Contents

Executive Summary

Our People

Message from our CEO

Our Communities

State of the Industry

Environmental Advocacy

Redefining Our Brand

Our Impact Roadmap

How We Work

Conclusion

Executive Summary

Since our inception, Dirigo Collective has embarked on a mission to serve media clients ​with a steadfast vision: to transform businesses into beacons of positive change. Our ​foundational goal has been to guide our clients and partners toward success that not ​only achieves commercial objectives but also fosters a regenerative and equitable world. ​Throughout our journey, our 'why' has remained unwavering, even as we reimagined our ​'how' in the dynamic landscape of 2023.

This change is more than a mere rebranding—it represents a renewed commitment to:

Who we are ​now

An evolved identity reflecting our broader scope and ​deeper commitment to impact.

How we serve ​our clients

Enhanced service offerings that cater to the nuanced ​needs of our clients in a rapidly changing world.

Our role in ​the larger ​ecosystem

A commitment to being agents of change in the ​broader industry and community.

Our purpose ​in local ​communities

Strengthened engagement and positive ​contributions at the local level.

As Campfire Consulting, fueled by a passion ​for positive change, we are excited to ​present our first Impact Report, marking a ​new chapter in our story of transformation ​and commitment to making a difference.

A Message

From Our CEO

CHRIS MARINE

CEO & Founder

As business founders, we are not always encouraged to rethink. More often than not, founders are touted for their conviction and unwavering commitment to their ideas. But if we take a moment to re-examine the successful businesses around us we’ll find that many of them began as something else entirely.

Our journey as Dirigo Collective, a name inspired by the Latin for ‘I lead’ and a nod to Maine’s state flag, and the idea that strength comes from unity, has evolved. Our new identity represents the breadth of our work beyond paid media consulting, embracing impact consulting, content development, and strategic ideas that span various industries.

Our team structure and service framework has changed. I’m proud to surround myself with a team that encourages me to reimagine what it means to be an impact-led consultancy and who encourages me to level up the way we show up in our local community, and in our larger ecosystem.

Join us as we delve deeper into the essence of Campfire, unveiling our roadmap for creating a collective impact together.

Industry

The consumer marketing landscape has undergone ​profound changes in recent years, driven by increased ​global awareness of sustainability. This evolution ​extends beyond a trend, fundamentally reshaping ​consumer behavior and brand loyalty.

Trends in Consumer Marketing

As we navigate a marketplace increasingly shaped by sustainability and digital innovation, ​consumer marketing is witnessing transformative shifts that are redefining engagement ​and brand loyalty.

Purpose-Driven Marketing Takes ​Center Stage

The Digital and Social Media ​Revolution

The most significant shift in the industry is the ​rise of purpose-driven marketing. Today's ​consumers are drawn to brands with genuine ​commitments to environmental and social ​responsibility. This change has necessitated a ​reevaluation of traditional marketing tactics, ​with a heightened focus on authenticity and ​transparency to foster trust and loyalty.

The widespread use of digital technology and ​social media has transformed consumer-brand ​interactions. These platforms empower ​consumers to hold brands accountable, making ​authentic engagement and responsiveness ​critical for building lasting relationships in an era ​of activism and awareness.

Aligning Consumer Values with ​Brand Narratives

Sustainable Business Model ​Innovations

Brands are increasingly aware of the value-action gap in consumer behavior regarding sustainability. Purpose-driven marketing strategies, and sustainability embedded as a core brand value, are tactics that inspire consumers to align their purchasing decisions with their personal values. This approach empowers consumers to make sustainable choices through engaging storytelling and interaction.

Companies are adapting their supply chains and business models to be more sustainable, embracing circular economy principles. From sustainable sourcing to eco-friendly packaging, these innovations cater to environmentally-conscious consumers and contribute to the industry's long-term resilience.

Our Brand

After seven years as Dirigo Collective, we reached a ​pivotal moment of transformation. While our ​overarching vision remains constant, we realized ​that our brand needed a refresh to align with our ​evolving working model.

The Catalyst for Change

As our reach expanded and client expectations evolved, we pinpointed essential drivers ​for redefining our brand identity to be more dynamic and inclusive, reflecting the growth ​and diversity of our operations:

Expanding Our Identity

Broadening Our Services

Enhancing Market Alignment

Our team's growth from a Maine-​based presence to a nationwide ​operation highlighted the need ​for a more inclusive and ​representative name. This search ​for a new identity was driven by ​our desire to embody a collective ​that spans the entire country.

As our offerings expanded, so did the necessity for a brand identity that mirrors the diversity and scope of our services. This evolution ensures that our brand accurately reflects our current capabilities and vision.

Our rebrand was strategically ​planned to better align our ​brand with our desired market ​position. This involves refining ​our identity to clearly convey ​our commitment to impactful ​partnerships and sustainable ​growth, enhancing recognition ​and trust within the market.

Our Mission

At Campfire Consulting, we kindle authentic bonds between ​brands and people, fueled by purpose and driven by impact.

By weaving compelling stories with strategic alignment, we ​empower businesses to not only connect, but to champion ​global change.

Our Core Values

Campfire Consulting is more than a business; we're a community committed to making a ​difference.

The principles that guide us...

... informed a set of shared core values:

Fireside Feedback

With the addition of new team members in 2023, we recognized a growing need for enhanced internal processes, structure, and documentation, as well as improved collaboration across service lines. To prevent siloing and to enhance efficiency, we didn't just invest in our team; we significantly upgraded our infrastructure.

Investing in Our ​Infrastructure

At Campfire, we understand that the journey toward impactful change is as unique as the organizations we partner with. Our roots in media and strong community connections have equipped us with the insight to identify a crucial gap in the consulting world: effective impact communication. It's this understanding that shapes our approach.

We're more than just consultants; we're collaborators. For companies on the path to B Corp certification or recertification, we offer a guiding hand. Our role extends beyond navigating the B Impact Assessment; we help craft and execute strategies that strengthen our client’s business and support them in reaching their impact goals while highlighting their achievements along the way.

This is where Campfire's true strength lies: blending marketing expertise with deep impact insights, bridging a gap that many organizations face.

In doing so, we've created a unique space at the intersection of knowledge and action. The impact? It's tangible and real. At Campfire, we're not just about envisioning change—we're actively part of making it happen.

The Campfire ​Flywheel

Who We Helped

This year, we had the honor of working with a diverse range of partners who strive to create ​a positive impact for their organization, stakeholders and the communities they serve.

Mission San

Luis Rey

Global POlicy

Sustainability Institute

• Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
• Financial Services
• Healthcare
• Non-Profit
• Retail

• SaaS
• Nonprofit Tech
• Healthcare Tech
• FinTech

Employee Development

This year, we've deepened our engagement ​with 15Five, a performance management ​platform designed to enhance team ​dynamics and performance tracking. We’ve ​integrated 15Five into multiple aspects of ​our business, including:

• Weekly check-ins
• One-on-one agendas
• OKR setting & tracking
• 360 Review cycles NEW
  
• Monthly employee surveys
• High Fives (Kudos)

Average company pulse of 4/5

84% increase in check-in ​submission rate*

334 High Fives Given Between ​Team members

As an organization, rank in the ​79th percentile for manager ​effectiveness

*Since January 2023

Our new set of core values led to the implementation ​of various internal programs, contributing to a robust ​and supportive work environment:

Cultivating

Internal Culture

Work-from-home ​Stipends

Semi-annual

Company Retreats

360 Degree ​Feedback Loops

Certification ​Reimbursements

Book Stipends

Lunch and Learns

401(k) Matches

Half Day Birthdays 🎉

Knowing that we work for a company that is so focused on having a positive impact is really inspiring.

Efforts to embed justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) into the fabric of our ​operations have been an important aspect of our journey this year.

Participated in B Lab’s Racial ​Justice Impact Improvement ​Program

Offered pro bono services ​through B Lab’s Level Program

Advocated for Tribal Sovereignty with the Wabanaki Alliance

Leveraged DEI employee ​feedback surveys

Employee Feedback on DEI

Looking ahead, we are excited to further enhance our team's understanding ​and actions regarding JEDI through comprehensive training starting in 2024, ​ensuring our growth in this critical area is both sustained and impactful.

Community ​Engagement

As a for-profit business operating both in Maine and other ​communities, we believe we have a responsibility to the ​people and organizations around us. It is our joyous ​obligation to support those on the frontlines of creating ​change. In 2023, we redefined and emphasized what it ​means to support our community by both continuing ​initiatives from 2022 and introducing new ones.

Volunteering

As a (newly) remote organization, we provide ​our employees with 16 hours of Volunteer ​Paid Time Off to allow them to contribute ​time and energy to their local communities ​without using their vacation time.

Our Collective Impact

Community Engagement

2,080

hours of free office ​space usage offered

2 years

of donating 1% of ​revenue to 1FTP

$20K+

raised for local ​nonprofits

Community ​Advocacy & ​Support

At Campfire, we leverage our resources and influence to drive ​change both in legislative circles and within our communities. ​Our focused efforts ensure that we uphold our values of ​integrity and inclusivity through impactful advocacy and ​meaningful community support.

UNHSI B Impact Clinic ​Collaboration

Environmental ​Ad​vocacy

In 2023 we reflected on and continued environmental initiatives that we’ve continuously committed to supporting. But we also stopped to think: what does real environmental advocacy look like as a media and marketing agency?

Environmental Partnerships

A significant 87.7% of our emissions, totaling 301.52 MTCDE, come from indirect emissions ​related to purchased goods and services, primarily from our media buys. To improve the ​accuracy of our emissions tracking, we've partnered with media companies that provide more ​detailed data. This helps us better understand and reduce impacts across both digital and ​traditional media channels.

We've significantly reduced our commuting emissions, cutting approximately 17 MTCDE by ​transitioning to remote work. This strategy not only supports environmental sustainability but also ​enhances work-life balance.

Our media strategies have been refined to effectively address our largest emission sources. This ​has not only helped reduce our carbon footprint but has also increased the effectiveness of our ​clients’ media campaigns through more targeted and efficient strategies.

In our commitment to sustainability, we actively support carbon sequestration efforts through ​partnerships with organizations like Only One, Ecologi, and Carbon Offsets to Alleviate Poverty ​(COTAP). In 2023, we offset more than double our Scope 1 and 2 emissions from the previous year, ​highlighting our proactive approach to environmental stewardship. We have also set ambitious goals to ​offset all Scope 3 emissions, going beyond what many organizations achieve by addressing the ​complete spectrum of our carbon footprint.

Our commitment to carbon management is comprehensive, ​reflecting our holistic approach to sustainability. By ​integrating environmental considerations into all aspects of ​our operations, we not only minimize our environmental ​impact but also enhance the value we provide to our clients. ​Our strategies ensure that we are not only compliant with ​current standards but are also paving the way for more ​sustainable business practices in our industry.

Our Theory of Change

Achieving true systemic change involves dismantling structures of oppression to foster a sustainable and ​equitable future—a goal that extends beyond marketing alone. At the core of our operations, we recognize ​the profound impact of media planning and buying on both societal perceptions and the environment. Each ​aspect of our media strategy, from the carbon emissions associated with digital content creation to the ​energy consumed by digital ad delivery, significantly influences our ecological footprint.

Creating Change

Challenges to Solve