Imagine was founded in 2004 by Patrick King with one simple belief: marketing should make communities stronger.
Long before community impact became a popular business phrase, Patrick was already living it. He believed marketing could do more than sell products or promote destinations. Done well, it could help organizations grow, strengthen local economies, support small businesses, and improve the places people call home.
That single idea became the foundation of Imagine.
Relationships always came before transactions.
Every organization had a story worth sharing.
Marketing should create lasting impact beyond the campaign.
Every client, every project, every community.
As the company grew, so did the number of organizations we were fortunate enough to serve. From destination marketing organizations and downtown associations to local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders, Patrick believed every partnership was an opportunity to leave something better than we found it.
He believed it was part of the job.
That's why community involvement became part of Imagine's culture from the very beginning. Every member of our team was encouraged, and expected, to volunteer in the communities we served.
Whether it meant serving on nonprofit boards, mentoring entrepreneurs, supporting local events, donating time, or contributing financially to organizations making a difference, giving back wasn't something we talked about. It was simply how we did business.
Businesses have a responsibility to support the communities that support them.
Patrick also created the Imagine Better Project , an initiative dedicated to helping nonprofits and community organizations through marketing, guidance, and volunteer support. He understood that many organizations with the biggest hearts often had the smallest budgets, and he wanted them to have access to the same quality of marketing advice as larger organizations.
He believed that when nonprofits succeed, communities become stronger.
The values that built Imagine still guide us today.
Around the office, we affectionately call these Patrickisms.
They weren't polished business quotes or motivational slogans. They were simply the values Patrick lived by every day and the culture he built at Imagine.
We still find ourselves repeating them because they're just as relevant today as they were when he first said them. More than advice, they're reminders of who we are, how we treat people, and why we do what we do.
Patrick believed great marketing wasn't really about marketing. It was about helping communities become healthier, stronger, and more connected. When communities succeed, everyone benefits.
Websites launch. Campaigns end. Relationships continue. Patrick measured success by the trust he built, not by the number of projects he completed.
Whether it was a client, a volunteer organization, or a community event, Patrick believed every interaction should leave something better than it was before.
Sometimes that meant sharing advice over coffee. Sometimes it meant making an introduction or volunteering on a Saturday. Helping wasn't a business strategy. It was simply what good people do.
Patrick believed clients deserved honest advice, even when it wasn't the easiest conversation to have. Trust was always worth more than a quick sale.
Patrick never believed knowledge should be guarded. Whether he was mentoring an entrepreneur, speaking at a conference, or helping a nonprofit solve a challenge, he wanted others to succeed.
Patrick actually said this. A lot.
It wasn't about the language. It was about how you treat people every single day.
People sometimes ask how we've stayed true to Imagine's values while continuing to grow and evolve. The answer is simpler than they might expect. I still catch myself thinking, “What would Patrick ask first?” It usually wasn't about budgets, websites, or marketing tactics. It was about people. Who are we trying to help? What problem are they trying to solve? How can we make a real difference? Those questions continue to guide every conversation we have, every strategy we develop, and every decision we make. They're part of the foundation Patrick built, and they're part of the future we're continuing to build at Imagine.
Rebecca Barnes
© 2004-2026, Imagine. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Accessibility
