Shaping impact through strategy, collaboration, and creative expertise
Commerce & Culture grew from a parallel focus on storytelling and impact to evolve a uniquely integrated practice. Our methodology brings together strategic thinking and creative craft through hands-on production, creating immediate value for partners while advancing lasting narrative transformation.
This integration enables organizations to shape authentic narratives that resonate across contexts, while building creative capacity through collaborative innovation, skills development, and global-local partnerships.
Our Approach
Commerce & Culture Labs transforms purpose into impact through focused collaboration. A five-phase methodology guides initiatives from concept to reality—creating creative solutions that drive meaningful change
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Commerce & Culture Labs creates focused spaces where ideas evolve through collaborative exploration. Each lab curates the right mix of stakeholders, specialists and creatives—building understanding and defining possibilities. Together we explore potential, shape initial concepts, and develop strong foundations for transformation.
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We turn insight into action through deep research and stakeholder dialogue. Using participatory approaches, we work closely with partners to connect vision with practical steps, define measurable objectives, and build flexible frameworks for success. By anchoring initiatives in complementary strengths, we ensure they can evolve and scale effectively.
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Complex ideas become compelling stories through strategic development and creative craft. We identify key themes, shape clear messages, and craft narratives that connect across different contexts. These stories build shared understanding and inspire real engagement.
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Ideas become reality through focused development and delivery. We bring together essential elements—from design and content to technology and partnerships—integrating each piece to create working solutions. Our process turns creative vision into tangible impact through careful development and strategic implementation.
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Real impact grows through careful assessment and active development. We measure reach and effectiveness, adapt to new insights, and identify opportunities for expansion. This ongoing process extends influence and creates pathways for sustained growth.
Offices
New York
Nestled in the West Village, one of Manhattan's most charismatic neighborhoods, our New York office resides in a historic half-timbered building. New York, being one of the world's most diverse and forward-thinking cities, provides us with a constant source of inspiration and collaboration opportunities.
Copenhagen
In Copenhagen, we are positioned within the OMA-designed BLOXHUB. This locale, along with the connected community, enhances our ability to integrate sustainable practices and creative solutions that reflect Nordic leadership in social policy, design, and environmental stewardship.
Nairobi
Located in the serene neighborhood of Karen, our Nairobi office sits within the vibrant Nairobi Garage, enabling us to collaborate closely with a diverse community of impact entrepreneurs, creatives, and technologists driving societal change and sustainable development across the East African region.
People and Purpose
Purpose
To reimagine divides and elevate what unites us
Mission
To drive systemic change through strategic storytelling and cross-sector partnerships, transforming narratives to accelerate policy action on sustainable development goals
Core
We lead with curiosity, act with integrity, and create with courage, fostering an environment where bold ideas and innovative thinking flourish
Our Story
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Initially focusing on supporting the cultural and creative sectors in the Global South and engaging in public diplomacy in the Nordics, we began as a small, passionate team working at the intersection of culture, commerce, and social impact—a unique space where shared value could be created. Since then, we've grown into a global network of diverse talent united by a singular vision: to enable meaningful change through strategic creativity.
Over the years, we've developed a hybrid approach that seamlessly blends the strategic rigor of a consultancy, the creative innovation of an agency, and the mission-driven principles of a non-profit. This integrated model enables us to craft holistic solutions that drive purposeful change across sectors and geographies.
Through our work with purpose-driven partners, we've witnessed firsthand how creative collaboration reshapes narratives, influences policies, and enables systemic impact. From fuelling the global campaign for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals launch to incubating Africa Reframed, we've consistently helped our partners unlock their potential for positive change.
Today, as we face complex social, geopolitical, and environmental challenges, our mission has never been more vital. We believe in uniting bold ideas with strategic thinking to advance sustainable development. From this perspective, we invite purpose-driven organizations and forward-looking brands to join us in shaping narratives that drive meaningful change.
Commerce & Culture
Labs
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Each Lab brings together diverse stakeholders and partners to tackle pressing challenges through narrative change, creative solutions, and sustainable innovation. From initial exploration to lasting impact, our methodology flows through five phases: deep exploration with the right partners, strategic pathway development, narrative crafting, solution creation, and impact evolution. Each phase builds naturally on shared understanding and clear purpose.
Our in-house non-profit initiative, Africa Reframed, embodies this approach. By uniting photographers, media outlets, and organizations, we're aiming to reshape global perceptions through curated imagery, exhibitions, and learning platforms. The initiative demonstrates how focused collaboration builds understanding that connects African creators with global brands—creating pathways for lasting change and novel partnerships.
Let’s start
a conversation
We partner with forward-looking brands, NGOs, foundations, government agencies, and cultural institutions. Our hybrid model enables organizations to unlock the potential of strategic creativity, driving meaningful change and delivering tangible results.
Whether you're interested in strengthening existing initiatives or co-creating something new, let's explore how we can advance your objectives together.