Your dreams, delivered.
We’re OBI Creative, a brand strategy, marketing and advertising firm that goes beyond just asking the right questions. We listen, we dig deeper, and we turn data, experience and expertise into results that matter.
Founded by Mary Ann O’Brien in 2001 to tackle a high-stakes project for one of the fastest-growing consumer brands in the world, former Gateway Computers, our client roster now spans the globe. Why? Because we’re modern marketers who hustle, bring that Midwestern charm and stay 100% committed to putting the customer first. Always.
Great advertising isn’t just about ideas; it’s about curiosity, collaboration, innovation, responsibility and relentless tenacity. These are the values that fuel our work, driving us to help clients turn their dreams into reality, one project at a time.
Our company is all about relationships, internally and externally. OBI Creative gets that. They combine our core values into every piece of our partnership. They understand how to work seamlessly with corporate and with our franchisees — it’s like they’re one with our team. They regularly go above and beyond — they do a LOT for us and have been essential to our growth.
OBI Creative was able to uncover opportunities for us that we didn’t know existed. Their discovery, research, validation and recommendation process was extremely well thought out and executed in a way that didn’t impose any type of burden to the operational rhythm of the company. They deliver strong work and consistently nail creative. Working with them has elevated our brand in ways I never expected. OBI operates with high levels of integrity. Not only do they do what they say they are going to do, but they are very transparent and act like a true partner, every step of the way.
OBI Creative thought of everything. The team takes a strategic, comprehensive approach that stands apart, especially when it comes to the fine details of execution. They were easy to work with, easily aligned with our team and laser focused on both understanding and supporting our goals.
At United Way of the Midlands, we know that strong messaging is more than words, it’s about building trust, inspiring action and reinforcing our shared investment in community. It’s about helping people see themselves as part of something bigger.
When we engaged OBI, we did so not just to refine our language, but to better understand and articulate who we are in a rapidly evolving philanthropic landscape. We saw this partnership as an investment in our organization’s future and in our ability to connect more deeply with the people and partners who make our work possible. OBI approached the work not as an agency delivering content, but as a thoughtful guide holding up a mirror — helping us see ourselves clearly and speak with authenticity. Their process was deeply human-centered. They asked the right questions, challenged our assumptions, and brought the perspective of an outsider who quickly became an insider. What they delivered wasn’t just messaging, it was clarity, connection, confidence and care.
Through their Voice of the Donor study, OBI helped us distill complex work into approachable, compelling language that resonates with the people we serve and those who support us. Their work has already strengthened not only how we communicate, but the tone we bring to that communication; warm, clear, and rooted in shared purpose — as we continue to show up for our community, together.
Our Executive Leadership Team
Meet the people who chart the course.
