more than 100 ongoing client programs and produces thousands of creative assets each year.
Identity’s growth comes as the communications industry undergoes significant change driven by shifting consumer behavior, a fragmented media environment and AI-powered technologies.
As communications becomes more complex, Identity believes clients increasingly need experienced partners who bring sound counsel, perspective and judgment alongside tactical execution.
Identity has served clients nationally since 1998 and continues to expand its footprint and expertise across key industries and markets.
The agency’s expansion into Tampa reflects a broader strategy to grow nationally while remaining independent and building a differentiated, “one of one” agency.