Novak Birch
- Founded
- 1987-01-01 in Baltimore, Maryland
- Headquarters
- Baltimore, Maryland
Novak Birch is a strategic marketing and events agency headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, founded in 1987 by the late Beau Birch. For more than three decades, the firm has evolved from a small design shop into a full-service agency offering brand strategy, digital marketing, environmental branding, trade show exhibits, experiential activations, and retail/promotional solutions. What sets Novak Birch apart is its extensive in-house design-build capability—operating from a 60,000-square-foot facility—enabling the agency to conceive, fabricate, and install everything from logos and websites to dimensional signage and complete branded environments under one roof. The company serves a diverse client base across industries, including major tourism boards like Brand USA and local/global organizations, focusing on creating meaningful, high-impact brand connections. After the passing of founder Beau Birch, the agency continues under the leadership of Owner/President Valerie Novak, maintaining a tight-knit, creative team of 11–50 employees. Novak Birch positions itself as a “one-stop shop” for clients seeking integrated marketing communications, event management, and immersive experiential design, saving time and money by consolidating strategy, creative, and production in a single partnership.
Detailed Review
History and Evolution
Novak Birch was founded in 1987 in Baltimore, Maryland, by Beau Birch as a small design shop. Over the decades, it grew into a fully integrated strategic marketing and events agency. Beau Birch passed away in recent years, as noted on the company's blog and social media, and ownership transferred to Valerie Novak, who now serves as Owner/President.
Business Model and Services
Novak Birch operates with a fully integrated service model that combines agency-level creativity with in-house fabrication and installation. The company's core capabilities span six practice areas: Branding (identity design, messaging, corporate packages), Digital (websites, email campaigns, interactive programs, animation, video), Environmental Branding (wayfinding, milestone walls, office interiors), Exhibits & Experiential (trade show exhibit design/fabrication, live events, activations, vendor management), Virtual Experiences, and Retail & Promotional (pop-up shops, retail signage, merchandise displays). All production is done in-house from a 60,000-square-foot facility, giving Novak Birch direct control over quality, timeline, and budget.
Market Position and Clients
The firm serves a diverse client base, including major tourism boards such as Brand USA, where it handled booth design and fabrication for IPW trade shows, generating significant economic impact. While the company does not publicly report revenue, its case studies demonstrate capacity for large-scale, high-visibility projects. Novak Birch maintains a strong local reputation in Baltimore and is active in community involvement, such as designing a float for the Baltimore Pride Parade in partnership with the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Leadership and Team
Valerie Novak is the Owner/President, leading the agency after the founder's death. The company employs 11–50 people (LinkedIn). No other C-level executives (CEO, CTO, COO, CFO) are publicly confirmed. The team is described as tight-knit and creative.
Strengths and Considerations
Key strengths include the fully integrated service model, decades of experience, in-house production reducing vendor fragmentation, and a strong local reputation. Considerations include limited public information on executive leadership beyond Valerie Novak, no disclosed C-suite, and the agency's size may constrain capacity for simultaneous megaprojects. The transition following the founder's death may present a period of adjustment.
Key Products
Branding
Logo design, tagline development, messaging platforms, and corporate identity packages to differentiate clients in their industries.
Digital
Custom website design and development, email campaigns, interactive programs, video production, motion graphics, and animation, all responsive and user-experience focused.
Environmental Branding
Design, fabrication, and installation of wayfinding signage, dimensional milestone walls, complete office interiors, and branded physical spaces.
Exhibits & Experiential
Full-service trade show exhibit design, fabrication, on-site support, event planning, vendor management, and marketing support for live events and activations.
Virtual Experiences
Likely includes virtual event platforms, digital experiences, and hybrid solutions for remote audiences.
Retail & Promotional
Pop-up shops, retail signage, merchandise displays, and in-store activations with design-to-installation capabilities for physical retail environments.
Offices & Headcount
30 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
- Valerie Novak
Owner / President