Inside the First-Ever H\FC Office Tour: Known Agency with Ross Martin

Ever wondered what it’s like to work at one of the most innovative marketing firms in the world? Home From College’s first Office Tour takes you inside Known, the award-winning agency redefining how brands connect with culture. And who better to show us around than Ross Martin, President of Known, creative powerhouse, and all-around visionary leader?

From pool tables and plant walls to launching missions into space, Known is anything but a typical agency—and we’re taking you behind the scenes.

What Makes Known… Well, Known?

Known isn’t just an agency—it’s a data-driven creative force that merges strategy, media, and storytelling to build some of the most impactful brand campaigns in the world. Over the years, the company has racked up serious honors, including:

🏆 Redesigning the iconic Rockefeller Center identity system
🏆 Winning multiple Cannes Lions and Emmys
🏆 Being named to Ad Age’s A-List for two years in a row
🏆 Launching the first all-civilian mission to outer space—turning it into a massive fundraiser for St. Jude’s

And it’s not just about external recognition. Known celebrates its own people too, handing out annual awards to employees—a.k.a. "Knowners"—who push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
As Ross Martin puts it:
💬 “You can be extraordinary at what you do and still realize that every day you mess up—and you can get better tomorrow.”

The Office Vibes: A Space Designed for Innovation

Known’s NYC office isn’t just a workspace—it’s a creative playground designed to bring people together, spark ideas, and fuel collaboration. Some standout features include:

🎱 Pool table – “Both of my sons are better than me at pool, and everyone who works here can beat me—but I don’t care.” – Ross Martin

☕ A fully stocked coffee bar – Employees (and guests) get their own coffee order immortalized on the office photo wall.

🌿 A vibrant plant wall – Because creativity thrives in a space that feels alive.

🍽 Family meals with guest speakers – A space for the team to connect, brainstorm, and innovate over great food.

🌆 A terrace overlooking Bryant Park – Ross calls this “probably my favorite part of our office.”

Meet Ross Martin: The Creative Mind Behind Known

Ross Martin has spent the last five years as the President of Known, but his career has been anything but traditional. He’s held leadership roles at iHeartMedia, Netflix, Paramount, Viacom, and more—and along the way, he’s racked up some serious honors:

🔥 Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business”
🔥 Ad Age’s “Media Maven” Distinction
🔥 Fortune’s “40 Under 40” Top Business Leaders
🔥 Inducted into the Advertising Hall of Achievement

But here’s the twist: Ross never planned on working in advertising.

He originally thought he’d be a lawyer—until he fell in love with poetry in college. After publishing a book of poems and teaching at three universities, he made an unexpected pivot into marketing.

💬 “The last thing I thought I would be was someone running an integrated marketing agency.”

Today, Ross is all about spotting potential—whether in people, brands, or groundbreaking ideas.

💡 “My superpower? I can meet someone or hear an idea and immediately see the potential.”

And at Known, he encourages every team member to push their role beyond what’s expected:

💬 “What I always say to people who work here is—how can you take the role that you have, that you earned, and use that sh*t in a way that nobody has ever used it?”

Wrapping Up: Why This Office Tour Matters

This first episode of H\FC Office Tours is more than just a peek inside a cool office—it’s a masterclass in creativity, leadership, and innovation.

From redesigning iconic brands to launching space missions, Known isn’t just keeping up with the future—it’s building it.

For the next generation of talent looking for a place where they can:

✅ Push boundaries
✅ Challenge the norm
✅ Create meaningful work

👉 This is what innovation looks like in action.

🎥 Watch the full Office Tour with Ross Martin now on @homefromcollege socials!