The Impact First Communications Agency

IMPACT THROUGH COMMUNICATIONS

We’re Shape History, the impact-first communications agency built for a world where the battle for attention is fierce and real change is harder to achieve than ever.

We use research, strategy, and creativity to build a fairer world faster and deliver impact that lasts for people, organisations, and society.

B Corp Certified. Independent. Global.

Impact Intelligence
Impact Intelligence

We help organisations diagnose and define before delivery - understanding what's holding you back and where the real opportunity lies, whether that's funding strategy, operational effectiveness, audience motivations, or something else entirely. Then we build the roadmap to change together.

Strategic & Creative Comms
Strategic & Creative Comms

We design audience-first communications that meet them where they are, move the powerholders you need on side, and change the behaviours that matter. From advocacy strategy and PR to bold creative campaigns, we build communications that work as a connected influence ecosystem, not a series of standalone activations.

Brand & Propositions
Brand & Propositions

In a crowded sector where funding is in flux, fearless thinking and genuine distinctiveness aren't optional, they're survival. We build the positioning, narrative, and reason to believe that makes your funders, partners, and audiences take notice, including high-stakes funder propositions that open doors and unlock the funding you need.

Just a flavour of the impact we’ve driven…
Marketing, PR & Social Media, Purpose Advertising & Campaigns
Elevating Young People’s Soft Skills With AI | International Youth Foundation
Marketing, PR & Social Media, Purpose Advertising & Campaigns
Show The World What You Stand For | Amnesty International UK
Marketing, PR & Social Media, Purpose Advertising & Campaigns
Record-Breaking £44M Christmas Fundraising | Big Give
Purpose Advertising & Campaigns, Research & Strategy
Before Our Eyes | Amnesty International UK
Purpose Advertising & Campaigns, Digital & Tech
Mapping Climate Resilience | Arsht-Rockefeller Resilience Center
Advocacy & Influence, Marketing, PR & Social Media, Research & Strategy
Positioning Food Culture At The Heart of Nutrition Philanthropy | GAIN
Brand & Content, Digital & Tech, Research & Strategy
Fondation Botnar
Purpose Advertising & Campaigns
Bring It Barnet | North London Waste Authority
Brand & Content, Digital & Tech
ResponsibleSteel
Advocacy & Influence, Brand & Content, Purpose Advertising & Campaigns, Research & Strategy
Article 19
Brand & Content, Digital & Tech
SurvivorsUK

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What impact first actually means.

Creating change is in our DNA (clues in the name). Outputs are what we make. Outcomes are the changes we spark. Impact is what we’re focused on delivering — the enduring difference that lasts beyond us for organisations, audiences, and society. 

Impact First means starting with the change that needs to happen, then building the strategy, roadmap, and communications needed to achieve it. Every piece of work is designed to move something forward — whether that’s funding, behaviour, policy, engagement, or public support.

There are some of the common challenges we help our partners overcome:

  1. Are we solving the right problem, or just a visible one? 
  2. How do we diversify our funding and drive sustainable growth? 
  3. How do we articulate our value better? 
  4. How do we reach the right people and actually move them?
  5. How do we know our strategy will deliver the change we’re promising? 
  6. How do we stop running campaigns and start building influence? 

A global network of partners. One shared goal: a fairer world.
Stories, insights & opinions from the world of social impact