Where Strategy Meets Creative Intelligence.

We help ambitious organizations figure out what’s next and bring it to life.

Selected Outcomes

Real-world results shaped by 17 years of insight, intelligent strategy, and meaningful execution.

  • Night view of a city waterfront with colorful star-shaped lights floating on the water, modern high-rise buildings with illuminated windows, and a large tent-like structure on the pier.

    Large-Scale Cultural Impact & Economic Development

    As the original creators of Light City, we led the concept, strategy, and partnership development behind America’s first international light festival, generating $111.6M in economic impact, drawing 1.3M+ attendees, and securing more than 2.9B media impressions over its three-year run.

  • Close-up view of solar panels on a roof during sunset or sunrise

    Market Expansion Unlocked

    What Works Studio transformed GreenWell Energy’s go-to-market playbook. The result: a nine-figure pipeline.

  • City skyline at sunset with tall buildings, a river, and cloudy sky.

    Iconic Waterfront Repositioned

    Baltimore’s waterfront needed a clearer identity and a refreshed story. We helped reposition this historic destination with a modern strategy that brought clarity, cohesion, and momentum.

  • A floating structure with large cartoonish eyes on a body of water, resembling a whimsical watercraft or attraction, with a city skyline and a water taxi in the background.

    Global Cultural Phenomenon

    We transformed an innovative harbor trash interceptor into a global environmental icon by creating the personality, storytelling, and social presence that made Mr. Trash Wheel a beloved internet celebrity and international symbol for ocean conservancy.

  • A Complete Brand Transformation That Drove 640% AUM Growth

    A full brand overhaul and integrated marketing strategy helped Sawyer achieve a 640% increase in assets under management.

  • Aerial Spectacle for UMMC’s 200th Anniversary

    We created and directed a large-scale drone show for UMMC’s 200th anniversary, delivering a city-wide spectacle that honored Baltimore and captivated Artscape audiences.

  • An Award-Winning Chronicle of Baltimore’s Creative and Cultural Scene

    We launched What Weekly, a Baltimore arts and culture magazine that grew into an award-winning international platform publishing thousands of stories, receiving major press recognition, and galvanizing a creative community over seven impactful years.

  • High-Stakes Public Messaging

    Amid rapid growth and shifting health communications needs, Kaiser Permanente turned to us to stabilize, streamline, and scale their social media systems resulting in major gains in engagement.

  • “What Works Studio has been instrumental in accelerating our pipeline faster than we ever imagined.”  

    James Wells III, CEO, GreenWell Energy

Explore Working Together

We partner with a limited number of organizations each year. If you're considering what comes next, we'd love to hear what you're working on.