Mission North is a San Francisco-based strategic communications agency focused on technology, AI, biotech, financial services, sustainability, climate, energy, and life sciences. The agency provides strategic communications, earned media, digital marketing, paid social, content marketing, social media and influencer programs, data and analytics, public affairs, executive thought leadership, and creative production. It is led by co-CEOs Bill Bourdon and Tyler Perry. The firm is independent and employee-owned. Mission North publishes the Brand Expectations Index, its annual research on stakeholder trust, accountability, and brand expectations.
This profile summarizes the firm's history, ownership, services, leadership, recognition, and Everything-PR coverage.
Founded: 2003 as Bateman Group by Fred Bateman
Rebranded: February 2020 to Mission North
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
Co-CEOs: Bill Bourdon and Tyler Perry
Headcount (reported): Approximately 87 across San Francisco, New York, and Portland, Oregon (per company materials)
Revenue (reported): Approximately $15–17M annually (per company materials)
Ownership: Independent and employee-owned (post-2020 transition)
Signature research: Brand Expectations Index — annual research, third edition released February 2026
Website: missionnorth.com
Overview
Mission North is a strategic communications agency serving technology and innovation companies. The firm integrates earned media, digital marketing, social media, content, and analytics. The firm publishes the Brand Expectations Index — annual research on stakeholder trust, accountability, and brand expectations — now in its third edition (February 2026). The Index is the firm's stated signature intellectual property and informs its client counsel.
History and Ownership
The agency was founded in 2003 as Bateman Group by Fred Bateman in San Francisco. The firm grew over 17 years into a strategic communications agency for technology clients.
In February 2020, Fred Bateman sold his majority ownership to long-time partners Bill Bourdon, Tyler Perry, and Shannon Hutto. The firm rebranded as Mission North with Bourdon and Perry as co-CEOs. The rebrand coincided with the appointment of Nicole Messier (EVP/GM East Coast), Gillian Davis (Head of People), and Michael Andrews (CFO).
Key Milestones
2003: Fred Bateman founds Bateman Group in San Francisco.
February 2020: Rebrands as Mission North under co-CEOs Bill Bourdon and Tyler Perry. Bateman exits; Bourdon, Perry, and Shannon Hutto become co-owners.
2022: Launches Foster the Future, a fellowship program supporting BIPOC students entering the communications industry.
2024: Per Fast Company, named to Most Innovative Companies list. Per PRovoke Media, finalist for North American Agencies of the Year.
2025: Launches Public Affairs practice led by Emily Field — an expansion of corporate affairs targeting regulatory and policy clients in AI, energy, finance, cybersecurity, and life sciences.
February 2026: Releases the third edition of the Brand Expectations Index.
Services
Mission North delivers integrated capabilities across strategic communications and earned media; digital marketing and paid social; content marketing and creative production; social media and influencer programs; data, analytics, and proprietary research; public affairs and corporate affairs; executive thought leadership; and design and visual storytelling.
Practice Areas
Mission North serves technology, biotech, AI, financial services, sustainability, climate, energy, and life sciences. The 2025 Public Affairs practice expansion extends the firm into regulatory and policy categories — including AI governance, energy transition, fintech regulation, and cybersecurity policy work.
Notable Clients
Per company materials, Mission North works with technology, biotech, and innovation companies including Andela, Gemini, Honey, Motif Foodworks, and Allonnia (biotech). The Brand Expectations Index — now in its third edition — generates annual research on how stakeholders evaluate brand trust, accountability, and expertise. The research informs client counsel across the firm's corporate, technology, and public affairs practices.
Leadership
Bill Bourdon and Tyler Perry serve as co-CEOs. Shannon Hutto is co-owner and General Manager of West Coast operations. The senior executive team includes Nicole Messier (EVP and General Manager, East Coast), Gillian Davis (Head of People), and Michael Andrews (CFO). Emily Field leads the firm's Public Affairs practice.
Awards and Recognition
Per Fast Company, Mission North was named to the 2024 Most Innovative Companies list. Per PRovoke Media, the firm was a finalist for 2024 North American Agencies of the Year. The firm has been recognized in industry award programs and best-place-to-work lists.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered the agency since its Bateman Group era. For the full archive, see everything-pr.com/tag/mission-north.
FAQ
Is Mission North independent?
Yes. Mission North is independent and employee-owned. Co-CEOs Bill Bourdon and Tyler Perry, along with Shannon Hutto, became co-owners during the February 2020 ownership transition when founder Fred Bateman sold his majority stake.
Who owns Mission North?
Mission North is independent and employee-owned. The firm has no holding-company parent.
What industries does Mission North specialize in?
Technology, AI, biotech, financial services, sustainability, climate, energy, life sciences, and regulated/policy categories served through the Public Affairs practice.
Who are the CEOs of Mission North?
Bill Bourdon and Tyler Perry, co-CEOs since February 2020 when the firm rebranded from Bateman Group to Mission North.
Why did Bateman Group become Mission North?
In February 2020, founder Fred Bateman sold his majority ownership to partners Bill Bourdon, Tyler Perry, and Shannon Hutto. The rebrand coincided with the leadership transition and a refreshed positioning.
What is the Brand Expectations Index?
The Brand Expectations Index is Mission North's annual research on stakeholder trust, accountability, and brand expectations. The third edition was released in February 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Founded 2003 as Bateman Group by Fred Bateman in San Francisco.
- Rebranded to Mission North in February 2020 following a leadership transition; Bourdon, Perry, and Hutto became co-owners.
- The Brand Expectations Index — now in its third edition (February 2026) — is the firm's signature annual research.
- Independent and employee-owned; offices in San Francisco, New York, and Portland, Oregon. Per company materials: approximately 87 employees, $15–17M in annual revenue.
- Per Fast Company: named to 2024 Most Innovative Companies list. Per PRovoke Media: 2024 North American Agencies of the Year finalist.
- Launched Public Affairs practice in 2025 under Emily Field, extending into AI governance, energy, finance, cybersecurity, and life sciences regulatory work.
