THE IX STORY

We are all born in the in between.

And from that very beginning, most folks go on to believe that certain places are where we belong, certain things are what matter, and certain people are there for us–while others are not. At IX, we habitually venture back to the in-between, allowing us to see the world in a new light, arriving at timeless questions:

Why do we believe what we do? What makes us so certain? Who are we really? What should we do about it?

Questions like these often lead to meaningful change. That’s because this in-between perspective deepens human connections and strengthens brand organizations. But the in-between is also ingrained in who we are: folks who’ve grown up on the fringes of culture, gatherers and tellers of stories, dreamers, activists, inventors, and investigators.

Over time, we’ve learned to move between worlds fluidly, helping our partners explore who they are, who they serve, what is possible, and what is right. This is not just work.

This is belief–and at IX, belief is everything. Come be a part of it.

OUR TEAM

IX doesn’t compromise human depth in delivering action to your business. That’s because we stay grounded in academic advancements in social cognitive neuroscience, neurobiology, anthropology, and sociology, So, it’s not just a job done; it’s a job done to sustain meaningful, positive change in your work.

  • Ben Doepke

    Ben leads IX’s brand and innovation strategy work.

    “Ben tends to irritate people who want to maintain an easy status quo. But equally, he’s been a source of inspiration; giving our partners new ways to think, and compelling ways to express those new thoughts.” -David

    In Ben’s own words:

    This work is about discernment and movement toward a bigger truth. When a brand creates from its essence, the positive impact is massive. I love being a part of that.

    I will never forget the myth-writing work we did for one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world. The exuberance of a creative team emerging from their symbolic image discussions into the concrete guidelines for brand behavior–a classic, transformative IX moment.

  • Megan Gianfagna

    Megan leads IX’s insight and communications work.

    “Megan’s incomparable humor, compassion, and intellect tilt the conversation steeply forward. She often gets people better than they get themselves, and has a way of sharing that insight clearly and gently.” -Ben

    In Megan’s own words:

    Our insight work is about open-spirited conversation and careful observation. Listening to leave people feeling heard, not harvested. Then gradually transforming their experiences with brands to make the real world really work better for them.

    Visiting Afghan families newly arrived in the US and being invited into their homes. I was amazed by their sudden openness and hospitality (and so much Kahwah, each family's recipe a bit different)! I also loved the uncomfortable intensity of those conversations, and how there was no facade or unnecessary pleasantries. It was our only path to the depth and truth of their stories.

  • Greer Scott

    Greer leads IX’s partner activation and grant-based work.

    “There are universes in Greer. Dependable, open, interesting, and authentic, she excels at forming strong relationships and is able to see other people’s needs and act on them before they’ve even asked. Greer makes the invisible plain enough that others can get traction, but you’d be doing her and yourself a disservice by trying to fit your understanding of her into tidy boxes.” -Megan

    In Greer’s own words:

    This work is about IX’s long-term health, which means nurturing all who are involved with IX; in the work they’re doing currently and for the future. I try to offer our partners space and perspective, to give space to step back and breathe, and not just grind it out.

    OuterBound Austin is my favorite IX project because we have been able to sincerely engage our clients as they meet their consumers as people, as individuals, and as communities; not just a calculation en route to the bottom line.

  • David True

    David leads IX’s art and design work.

    “David is a gifted artist. He wants things to be as beautiful as they are functional, and I think that’s special. Form doesn’t outweigh function. He’s also a deep thinker with a passion for justice.” -Greer

    In David’s own words:

    For me, this work is about

    1. Expression. Connecting to human emotion through images and sounds.

    2. Order. The structuring of information.

    3. Beauty. The creation & celebration of beautiful things.

    Favorite project: I loved creating IX’s archetype images. It was nice to work on an unconscious level, making images that still seemed to connect with people in a way that the archetypes themselves work. Another favorite project was our work with gender non-conforming individuals. My favorite projects are always going to be the ones that bring light to a marginalized community or bring something forward to people who have been overlooked.