Small Agency Diary

Our 'Mad Men' Moment

Revisiting the Joy of the Startup

Posted by Curt Hanke on 07.29.10 @ 01:35 PM

Curt Hanke

For Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, it was a box of sandwiches at the Pierre. For the three co-founders of Shine, it was a Perkins Restaurant in Madison, Wisc., circa August 2001. And while certainly a different time -- not to mention a very different cultural context and set of circumstances -- there are a few truisms that likely ring true for virtually any new agency. It's been said that going back to the beginning is the best way to continue moving forward; so sit back, pour a martini and revel in a few thoughts on the joy of the startup.

Major Marketers Turn to Small Shops for More Than Bits and Pieces

Small Indie Agencies Are Delivering Big-League Work

Posted by Eric Webber on 07.28.10 @ 03:47 PM

Eric Webber

As you could tell from the recent coverage of the Ad Age Small Agency Conference and Awards, the less-than-behemoth shops are continuing to have a significant impact on our industry, creatively and strategically.

No, my own agency was not an award winner this year and yes, I'm disappointed about that, but I'm not going to use this space to talk about the scourge of professional jealousy and its effect on the judging process. (For that, see my personal blog and my last 50 or so Facebook status updates.)

How Simple Was That?

Stats, Formulas and Jargon Sway Neither Clients Nor Consumers

Posted by Derek Walker on 07.27.10 @ 01:40 PM

Derek Walker

Simple isn't easy.

Never mistake simple for stupid, uneducated or uninformed.

Most of the time it is the exact opposite -- the more you know or understand something the easier it is for you to explain it in terms everyone gets.

What is it about us professionals that when we want to show how much we know, the first thing we do is kill simple? Why? Do we really believe that throwing in graphs and charts, adding statistics and formulas, and talking in a vernacular that requires a translator makes us appear smarter?

True Ad People Are Natural-Born Problem Solvers

Even More Thoughts from the Small Agency Conference

Posted by Tom Martin on 07.26.10 @ 12:08 PM

Tom Martin

It never fails. You go to a conference, and I don't care how good it is, the best session ends up being a hallway conversation or meeting over dinner, drinks or coffee. And so it was at the Ad Age Small Agency Conference here in New Orleans.

What Small Agencies Across America Have in Common

The Themes Are Consistent, and the Path Is Clear

Posted by Marc Brownstein on 07.26.10 @ 11:59 AM

Marc Brownstein

When the fog cleared after a night of bourbons in New Orleans (at the Ad Age Small Agency Conference), patterns of dialogue emerged. I was chatting with fellow bloggers Phil Johnson, Tom Martin and Bart Cleveland about the business. We quickly realized we are all experiencing the same things, regardless of the cities we're in.

You Wouldn't Cheap Out on Your Office, So Don't Do It on Your Website

Many Marketers Still Undervalue This Valuable Real Estate

Posted by Jennifer Modarelli on 07.22.10 @ 02:44 PM

Jennifer Modarelli

Our agency's area of expertise is digital, and since 1994 we have built hundreds of websites. Although some of those websites have been redesigned or sold, I am not aware of any of them "losing their value" to the businesses they serve (with the very real exception of Enron Broadband Services. Yes, we did that site.).

It's a Small World After All

Reflections on a Tiny Word That Drives People Batty

Posted by Jaci Russo on 07.21.10 @ 01:50 PM

Jaci Russo

At one point during the Advertising Age Small Agency Conference in New Orleans, the focus became centered on the name of the conference and what we should call our agencies. There was a great agenda, very inspirational speakers and some really tasty food as well, but what seemed to resonate most was the use of the word "small."

Why the Ad Industry Needs Alex Bogusky

He Respected the Consumer and Loved the Work

Posted by Bart Cleveland on 07.20.10 @ 04:45 PM

Bart Cleveland

I was saddened when I read that Alex Bogusky was leaving our industry. Saddened for us in advertising, particularly. The industry is not in good shape and losing the person that has been the most influential to our improvement over the last decade hurts us in ways I don't like to think about. Alex not only revolutionized us, he made us enjoy the trip.

Dinner With a Few Small Agency Bloggers

A Brief Glimpse From the Big Easy

Posted by Phil Johnson on 07.19.10 @ 03:02 PM

Phil Johnson

Be warned, you will derive no business value from this post. On July 14, I met my fellow Small Agency bloggers -- Bart Cleveland, Marc Brownstein and Tom Martin -- in the lobby of the Intercontinental Hotel in New Orleans. Jennifer Modarelli would have joined us but we didn't know that she was in town. We all got in Tom's white Escalade (remember this detail) and drove to Clancy's for dinner. We were in town to participate in a panel at the first Ad Age Small Agency Conference, and this dinner was a chance to get to know each other before Ad Age's Ken Wheaton interrogated us on our panel the next morning.

Live ... from the Small Agency Conference

Posted by Ken Wheaton on 07.15.10 @ 10:23 AM

Ad Age is conducting its first-ever Small Agency Conference in New Orleans today. Don't know if there'll be much time for live-blogging, but attendees will be on Twitter. Hashtag is #smallagency. Join in the fun.