The Next Wave — even the name looks different than those of our local competition. Nothing against Goodby & SilversteinWieden + KennedyWongDoodyCrispin, Porter & Bogusky, or TBWA Chiat/Day, but if you are to build someone else’s brand, can’t you come up with something more original for your own brand than your last names?

So, how dare this small midwestern agency compare itself to the gods of advertising? Well, when you get right down to it, they all started out as two guys (hence the names) and a stolen client from their previous employers (Chiat/Day being different, a merger of two small shops that both started with stealing a client).

Well, we didn’t steal any clients from former employers. Nope, we didn’t even show work that was done somewhere else and say it was ours — this was a start-from-scratch, do-it-the-hard-way from the beginning.

Image of front of The Next Wave brochure

Click on the above link if you want to download and read an old school brochure

Because we had a different vision: The Next Wave is here to help people stay ahead of the competition, not abreast of it. We actually study marketplaces and people and buying habits, and we create a brand experience that is bigger than just advertising. We do it by finding honest positions that our clients can own and that set them apart from the standard price-and-product, dog-eat-dog world of mediocre advertising that tries to sell something rather than build value in the consumer’s mind and the client’s balance sheet.

Peter Drucker said a business has only two things to offer: marketing and innovation. We are here to help you with both.

From being one of the first all-Macintosh agencies (we started with a 512K fat Mac and a Laserwriter II) to becoming the first in Dayton to do completely digital video production, we have practiced what we preached: integrating the Internet into projects. We didn’t do this to be “cutting edge,” but because it makes more sense to deliver bits over bit streams than to use atoms (paper) to deliver information in a pertinent and timely matter.

Since 1988, we’ve managed to build a body of work that is recognized throughout the area. It has won us a lot of awards, but what’s more important is that it has worked for our clients.

We work within budget, we deliver on time, and we sweat bullets to do the best possible job for our clients so they can be successful.

We hope you look at our work and realize that Chiat/Day spends more on 15 seconds of a Taco Bell commercial (a client they lost - remember the Chihuahua?) than we bill in an entire year. But if you want to spend that kind of money, we can hook you right up.

Enjoy our site. We think we’ve built a pretty good presentation of how we’ve helped others make honest approaches to their customers. Call if you’d like to sit down for a no-cost, no-obligation discussion about how to sell your product or service. It will be the most interesting discussion you can have about your business, trust us. If you want a crib sheet for that discussion try this pdf.

Either call: 937.228.4433 x2 to talk to David, or email [email protected]

Hours: M-F 9am to 6pm
Address: 100 Bonner St. Dayton Ohio 45410 USA
Phone: 937-228-4433

And if you are looking for the best advertising agency in Dayton Ohio, The Next Wave should be on your list of ad agencies in Dayton Ohio

What our favorite people say about us

The Next Wave IconThe Next Wave

100 Bonner Street, Dayton

5.0 66 reviews

  • Avatar Denise Moore ★★★★★ 2 months ago
    The Next Wave was very responsive and helped me tremendously with my campaign splash. They offered guidance- and sound advice which helped me win my elected seat. Their prices on printing, design, and video-graphic services were great. I received many … More positive comments on my materials and video commercial. I highly recommend The Next Wave to anyone who wants quality work, great service, and who would like help and guidance in refining their message to resonate with their audience. Thanks again, it was a pleasure working with you.
    Denise Moore
  • Avatar james Pate ★★★★★ 6 months ago
    The Next Wave, is the best full serve design house in the city of Dayton, Oh, bar none. The high quality of start to finish service is unmatched and we are very fortunate to have this business in Dayton.
  • Avatar leslie sheward ★★★★★ a year ago
    Next Wave is a very creative company with the goals of the client first. As a community leader our neighborhood association is always impressed with The Next Wave quality of work, and the quick turnaround in getting our order back to us. It doesn't … More matter how large or small the order is the same level of service is given to each order. Everyone should keep in mind support our local business and above all support veteran own business that supported us in defending our country
  • Avatar Larkin Vonalt ★★★★★ a year ago
    We have used The Next Wave for printing and marketing services for over a decade. The work done for us has always been of excellent quality, produced quickly and at a reasonable cost. Even when the firm has been engaged in massive, more important projects … More than ours, they always take the time to make us feel like we are their most essential client. And we love the dogs.
  • Avatar Kim Schinder ★★★★★ 10 months ago
    The Next Wave a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business has for many years assisted the non profit for which I serve as the current 1st VP, one of my duties being responsible for keeping the IT stuff on track. They help us manage our website, communication … More through emails and website links, and events management. The staff and the owner are quick to respond to any problems which occur and have given me much needed guidance for related issues. I am not an expert at IT and their patient, informative help has allowed me to keep up with our non-profit's needs regarding the website and emails. As our non-profit has a military and veteran focus, a big plus is that the company is very community service oriented with an emphasis on veterans and military concerns. And last, but not least for me, is that they maintain an attitude of good cheer and friendliness. With The Next Wave staff support, I know whatever problem arises will be quickly and fully addressed. Many thanks from me.
  • Avatar Gateway Cathedral ★★★★★ a year ago
    Next Wave created T-Shirts for our annual summer camp. The quality was some best we’ve had over recent years. They communicate after hours, and are always willing to work within the tight budget we’re usually working with as a church. Thanks Next Wave! … More
  • Avatar David B ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    I liked everything I found at the Next Wave. The lights don't go out at 5 o'clock they worked until the job was done. Taking a concept I had with scraps of text and a few odd photos and bringing order to chaos, the Next Wave brought it to life … More in a way I could not have done myself. Far better than I could have imagined.
    The people at the Next Wave understood how to communicate my message better than I did. The turn around time was fast, the pricing was fair, the working relationship was no nonsense and the message delivery was spot on. It was an excellent experience and I can't thank them enough. Easy review because they are good. 5 stars.
  • Avatar Twist Cupcakery ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    The Next Wave is awesome! They make all of our business labels and they are always prompt (even when I have impossible deadlines they get it done), professional and competitively priced! If you have marketing needs, they have the solution! I wish I could … More give more than 5 stars! Also, it is always wonderful being able to support another small local business!
  • Avatar Jen Kuhn ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    Hiring The Next Wave has been the best business decision I've made since starting my new business. They are a team of creative, innovative, dedicated people that work hard to understand my business in order to help me push far beyond the status quo. … More
    I've worked with other agencies and can say with confidence: The Next Wave is the most innovative team you'll ever meet. They will create something for you beyond what you'd imagine. They will move you to a place of distinction amongst your peers.
    Worth. Every. Penny.
  • Avatar Phillip Neumann ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    I guess I'm one of many singing the praises of David and his team at Next Wave. I recently contacted him about producing some flyers for our neighborhood Holiday Light Off and he knocked it out of the park. Top-notch communication/response time … More and the finished product far exceeded my expectations. And practically next day delivery to boot!
    David took my doodles and made a masterpiece while staying true to my original intent. The Next Wave - diligent with the big and the small.
    Thanks a million!
  • Avatar David Lawrence ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    The Next Wave has a team of marketing and graphics experts that can distill complex issues and make them easily readable and understandable for your particular audience. They want to everything about your company or product so they can provide constructive … More feedback and ask probing questions that will enhance the quality of the finished product.