# Michelle Adams

> Michelle Adams is the Columbus-area founder, president and CEO of PRISM Marketing. She launched the firm from her living room in 1995 at age 26, after five years at a Cincinnati agency, and built it through persistent prospecting, long client relationships and an insistence that marketing produce an observable response. PRISM has since served businesses from startups to Fortune 50 companies, appeared on the Inc. 5000 three times, and remained woman-owned and founder-led.

- **Role:** Founder, President and CEO at PRISM Marketing
- **Organizations:** PRISM Marketing, Capital University, COSI, Junior Achievement of Central Ohio, The Brian Muha Memorial Foundation / Run The Race Club
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** BA in Business Administration; minor in Professional Writing, Capital University
- **Known for:** Built PRISM Marketing from a living-room startup into a full-service agency serving organizations from startups to Fortune 50 companies., Led PRISM to Inc. 5000 recognition in 2013, 2023 and 2024., Received the Columbus Chamber Small Business Leader Award in 2008.

## Career timeline

- **circa 1990** — Began her agency career after a college internship, then spent five years at a Cincinnati marketing firm.
- **1995** — Founded PRISM Marketing from her living room in Columbus at age 26.
- **2008** — Received the Columbus Chamber Small Business Leader Award in the under-$1-million category.
- **2011** — PRISM opened a Cincinnati office to support clients in southwest Ohio and the Tri-State area.
- **2013** — PRISM first appeared on the Inc. 5000, ranked No. 1,851.
- **2023** — PRISM returned to the Inc. 5000 at No. 3,299 and received an Internet Advertising Competition award for its Two Labs video work.
- **2024** — PRISM appeared on the Inc. 5000 at No. 3,831.
- **2025** — PRISM marked 30 years in business.

## Achievements

- Built PRISM Marketing from a living-room startup into a full-service agency serving organizations from startups to Fortune 50 companies.
- Led PRISM to Inc. 5000 recognition in 2013, 2023 and 2024.
- Received the Columbus Chamber Small Business Leader Award in 2008.
- Was named a Columbus Business First 40 Under 40 honoree and an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.
- Served for two decades on the COSI board and held board roles with Capital University and Junior Achievement of Central Ohio.
- Led award-winning campaign work recognized by the Internet Advertising Competition and healthcare advertising programs.

## Latest updates

- **2025** — PRISM Marketing marked 30 years in business.
- **2024** — PRISM was ranked No. 3,831 on the Inc. 5000.
- **2024-06** — Adams concluded twenty years of service on the COSI board.
- **2023** — PRISM won a 2023 Internet Advertising Competition award for a Two Labs online video campaign.

## Links

- Website: https://www.prismmarketing.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleadamsprism
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/PRISMMarketing
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/PRISMMarketing

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/michelle-adams
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-22