ThinkNW Rebrands to NextNW, Marking a New Era for the Northwest Marketing Community

Service area also expands, adding Alberta and Montana

Since its inception in 2021, ThinkNW has focused on advancing the impact of bold creative thinkers in the Northwest. Today, the organization furthers that mission with a new brand name and identity: NextNW.

The change is effective immediately. 

Created by designer Jack Moran, the bold new look is filled with motion and regional clarity. Since the organization’s original change from the Portland Advertising Federation (PAF), NextNW has grown substantially in membership, partnerships, social audience, content and learning. 

“We have a 120-plus year heritage, starting with the Oregon Advertisers Club, then PAF. Telling the Northwest marketing industry story across multiple platforms—both digitally and in person—has been a great opportunity to evolve,” says Doug Zanger, NextNW board president. “We’ve seen significant, organic growth in audiences and consistently receive feedback on what members and this industry needs to thrive.”

Additionally, NextNW has created new annual traditions through its Cascadia Creative Awards (CCA), golf tournaments, topic-centric summits, happy hours and more.

“The Northwest creative community came together last June for the CCA,” Zanger says, noting that over 200 people attended the inaugural awards ceremony. “And building relevant summits in 2025 around AI, sports marketing and gaming set the region up to build a global reputation in thought leadership.” 

According to NextNW board president Doug Zanger, the organization has been considering the change over the past year to more accurately reflect the region’s forward-thinking sensibility and ethos.

“We are incredibly grateful to ThinkLA for partnering with us in the first phase of our growth post-PAF,” says Zanger, referring to the original partnership with the Los Angeles-based organization. “Over time, and through a lot of feedback from members and the community, it was clear we had an opportunity to create a more permanent, best-in-class home for the Northwest marketing and creative industries.” 

With that in mind, NextNW has extended its service area, adding the Canadian province of Alberta and the state of Montana in addition to its current footprint in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia, and Alaska. 

Starting on Monday, December 23rd, several other operational and strategic announcements will be made in addition to the brand name change.