Two Good Agencies.
Different in the Right Ways.
School of Thought is a San Francisco independent creative and media agency founded in 2008. They offer brand strategy, creative campaigns, media planning, and digital marketing for challenger brands across multiple sectors.
This comparison exists to help you decide. We'll tell you what they do well, where we differ, and which option is likely the better fit for your situation. We'd rather you make the right choice — even if that's not us.
What They Offer
SF independent creative and media agency
School of Thought positions as a challenger brand agency — creative strategy and media planning together. If integrated brand campaign work with media placement is the primary need, they serve that category.
Where Sidestreet Is Different
Broadcast-trained production
School of Thought focuses on creative campaigns and media strategy. Sidestreet adds broadcast-trained video production and commercial photography in-house — from a journalism background that shapes storytelling differently than commercial advertising. For clients that need production quality beyond advertising output, that distinction matters.
PR and crisis communications
Sidestreet operates a dedicated communications practice covering media relations, crisis preparedness, and earned media strategy alongside creative and digital work. Creative campaign agencies don't typically maintain this infrastructure.
Full digital service scope
School of Thought centers on creative and media strategy. Sidestreet covers SEO, paid search, content marketing, web development, and social management alongside creative — for businesses that need the full digital program rather than campaign-level creative.
Church media practice
Sidestreet has a dedicated practice for faith communities. School of Thought serves commercial challenger brands.
How to Decide
School of Thought is probably the right choice if: you're a San Francisco-area challenger brand that primarily needs integrated creative campaigns and media strategy.
Sidestreet is probably the right choice if: you need the full digital marketing scope alongside creative, want production and PR integrated into the program, or are a faith community.
If you're genuinely unsure, talk to both of us before committing. Any agency worth working with will give you a straight answer about whether they're the right fit — and so will we.