1989
Steve Rosa lands his first client for (add)ventures in the men's room! Rosa was washing his hands in a restroom at a Chamber of Commerce function in Providence when he overhears two men bemoaning the fact that they might have to cancel an event they had planned. Understanding that the challenge facing these men was marketing-related, Rosa takes the plunge and steps in to offer up a solution. The conversation moves from the restroom to a more traditional venue over coffee, where Rosa signs up his very first client.
1992
Steve Rosa moves (add)ventures from Boston to his homecity of Providence - despite the advice of friends and family. He settles into a small Providence office on Federal Hill at the intersection of West Exchange and Bradford streets. While others can't see past the fact that Rhode Island is reeling from a credit union crisis and that Providence is in a state of urban decay, Rosa sees potential. He begins immersing himself in the community by joining chambers and serving on non-profit boards, and "thinks big." Working ardently and sleep-deprived, Rosa and a freelance designer work "creative magic" from cheap computers and begin generating big results.
1999
(add)ventures starts its trusted relationship with CVS Caremark and Rosa officially assembles his core "Dream Team" - Mary Sadlier/EVP, Chief Strategy Officer; Wayne Vieira/SVP, design & branding and Tracy Silva/SVP, quality & production. The team continues to lead the firm today.
2001
(add)ventures lands a spot in the Inc. 500 as one of the fastest growing companies in the nation. The firm would later be honored by Inc. magazine four more times for its remarkable growth.
2005
(add)ventures is recognized by the Initiative for a Competitive City (ICIC) and Inc. magazine's Inner City 100 as one of the fastest growing inner city companies in the United States. The award places (add)ventures among a select group of America's most promising businesses that have the foresight to build companies in urban areas. (add)ventures is the only company in Rhode Island to receive this prestigious honor. The firm experienced more than 210% growth during the 5-year evaluation/measurement period for the 2005 list.
2008
The official rebranding of the agency is launched. Previously known as Advertising Ventures, it is at this point that the firm becomes (add)ventures to better reflect the agency's aligned dynamic disciplines: marketing, branding, interactive, public relations, advertising, video/animation, and corporate, cause and employee communications.
(add)ventures opens Miami office to expand global reach.To build on its continued growth and expansion, (add)ventures opens a new Latin America Gateway office in the heart of South Beach on Lincoln Road in Miami, Fla. The new office focuses on helping new and existing clients transcend language and culture through multidisciplinary, multicultural brand communication solutions.
(add)ventures moves to (add)ventureland, its new, expanded and innovative headquarters at 117 Chapman Street in the emerging and burgeoning Harborside District of Providence. On the corner of Allens Avenue and Chapman Street, (add)ventures headquarters reflects the evolution of the firm into a multinational strategic and creative consultancy. (add)ventureland is twice the size of the firm's former space and features a proprietary Collaboratory ideation and hospitality function space; the Causeway, a social impact gallery; Cinco Bistro, a multicultural taste test kitchen; (add)motion, an expanded high definition production and editing studio; and South Beach, a rooftop terrace and homage to our Latin America Gateway office in Miami, Fla.
2009
Experiencing unprecedented growth, (add)ventures hires Joe Miech as chief operating officer. With an expanded Providence headquarters, a new Miami office and a growing staff, (add)ventures kicked off 2009 by also expanding its management team. The firm hired Joe Miech to oversee operations, strengthen its procedures and organizational planning, and help implement the firm’s strategic global expansion. Prior to joining (add)ventures, Miech was the third highest-ranking member of the Rhode Island State Police, where he served as chief administrative officer. Miech earned his bachelor’s degree from Roger Williams University and a master’s degree from Salve Regina University. He is also a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island.
(add)ventures Miami moves to Coconut Grove. In 2008, (add)ventures opened its Latin America Gateway office in Miami. By 2009, the team was moving into a new, expanded location in Coconut Grove. The new office puts (add)ventures closer to clients and in the heart of business in Miami. It also connects the firm with a growing creative and technology community.
(add)ventures opens office in New York City. On the 61st floor of midtown Manhattan’s legendary Chrysler Building you’ll find breathtaking views of New York City, the skyscraper’s distinctive gargoyles, and now, (add)ventures’ newest office. With an expanding staff, new client partners in the New York area, and a growing portfolio of work in the entertainment industry, opening (add)ventures New York City was a natural next step for the firm.
