creads

About creads

Creads operates as an online marketplace for creative services, connecting businesses with a global network of freelance talent. The company was founded in France in 2008 by Julien Mechin and Ronan Pelloux. The idea originated from their own experience while studying at ESCP Europe; they needed a logo for a project but found it difficult to connect directly with a designer without incurring high agency fees. This personal challenge highlighted a market gap and led them to establish a platform to facilitate direct interaction between clients and creatives.

The firm's business model is centered on a crowdsourcing and tendering process. Clients post projects for creative services, and the community of over 50,000 freelance designers can then submit their proposals. This model provides clients with a multitude of design concepts from individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds and creative perspectives. Creads primarily serves a wide range of clients, from small businesses to large corporations, with reports indicating that 80% of the French CAC 40 companies have utilized their services. The company generates revenue by taking a commission on the transactions mediated through its platform.

Creads offers a comprehensive suite of creative production services. These include graphic design, web design, copywriting, video production, motion design, and the development of brand identity elements like logos, names, and slogans. The platform is designed to streamline the creative workflow, allowing clients to manage projects, provide feedback, and access final files efficiently. One of its key features is a standardized pricing structure, where each service has a fixed price, offering clients cost and deadline control. By 2012, the platform had surpassed 200,000 posted projects and by 2013, it had grown its designer community to 50,000 subscribers. The company has also expanded its offerings to include 'Creads Partners,' a collaborative platform for clients, and 'Creads International,' which connects brands with designers globally.