Number 1 for 25 times in a row

For 25 consecutive times, we have lead, and still lead, HORIZONT's CD/CI ranking. What does this mean, you might ask? This means that we continue to pioneer as the German agency with the highest revenue volume since the first ranking was published in 1997.

25 times in a row

Since the late 90s, design agencies - especially those specializing in corporate design (CD) and corporate identity (CI) have faced a rapidly evolving landscape. In order to remain at the top of HORIZONT's CD/CI ranking, MetaDesign has had to navigate significant challenges across various dimensions.

There was (and still is) the technological evolution. Agencies have had to transition from traditional print-focused work to highly digital environments. With the emergence of AI and automation, staying on top of the latest trends requires agencies to strongly differentiate through human creativity and strategic thinking, rather than just operational efficiency.

And then there was a global pandemic. The sudden shift to remote work during the pandemic forced businesses to rethink collaboration. Whilst it was more common during pre-pandemic times to rely on in-person workshops and brainstorming sessions, it was pivotal to seamlessly switch to remote work without losing productivity and sense of connection along the way. The economic uncertainty during the height of COVID-19, has led many companies to cut back on their marketing and design budgets. As a result, the emphasis on performance deepened, and clients' expectations grew to include more measurable outcomes such as increased brand engagement, conversion rates, customer loyalty, and overall return on investments (ROI). Additionally, it's now state-of-the-art to implement data-driven design processes to dispatch faster time-to-market results for branding initiatives of all kinds.

Long story short – the world is changing and we are adapting while continuing to lead.

Now, how did we as MetaDesign respond to all this?

By changing the way we work and increasing our global presence. We are rooted in eight countries, across three continents, with an expanded product portfolio. At MetaDesign, we are leveraging emerging technologies and have recognized the shift towards digital-first brands, and user-centric experiences early on. Simply addressing sustainability and ethics in branding doesn't quite cut anymore. Instead, we ensure that our client's brands reflect a genuine commitment to their environmental and social responsibilities. Driven by purpose. And our purpose is to use the power of creativity to transform business for the better. Today and tomorrow, and all days that follow.

There was a lot going since the first ranking, and it's safe to say that the storm our industry is in isn't expected to calm down any time soon. This makes us even more proud to have preserved our spot at the top of this ranking, against our strong competition. Whilst the overall economy in Germany shrank by 0.3% in 2023 and the 25 design agencies listed in the ranking reported an overall decline of around 2% compared to 2022, when viewed together, MetaDesign was still able to record a 2% increase in turnover in the CD/CI area. This achievement would not have been possible without our incredible clients, who helped us achieve this milestone. Their trust and partnership have been the driving force behind our continued success. Of course, we also owe this accomplishment to our talented and inspiring teams, whose passion, expertise and pursuit of excellence have brought us here. As MetaDesign, we always continue to push the boundaries of what's possible and we are excited about the future and all the opportunities it holds.

With over 25 years of leadership behind us, we are more committed than ever to driving success for the next 25 years and beyond.