Communo uses coworking to transform the agency model

Ryan Gill, the co-founder of progressive agency Cult Collective and The Gathering conference, is on a mission to provide freelancers a new model for working and financial opportunity.

Communo offers a combination of coworking offices and a membership community that provides access to numerous collaboration opportunities.

Gill said that Communo was originally created as a marketing agency for Cult Collective, but soon realized it had the potential to offer a new business model that other professionals could benefit from.

Communo’s model works by giving members access to a vetted “Managed Marketplace” of professionals. Clients are not allowed to access the network, but must run all resourcing requests through a member.

Although Gill saw that the Communo’s ‘compounds’ (its version of coworking spaces) as an extra source of income, its success have made it a vital component of the company.

“Like in professional sports—sure, there’s fierce competition—but if someone gets hurt, the game stops and all players are there for each other,” said Gill. “Teams are connected by their shared values. I want Communo to feel like that.”