ERDS Collective was founded by Luke Hodson In 2013 as a specialist agency that places brands at the frontline of street culture through hyper-nuanced consumer insights, cultural strategy, and creative content. In addition, the collective intended to spotlight and champion inner-city individuals and grassroots communities by finding ways brands can play a more meaningful role in their world.

The foundation of the agency was URBAN NERDS, an iconic live music platform forged in London’s East End in 2007, to champion underground sounds and support emerging scenes through a series of industry-leading warehouse parties, club residencies and festivals that saw the brand break raw British talent to crowds of thousands across Europe. NERDS have been living and shaping youth culture since 07’, it's this experience that gives the company its authentic voice.

Government spending on youth initiatives and services has been cut by 70% since 2010. We believe it is brands that have the resources and means to create a positive impact within the youth communities that need it most, especially as inner-city youth are driving the cultural equity and heat for most brands.

Our mission is to help brands cultivate a purposeful connection with youth culture, focused on marginalised, unrepresented and under-resourced youth.

Nerdy about youth culture since '07.