Los Angeles New York Portland Houston Chicago San Francisco Denver Atlanta Miami London Milan Paris Berlin Seoul Tokyo Shanghai
Los Angeles New York Portland Houston Chicago San Francisco Denver Atlanta Miami London Milan Paris Berlin Seoul Tokyo Shanghai

WHERE PERFORMANCE 
MEETS CULTURE, INSIGHTS MEETS ACTION.

We’re a qualitative insights agency made up of

who live in the world we study.

From the streets to the fields of play, we blend deep cultural research with human-first storytelling to help brands understand who they’re serving, why it matters, and how to help them.

HOW WE FIND COMNGROUND

BORN FROM SPORT

Built by coaches, athletes, and former brand insiders, we don’t just study sport; we come from it and live it, enabling an unrivaled level of knowledge, network, and depth to help create things that matter.  

CREATIVELY SHARP

We train like athletes and think like creatives. With full-service depth and sharp execution, we turn ambiguity into clarity, and sweat every detail along the way to make complex things feel simple and serious research feel alive.

STORY-LED

From the sidelines to the spotlight, we follow the story wherever it lives. Our in-house editorial team of filmmakers, designers, and writers turn raw perspectives into something you can really feel. 

Helping you stay culturally fluent and commercially sharp, so the right ideas land faster, with less wasted time, energy, and budget.

EXPERTS IN

FIELD LOGISTICS
FORESIGHT
STORYTELLING
RECRUITMENT
CONCEPT TESTING
LOGISTICS

RESEARCH
INNOVATION
STRATEGY
ETHNOGRAPHY
DESIGNS
PHOTOGRAPHY

MEET THE PLAYERS

We’re a sharp, agile crew obsessed with sport, wired to listen, and relentless about the details (maybe a little too much). From unicycling to hacky sack, we’ve got our quirks, but the best teams usually do. We’re coaches across everything from functional fitness, yoga, dance, cycling, soccer, basketball, hockey, breathwork, and meditation.

We listen deeply
and show up ready to make sense of the world through storytelling, whiteboards, pictures, and film.

ANDY LESLIE

Research & strategy

Anton fero

Photography & Strategy

Ex-adidas & 10+ Yrs in innovation
 Can be found out on the trails

Founder of Blue House
Usually lifting heavy in the gym

Mike Rimbault
ANDY LESLIE

Photography & Filmmaking

Jamie Carroll

Operations & Recruitment

A decade capturing sport & culture
Loves a skatepark cruise

Ex-teacher turned operational wizard
Loves the spin studio

RachEl Rapinoe

Bus. Dev & Strategy

Ex-Nike & founder of Mendi
Can be found out on the pitch

marli hughes

Creative Direction & Graphic Design

Ex-BowFlex & 10+ Years in graphic design
Loves tap dancing

LOUISA LI

Bus. Dev & Strategy

khloe snair

Operations & Recruitment

Ex-BCG & a decade building Shanti House
Finds peace in the yoga studio

Recent graduate in Sports Management
Loves shooting three-pointers

Katrina Glass

Research & Strategy

Ex-Nike and a decade in brand strategy.
Usually skating on the hockey rink.

Collaborative by nature. Strategic by design. Collaborative by nature. Strategic by design. Collaborative by nature. Strategic by design. Collaborative by nature. Strategic by design. Collaborative by nature. Strategic by design. Collaborative by nature. Strategic by design. Collaborative by nature. Strategic by design. Collaborative by nature. Strategic by design.

INSIGHTS BEYOND THE SURFACE

We meet athletes, fans, and experts wherever the action lives—on the courts, the trails, gyms, locker rooms, or homes—then dig deep to understand what’s driving them.

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

  • Social listening, surveys & digital diaries
  • In-house recruitment (youth & adult)
  • In-depth interviews & focus groups
  • Observation & ethnography
  • Shop-alongs & journey mapping

We pressure-test your ideas off the whiteboard and into the field, testing with real athletes and everyday users to uncover what’s working and what needs a reset.

CONCEPT TESTING

  • Real-world concept testing
  • Rapid iteration & validation
  • Product moments of truth
  • Marketing & communications
  • User experience testing
  • Low-fidelity prototyping support
  • IP protection in controlled spaces

We help you train for what’s next, combining cultural foresight, trend analysis, and on-the-ground inspiration to build ideas that are future-ready and field-tested.

FORESIGHT & INNOVATION

  • Trend forecasting
  • Semiotic analysis
  • Expert consultancy
  • Co-creation workshops
  • Retail & trend safaris
  • Trend presentations

We cut through the noise and shape complexity into clear game plans, helping you see the field, trust the play, and make smarter, sharper decisions.

BRAND STRATEGY

  • Immersive stakeholder workshops
  • Sensemaking & visual framework development
  • Audience segmentation & personification
  • Brand positioning & competitor analysis
  • Trend & insight presentations
  • Film, photography & artifact installations

Let’s build your playbook

get started

REEBOK

The north face

fila

Field-Testing the Future of Training With the Nano X5

An Immersive Day of Movement, Recovery, Nutrition & Creativity

Reigniting a 100+ Year-Old Brand

LEARN MORE

learn more

LEARN MORE

WORK FROM THE FIELD

deep blue

Helping Shape the Future of Women Sports

LEARN MORE

Our work spans everything from exploring the future of sports and their intersection with lifestyle, inclusivity, mental health, and more, to real-world testing of the latest prototypes and marketing strategies across footwear and apparel. 

Fila Tonal Reebok Nike The North Face Deep Blue Artilect Adidas Hyperlite Lululemon On
Adidas Artilect Deep Blue Fila Hyperlite Lululemon Nike The North Face On Reebok Tonal New Balance Hoka

"COMN is thoughtful, creative and organized - what strikes me the most about them is their curiosity to learn and push the boundaries of methodology. I feel we found a partner who wants to truly learn with us. With their support, we were able to identify our key objectives & uncover new areas of interest that were initially out of scope. They have a keen ability to synthesize complex themes into digestible, shareable output suitable for many layers of our organization. Above all, they are kind, knowledgeable about all things wellness, and very easy to work with. If you want a partner to come with you along the journey, and help crystalize findings, Comn is that group!"

SOFIA, Global product lead, on

“Thanks so much for the inspiring workshop yesterday. I caught up with all my team and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the time with you yesterday. We all walked away with great learnings and motivation to implement ideas from the work you shared. The workout session and amazing food were also a nice bonus and add on to the day 😊”

Amelia, Head of Consumer Experience, Lululemon

"Working with the team at COMN has opened our awareness and engagement with hidden and untouched potential in intelligent strength. We are eager to continue co-developing new concepts with the team that resonate with our emerging new customers."

JOHN, Director of Applied Training Science and Curriculum Intelligence, TONAL

"Just wanted to send a quick note to thank you both for yesterday’s workshop. I got so much out of it and really appreciate all that you did to host us and make the experience a great one. The content around what our team is focused on currently and where we can adjust and take action was a highlight, and really got my wheels turning. Thanks for having us, it was an awesome day (ice bath included)!"

lauren, CONSUMER EXPERIENCE TEAM, lululemon

“Thanks for the great insights workshop. It was the whole teams hit and highlight for the week.”

MIKAL, HEAD OF Innovation, FILA

"Working with COMN was seamless and collaborative. We had a great vibe together, it felt like we clicked right away, with a common understanding of what this type of research can do for a brand like ours. The work was understandable for the whole organization, even down to a tangible level for everyone to use the insights in there day to day work, which was a huge unlock for me." 

TARA, svp marketing, fila

"What makes working with the team at COMN special is they understand first hand what we need. I don't have to explain our creative process and the types of teams that will use the insights, they know how to position their research and test results to hand straight over to our creative teams. Secondly, the locality of a really genuine space so close to our HQ here in Portland to test ideas and concepts, and unique access to real everyday athletes is a game changer for us.” 

bea, director of innovation, adidas

"It was the most comprehensive scope of work I have ever seen in my 30 years in the business. The work was very tangible, meaning everyone could use and implement it for the season in focus, and many seasons ahead."

Todd, PRESIDENT, fila

“Working with COMN has beena game-changer for us. Their team is strategic, efficient and genuinely passionate about delivering top notch insights. Their deep understanding of women’s sports helps us and our clients make smarter marketing decisions. COMN presents data clearly and simply, allowing us to adapt quickly. We highly recommend COMN to agencies, media executives, and marketers looking for smart, actionable insights.”

Laura, Founder & CEO, Deep Blue Sports Entertainment

The company we keep, and what they’re saying

ATHLETES’ 
VOICES RAISED

FIELD
EXPEDITIONS

MILES
TRAVELED

MIN OF FOOTAGE 
CAPTURED

0
0
0
0

NUMBERS FROM THE FIELD

OUR LIVING LAB Circle OUR LIVING LAB Circle OUR LIVING LAB Circle OUR LIVING LAB Circle OUR LIVING LAB Circle OUR LIVING LAB Circle OUR LIVING LAB Circle OUR LIVING LAB Circle OUR LIVING LAB Circle OUR LIVING LAB Circle OUR LIVING LAB Circle OUR LIVING LAB Circle

Our living lab

Step into our 6,500 sq ft training ground in North Portland, where teams come to sweat, refuel, recover, and build what’s next. This is where ideas move, bodies reset, and strategy comes to life.

Our space is designed for motion and momentum:

  • Immersive workshops
  • Concept testing
  • Custom events

For availability, pricing, or to come move with us—get in touch.

In the field or in your inbox

Your next move starts here.

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