About
We're a full-service creative digital firm.
We build data-driven digital campaigns that use your authentic story to engage, mobilize, and win. Our clients include candidates for office, nonprofit organizations, startups, and government agencies. The common thread is that each is looking to engage the public and make progress on an issue or cause that matters.
A few of our clients:
What We Do
GRASSROOTS FUNDRAISING
Small-dollar donors are the lifeblood of many campaigns. We’ll help you raise money through email and social media — armed with industry best-practices to maximize the return on your investment.
MESSAGE & STRATEGY
We work with your team to craft a winning message that reflects your authentic story and will resonate with the public. Then, we devise a step-by-step roadmap for delivering that message to the people who matter.
LIST BUILDING
All campaigns depend on building relationships with hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people. Whether it’s for fundraising, volunteering, or voter turnout, we’ll help you build, grow, and engage a robust list of targeted contacts.
DESIGN
We craft and publish engaging, on-message ad copy, graphics, and websites to make people stop scrolling and pay attention.
VIDEO PRODUCTION
Video remains the richest and most dynamic storytelling medium online. We are a one-stop shop for video development, from concept to post-production editing.
WEBSITES AND MICROSITES
Websites are critical to building trust with your audience, and in a campaign context, they are also a powerful rapid response tool.
MEDIA BUYING
Whether it’s displaying your ads on Facebook, Youtube, Hulu, or news websites, we use cutting-edge targeting technology to ensure that every dollar you invest is spent on reaching the right audience.
P2P / A2P TEXTING
People really don’t like having unread text messages. So when you reach your audience with a compelling call to action, it’s a powerful tool for getting people to donate, volunteer, or vote.
Our Approach
Our philosophy is that for digital content to matter, it needs to tell an authentic story.
We deliver results, not just metrics. If the path to victory were as simple as blasting poll-tested content out across the internet, then every campaign would succeed. We work in partnership with our clients to package their unique story into compelling digital content that motivates the right people to read, to listen, and most importantly, to act.
How We Do It
Delivery Time
We conceive, produce, vet, and publish high-quality digital content under tight deadlines. We don’t just keep up with the news cycle; we make it work to our advantage.
Accessibility
This is one of our core values. We are committed to working closely with you to build a digital program that caters to your needs and surpasses your expectations.
Reporting
We give you the unvarnished truth, backed up by hard data, so that together we can double down on what’s working, change course when needed, and maximize the return on your investment.
Every issue, every organization, and every audience is unique.
Who We Are
Michael Sparks
Michael is a Coloradan with seven cycles of campaign experience who specializes in digital strategy on Western campaigns. At Ascend, he specializes in video production, website development, and buying and targeting. Prior to launching Ascend, Michael led digital operations for Governor Jared Polis (D-Colo.), first in his Congressional office and later on his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, for which Michael directed and oversaw an award-winning digital program that received widespread acclaim. Michael’s experience also includes serving as Creative Director on Governor Steve Bullock's (D-Mont.) presidential campaign, managing digital operations for a variety of startup businesses, and working as an organizer on Democratic campaigns across the nation.
Craig Frucht
Craig is an experienced communications strategist who has served in high-level positions in local, state, and federal politics. At Ascend, he specializes in messaging and strategy, script and content development, and email marketing. Prior to launching Ascend, Craig was a long-time senior advisor to Governor Jared Polis (D-Colo.), serving as his Congressional Press Secretary and later leading speechwriting and messaging for his successful 2018 gubernatorial campaign. Craig’s experience also includes serving as Communications Director for former Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.) as well as managing digital media campaigns for nonprofits and private sector companies throughout the Western United States.
Tori DeGiosio
Tori brings creative and data-driven techniques to the Ascend team as Director of Digital Fundraising and Web Design. She has extensive experience helping progressive candidates, non-profits, ballot initiatives, and more achieve and surpass their digital fundraising goals.
As a native Pennsylvania, Tori served as Digital Director for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf's re-election in 2018, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro's re-election campaign in 2020, surpassing fundraising goals from small-dollar donations and keeping campaigns at the forefront of emerging trends.
Previously, she led a creative team overseeing the online fundraising and digital advocacy for a variety of progressive organizations, ballot initiatives, PACs, and non-profits for multiple election cycles, ensuring email list growth and health in addition to raising millions in competitive cycles.
