Protagonist Ink is a narrative studio for founders, artists, and organizations who need their communication to match their ambition. From copywriting to brand identity, media and live experiences, we make sure the story your audiences hear is the right one.
Start the conversation
It’s not about what you want to say. It’s about what’s getting in your way. Over twenty years of building stories across industries, audiences, and stages taught us how to break through.
Cirque du Soleil
The call
Cirque du Soleil wanted to bring more schools to its student matinees. We developed nine standards-aligned educator guides for Cirque du Soleil and Blue Man Group, each built around what made that show particular — a character, a musical tradition, a question worth pursuing — with activities teachers could use before and after the performance. Read
The Colburn School
The call
Marlon Martinez wanted people to know the composer behind some of jazz’s most enduring music. Together, we turned years of research into an eight-part series that lets students, teachers, and listeners discover Strayhorn’s music and the man behind it. Read
Airtable
The call
What teams can do with Airtable is easier to grasp when you watch it. Working with the production geniuses at Conscious Minds, Patrick helped develop four fifteen-second stories, letting audiences experience the app’s possibilities. No YouTube walkthroughs required. Read
Patrick Kirkland · Associate Creative Director, Conscious Minds
How we work
Maybe you know the full roadmap, or maybe the rough idea. We help you define the story worth telling and create the work that brings it to your audience.
Who are you? Where do you want to go? Why does it matter? Finding your answers is how we start. Through research and one-on-ones, we help build the direction that drives what’s next.
You know the impact you want to create. We give that ambition the journey. Someone to root for, something at stake, and a reason to find out what happens next.
We bring the core idea to life. Writing, developing, and directing the work with you, bringing in collaborators as necessary. From brand guides and websites to media and live experiences.
Already know where you want to go? This three-week sprint lets us take a close look at your existing work, focus the story and key messages, and write up to three main pages of your site. You leave with finished copy and a one-page guide to the story and messaging behind it.
Our signature engagement. You’ve got the ambition for what’s next. We help you bring it into the world. Through research, stakeholder conversations and creative development, we shape your project from idea to execution.
Not sure where to start? The Story Read gives you clear direction and a one-hour walkthrough in just one week
Brands we’ve consulted with
The Studio
“[Protagonist] really challenged some of us to think about the organization and our role in a new light.”
Invitation
Tell us what you’re working on. We’ll talk through where we can help, from shaping the story to messaging to creating work that connects.
Or email
hello@protagonist.ink
