The Seeking State is a research-led cultural consultancy founded by Frances Croxford. We create strategies for brand and retail that are ambitious, effective and transformative. Through the diverse sources in our archive, we research every brief from multiple perspectives to expand the horizons of our clients, the sector and ourselves.
Brand Strategy
Brand Architecture
Name Development
Messaging & Tone of Voice
Retail Strategy
Audience Development
Omnichannel Strategy
Product Range Planning
Research
Brand and Retail Audits
Cultural Analysis
Feasibility Studies
Commercial Reviews
Planning
Implementation Planning
Financial Modelling
Training
Retail Training
Team Building
Away Days
Clients
Amos Rex, Helsinki
Art UK
Association of Cultural Enterprises
Buy Art Fair
Canvas, Asia
Carolina Performing Arts
Centre Pompidou
Chester Zoo
Culture 24
Galway International Arts Festival
Glyndebourne
Harrow Menswear Fashion Archive
Het Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam
Initiative of Heritage Conservation
Jason Martin Studio, Portugal
Jencks Foundation
M+, Hong Kong
Manchester Museum
Manchester Art Gallery
Ministry of Culture, Athens
Ministry of Culture, France
Museum of London
National Gallery of Greece, Athens
National Portrait Gallery, London
RIBA
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
The Box, Plymouth
The Burrell Collection, Glasgow
The Holburne, Bath
The Roberts Institute of Art
The Royal Parks, London
Tower Bridge
Turner Contemporary, Margate
Viking Triangle, Ireland
We Are Museums
Whitworth Art Gallery
Wing Tai, Asia
Consultancy for Culture, Brand and Enterprise
“We at M+ have had the privilege of your insightfulness and understanding of our vision for a number of years and I want to thank you for the magnificent work that you have undertaken. It has been both inspiring and thought provoking, the impact of this work
we have done together continues.”
Suhanya Raffel, Executive Director, M+, Hong Kong
“The Seeking State has an empathy for
what really makes organisations tick.
The experience was more than a
transactional relationship – it was like teamwork, with well-managed milestones
and deliverables that kept us to plan. As a result, we have embarked on a 'ground zero' reboot of our whole retail operation.”
Richard Davidson-Houston, Managing Director, Glyndebourne
“The Seeking State stood out for their
holistic approach. They provided stimulating ideas and materials to help identify and articulate our future direction. Our team
still refers to their research when evaluating new projects and developing digital content. Their approach helped us to get to the heart
of our organisational mission in a way that
brought us together as a team, aligned the organisation’s work and paved the way
for a robust and exciting future.”
Kate Davies, Director, Roberts Institute of Art
“It was clear from the start that The Seeking State would take us to new frontiers and open up new possibilities. Our entire organisation feels more cohesive and collaborative as a result of working with Frances and her team. Everyone says that they feel heard and understood, and remarked how engaging, productive, and insightful the process has
been. The Seeking State's ability to synthesise information and come back with structured, clear and meaningful directions is striking.
The experience has been a tremendous joy.”
Alison Friedman, Executive and Artistic Director, Carolina Performing Arts
“The Seeking State is a company that
directors and key stakeholders sit up and
listen to. Thought provoking content,
intensity and passion for culture.”
Michael Wright, Commercial Operations Manager, The Burrell Collection, Glasgow
“From the moment we began the project we were absorbed in The Seeking State’s enthusiasm, energy and the need to strive for bigger and more challenging ideas. The end result has set us on a new commercial journey which has not only inspired the team throughout the organisation but has also provided a new sense of togetherness. The whole experience has been transformational
in how we think and behave.”
Dominic Strange, Commercial Director, Chester Zoo
“The Seeking State’s unique approach of
in-depth research, analysis and intelligent assessment across all aspects of the project, was both creative and professional. They continuously surprised and inspired us.”
Quincy Leon, Head of Brand Licensing, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
“The work we undertook with The Seeking State was incredibly valuable. The advice we received was astute, and the presentation and quality of the finished report was outstanding. It is a document I still keep on my desk several years later to refer back to for inspiration.”
Camilla Stewart, Head of Commercial Programmes and Collection Partnerships, Art UK