Choosing the right marketing partner really makes a difference. Thinking about Column Five and Power Digital? Each takes a different approach and works best for certain kinds of brands. Column Five is a stellar team focused on story-driven content and sharp design—especially for B2B SaaS or mission-led companies. Power Digital leans into data, performance media, and e-commerce, helping direct-to-consumer brands and bigger accounts grow fast.
Here’s a deep dive into how each agency works, what they offer, who gets the most from working with them, and what clients actually say. By the end, it’ll be clear which one lines up with the goals you have in mind.
Column Five vs. Power Digital: Quick Overviews
Column Five and Power Digital live in the same world but drive growth in their own ways. Column Five builds brands with strategic storytelling and strong visuals. Power Digital uses data and paid ads to drive sales. Understanding how they start helps you see which one fits your plans.
Column Five: Company and Brand Style
Column Five has been around for a while, having started in 2009. They mostly help B2B tech brands, cybersecurity firms, fintech outfits, and non-profits. Their bread and butter includes brand identity, content strategy, scalable content production, and data visualization. (They pioneered infographic marketing in 2010s.)
The team is distributed across the U.S., driven by their core belief that the brands that tell the best stories win their markets. They help SaaS brands stand apart with content that builds trust, and their values shape everything they do:
- Be Curious
- Do Good Work
- Embrace Diversity
- Act Courageously
- Be Good to Each Other
These values steer them toward real partnerships rather than simple vendor arrangements. Most clients work with them through retainer agreements, which ensure steady access to creative minds and ongoing strategy.
They have supported heavy hitters like Microsoft, SAP, Adobe, and Salesforce alongside brands like Dropbox and Zendesk. Their award-winning work cuts across brand development, video, digital experiences, and SEO/AEO. You consistently see high-quality design and storytelling that feels appropriate for complex B2B topics.
Power Digital: The Growth-Focused Crew
Power Digital hit the scene in 2012 out of San Diego. Today, the team has grown to between 600 and 1,000 employees across offices in big cities like New York and Boston, plus a team in Colombia. They usually pair up with companies wanting to grow fast, generating annual revenue around $220 million. Outside funding and a string of acquisitions have expanded their reach and set them up for scale.
This group goes big on analytics. Their nova platform hunts for growth opportunities and tracks what works best. It acts like a tech-savvy sidekick for campaign results. They even utilize a method called Power Circuit™ to cater specifically to fashion and consumer brands. (You will see them handling everything from SEO and paid ads to influencer work and web development.)
Clients include brands in food, electronics, and private equity portfolios. Awards keep coming in, including their Agency Partner of the Year win at the 2024 Buy with Prime Summit. They also pop up frequently on lists of fastest-growing agencies.
Company Comparison at a Glance
The agencies look different on almost every measure. Column Five is a lean, independent crew with about 30–50 people. They answer to themselves, so they can keep a narrow focus and treat clients as partners.
Power Digital is bigger, with hundreds of employees and a large book of business. Investors have given them room to add companies for specialties like conversion optimization and analytics. They can run big, complex campaigns anywhere and at any scale.
Column Five has a smaller distributed team across time zones. Power Digital spreads across six offices, which adds flexibility and capacity. If working with a nimble, tight-knit team matters, Column Five offers that boutique style. Power Digital brings enterprise muscle and the teams to match.
What Each Agency Offers
Take a look at what both offer to determine which service menus might work for you.
Column Five Services
Column Five works across four main areas:
- Content strategy. They help companies reach their goals by creating strong content marketing strategies that cover SEO/AEO, campaign ideas, production, and media planning. Their own Story Scan Program is key, helping to identify what makes a company unique and turn those insights into attention-grabbing stories. The system is built to earn attention and trust.
- Brand identity. They build memorable brands that stand out. This includes visual language, style guides, and messaging frameworks that tell a compelling story. Their framework builds off the core of a business so brands feel unified and unique. (See their work for VideoAmp.)
- Content creation. The content they make reaches people at every step of the buying process. This includes written articles, videos, graphics, explainers, interactive web pages, reports, pitch decks, and more. People notice the creativity and attention to detail—particularly important in a sea of boring SaaS marketing.
- Marketing AI. They use custom AI tools to help teams produce more without slowing down. Services here include AI copywriting, visuals, and smart workflow automation with a human touch. AI helps with the first draft effectively so their people can step in to make it shine.
The typical path goes from audit to plan to creation. The process is hands-on, proactive, and centered around building long-term results.
Power Digital Services
Power Digital brings a bigger toolkit, focused on full-funnel marketing.
- Performance marketing. This covers SEO, paid search, display ads, programmatic media, and broad reach on Amazon. Their nova tech finds opportunities quickly and helps teams see what works.
- E-commerce and marketplaces. They cover Amazon growth, Buy with Prime, and pushing sales on online platforms. The team knows how to turn clicks into sales for brands that sell online.
- Analytics and data. Their nova platform—built on a solid Snowflake backbone—measures how well things perform and shows where to optimize. Their other tool, SPRnova™, helps chart a roadmap to get better over time.
- Content and creative. They make videos and social media content at scale so brands always have something new to show.
- Email, SMS, and lifecycle marketing. The agency sets up automated emails and text messages to keep people interested over time.
- Influencer and affiliate programs. Power Digital finds new people to share the word about a brand using relationships and incentives.
- Web support and CRO. They tweak websites to make it easy for customers to buy or sign up.
Their Power Circuit™ approach specifically fits fashion and packaged goods companies. With lots of specialists on hand, they handle every channel and vertical without missing a beat.
What Each Agency Does Best
Column Five Highlights
This crew shines where a clear voice and smart content matter most. They push branding and visual storytelling. Notable wins include their work for Dropbox, where a creative refresh boosted brand perception by 19%.
Column Five’s Story Scan Program helps companies figure out what stands out about their narrative. The method lets brands find stories competitors simply do not have. Their content always serves a purpose by teaching and creating a connection, which works especially well for B2B crowds who want information but also want to be inspired.
They also create across formats—video, motion graphics, interactive pieces, etc.—with visuals that always feel on-point. Smaller teams with big ambitions get a lot: agility, quick answers, and creative thought from experienced hands.
Column Five best fits brands needing thoughtful strategy, clever AI solutions to speed up work without losing quality, or support finding what makes their brand story work. They’ve worked deeply in B2B SaaS, so tech businesses ready to make a splash find lots of value there.
Power Digital Highlights
Power Digital plugs in wherever performance, analytics, and e-commerce matter. Their nova platform makes it easy to track results. Machine learning makes quick adjustments so brands waste less on ads and keep sales high. There is even a case where they saved a client $6 million in wasted ad spend without losing revenue.
The agency knows the path from ad click to purchase. They stay sharp with paid campaigns and marketplace sales. For example, their work with a snack brand reduced customer acquisition costs by 20% after implementing Buy with Prime. Another campaign increased shopper conversions by 92% for an audio brand.
Their Power Circuit™ system has driven millions in projected new sales for fashion brands. They can scale teams, mix creative and technical skills, and handle growth for diverse clients. A run of high-profile acquisitions keeps them fresh with new skills in analytics and conversion optimization.
Some Things to Consider
Column Five: Possible Challenges
Column Five’s pricing usually works best for companies ready to invest. Their retainer starts at $10,000 per month, and the dedicated team retainer starts around $15,000. Stack on brand development and project costs, and smaller startups might need to look for cheaper options.
The team is small, so very large global campaigns can stretch them thin. Their sweet spot is mid-sized or growing companies where quality trumps pushing out hundreds of pieces every month worldwide. If a business expects giant multi-country launches or tons of new material each week, they may need more hands on deck.
They do not focus on buying digital ad space or running huge paid campaigns. While there is some media support, their main play remains story, content, and SEO/AEO. Companies needing a sheer volume of paid exposure might bring in a separate team for performance buys.
Most work centers in the U.S. with remote capabilities. But if a global office network is vital, some companies may look elsewhere.
Power Digital: What Might Not Fit
This agency’s pricing can creep high for new businesses. Rates are usually at least $100 an hour, and retainers ramp up with bigger media budgets. Small teams may find the cost too steep out of the gate.
Power Digital feels more corporate, and the process reflects its scale. While there are dedicated team contacts, brands that are used to boutique treatment and easy access to the founders might see a difference.
Storytelling and branding support also come secondary. Power Digital excels at measurable results through digital tactics, but if a company wants a brand refresh or deep, creative messaging, deeper expertise may be needed from elsewhere.
Offices span North America and Colombia. For brands wanting robust coverage in Europe or Asia, they’d likely work with partners or agencies based in those places.
Who Gets the Most From Each Agency?
Column Five Is a Good Fit For
B2B tech, SaaS, cybersecurity, and fintech are home turf for Column Five. Their experience runs deep, shaping brands like HackerOne and SentinelOne. The agency’s storytelling, attention to voice, and thoughtful design speak to companies ready to build a loyal customer base organically.
Purpose-driven organizations also benefit. Column Five connects complex ideas to people at organizations like UNICEF and the Gates Foundation. When the message matters, their way of highlighting impact shines.
Companies who want to spark a following, become thought leaders, and focus on steady, story-led growth find Column Five fits well. Their partnerships last, supporting businesses that think long-term—not just immediate sales boosts.
For budgets, mid-sized and enterprise-level companies with at least $10,000 to $15,000 per month for marketing get the most value here. The team wants ongoing relationships, so brands looking for quick one-off projects may want a different approach.
Power Digital Works Well For
Direct-to-consumer, CPG, and e-commerce brands ready to power up growth get results here. Power Digital’s know-how in digital sales, marketplaces, and performance media stands out. Apparel, food, and portfolio companies needing consistent online wins see quick returns.
Fashion and retail teams can count on their Power Circuit™ methodology, already proven with major lifts in new sales. Private equity portfolios see value with Power Digital’s focus on measured results—converting ad spending into revenue fast.
Enterprise tech brands scaling up media campaigns and tapping into analytics use their nova platform for sharp measurement. If a company wants growth backed by data, this agency makes implementation easy.
Big media spenders, or teams looking to optimize digital outlays, get tech-backed support. Brands that need expertise in Amazon sales and want smoother shopping experiences use Power Digital’s track record in those areas.
What Clients Say
Column Five Client Impressions
Column Five’s clients are an impressive mix. People notice their partnership approach and creative spark.
A marketing manager at Instacart called them “the gold standard for being an extension of our team.” A CMO at Vercel described the team as a group that “has a unique superpower for taking your ideas and making them 50x better.” Project managers praise Column Five’s speed and responsiveness. For example, Zendesk noted how the team always moves quickly and makes it easy to hit deadlines. One nonprofit leader at Narrative 4 said Column Five “is responsive to our needs, and their attention and work feel very personalized to our organization and goals.”
High marks keep coming on review sites like Clutch and Glassdoor, where scores average near the top. Recognition for creative work and culture shows up in awards, including the Content Marketing Institute Content Marketing Project of the Year and 2025 Breakthrough Culture Award.
Power Digital Client Impressions
Power Digital’s clients focus on results and open communication. One digital consultant mentioned “the blend of creativity and analytics in their work consistently delivered measurable results.” Leaders notice engagement—you’ll hear about weekly meetings and how the team keeps disruptions minimal. A VP of Marketing at Quadient noted how Power Digital “do whatever they can to support our goals.”
Ratings are strong on Clutch and Glassdoor. They stand out among workplace and agency growth lists as well.
Recent examples show clear outcomes: a snack brand reduced customer acquisition cost by 20% after a Buy with Prime implementation. An audio client saw their social ad clicks jump by 63%, with a big uptick in new shoppers. Fashion brands have used Power Digital’s systems to see millions in projected revenue increases. These are the kinds of wins clients often talk about after partnering.
Choosing the Right Partner: What Comes Next?
Deciding between Column Five and Power Digital comes down to the results you want and what kind of partnership feels right.
Column Five works best for brands needing a strong foundation, an end-to-end content strategy, and storytelling that sets them apart. B2B software, cybersecurity, nonprofits, and mission-driven teams looking to grow through story will find value here. Their skills in content planning and creative production help brands become recognized and trusted.
Power Digital fits brands eager to scale fast, get the most from paid ads, and use data to guide every move. DTC brands, retailers, and large companies find the agency’s analytics and marketplace support especially helpful. Campaigns become measurable and repeatable, so leaders see exactly how their investment translates to business results.
Which approach matches where you want to go? If standing out among B2B competitors and building trust with your people matter most, Column Five will be the better choice. For e-commerce brands looking to grow sales across more channels, Power Digital’s engine runs hot.
Ready to see how Column Five builds content systems that people trust? Get in touch.
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