Today marks the launch of a new creative agency The Ability Machine—a marketing and advertising firm where neurodiverse creatives come together to serve brands and ad agencies. The Ability Machine is founded by longtime ad industry creative and voice-over artist Tom Woodard, best known for his work as one of the Budweiser frogs.
For two years, Tom has led On the Avenue, a non-profit he founded to serve as a community where neurodiverse individuals (referred to as Citizens) of all abilities come together to explore creative passions and find joy in their daily journey. Since opening its doors, the non-profit has served over 150 families.
The Ability Machine is a for-profit creative studio that produces work for brands and agencies, powered by neurodiverse talent. It builds on the mission of On the Avenue by creating real employment opportunities for On the Avenue Citizens, turning creativity into both purpose and paycheck.
Based in Nashville, TN, the agency will offer graphic design services for special projects, iIllustration, music, strategy and concepting, video, and audio, including podcasts and voice work. Through previous one-off partnerships, On the Avenue Citizens have delivered creative work for brands like Mercedes, Logan’s Roadhouse, and KIND Bar and Nashville organizations like Battle Ground Academy. These early projects serve as proof of concept for the creative output now being formalized under The Ability Machine’s banner.
Outside his legendary Budweiser Frogs work, Music City native Tom Woodard has also made his mark as a creative collaborator and writer of iconic jingles. The Ability Machine is officially live today with a new website and is open for partnerships and work effective immediately.
About On The Avenue
On the Avenue is a safe place where those with learning challenges can explore their creative passions and find a healthy outlet to strive for a fulfilling life experience. Housed in a warehouse in south Nashville that Tom converted into a creative studio, the space includes a podcast studio, featuring The Rowdy Riley Podcast, a design studio, a photography studio, and flex space offering additional production capabilities.
A unique feature of the space is its adaptability to the needs of Citizens, with quiet sensory rooms designed to help provide calm in moments of overstimulation.
The Ability Machine’s launch was developed in partnership with local businesses: Lewis, a full-service marketing agency that delivers business growth at pivotal moments for companies; their development partner, Ally, a full-service accessibility compliance company; and Raven Public Relations, who helped shape the studio’s narrative and go-to-market strategy.
About the brand identity:
The Ability Machine’s logo was built around the idea that creativity is collaborative, formed by individuals whose perspectives interlock. That idea is expressed through a geometric system of interconnected shapes forming a triangle.
The lines and angles represent how each Citizen’s contributions link together to create something larger. The symbol looks engineered, but suggests something that is human and adaptive. The color palette of vibrant blues gives it a confident, modern feel while remaining warm.
On The Avenue is the non-profit powered by The Ability Machine, a for-profit content studio and a social impact partner. A portion of the profits from the agency will be dedicated to On the Avenue.
The launch was made possible through collaboration with Lewis, a full-service marketing agency and Ally, an accessibility compliance company, and has been featured in Fast Company here.
