Why 1235?
Because We Turn big ideas into impact.
We’re a different kind of social change partner. Think sharp consultancy meets feisty agency.
Integrated communications, digital marketing, advertising, advocacy, and narrative expertise. Senior-only teams that serve as clients’ day-to-day collaborators. Where new playbooks are written as well as executed through end-to-end campaigns or targeted support, producing measurable results and optimized budgets for good causes and the organizations behind them.
That’s the future of social change communications and campaigns.
What We Do
We design and execute strategies that engage audiences, spark conversations, shift narratives, and drive action. Not sure what you need? Not a problem. Perception audits, issue assessments, impact analyses, strategic frameworks, or an honest conversation can help you determine where to start and how we can help.
Who We Are
We’re a social change consulting agency for nonprofits, foundations, and other purpose-driven ventures. From cross-functional playbooks to spark institutional growth or movements, to social influencer marketing to reach “hard to reach” audiences, to persuasion research and digital campaigns to shift public sentiment, we help our clients build brands and increase impact through communications, advocacy, narrative, and creative strategies and campaigns.
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“Leslie played a critical role in shaping and managing Vera’s strategic and multi-faceted campaign to expand access to postsecondary education in prison, a key priority for the organization. She took a concept and shaped it into a robust, integrated campaign that helped to lift the 26-year-old-ban on access to federal Pell grants. This legislative win will unlock potential and create second chances in the United States for years to come.
She is smart, thoughtful, and solution-oriented. She is also generous—we have learned a lot from Leslie and are pleased to call her a partner.”
Margaret diZerega, Former Managing Director of Initiatives, Vera Institute of Justice
Our Founder
LESLIE KERNS is a senior communications executive, campaign strategist, and social change advisor. Her work has influenced public opinion, shifted narratives, changed policy, moved politics, and built persuasive brands. She started 1235 Strategies to give purpose-driven ventures what they need to create impact.
