Big In Print
Small Agency 2010
One Final Thought on the Small Agency Conference
August 06, 2010
I was energized because of the caliber of people who participated. One aspect of my admiration is that all were humble. The awards ceremony was a casual affair, almost like a family sitting around the table during the holidays sharing gifts and good wishes. It was evident that being small helps you realize there is no reason to think too much of yourself.
See Sharon Napier's Entire Keynote From the Small Agency Conference
July 27, 2010
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Partners & Napier President-CEO Sharon Napier kicked off the 2010 Small Agency Conference with an examination of what it means to be an independent shop. While it may be an "exhilarating" adventure, she said, it demands passion.
True Ad People Are Natural-Born Problem Solvers
July 26, 2010
Great ad guys (and ladies) are first and foremost problem solvers. They simply cannot see a challenge and not offer advice, ideas and insights.
What Small Agencies Across America Have in Common
July 26, 2010
One dinner down in New Orleans leads to a discussion of the challenges facing small agencies across the country.
How Small Agencies Can Boost New-Biz Opportunities
July 26, 2010
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- At this year's Ad Age Small Agency Conference reporter Rupal Parekh interviewed SourceMartin Founder-CEO Brian Martin about what small agencies can do to get on the radar of clients and search consultants. He also spoke about how such shops can improve their chances once they get in the room.
Small Agency of the Year: Pereira & O'Dell
July 26, 2010
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- While many in adland have overcomplicated their agencies with specialists, Pereira & O'Dell opts for hiring talented generalists. They maintain that collaboration trumps hierarchy, all ideas are created equal and cross pollination is key.
Small Agency of the Year, Campaign of the Year: Definition 6's 'Happiness Machine'
July 26, 2010
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Definition 6 takes the honor for Ad Age's Small Agency Campaign of the Year with an unconventional, real-world approach to extending the happiness mantra further for Coca-Cola with the "Happiness Machine."
Small Agency of the Year, 1-10 Employees: Sub Rosa
July 26, 2010
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Michael Ventura, CEO and chief creative officer of the New York-based Sub Rosa, says the agency focuses on helping brands build narratives and make connections, regardless of the method.
Small Agency of the Year, 11-75 Employees: Mono
July 26, 2010
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Founded in 2004 by former Fallon and Carmichael Lynch executives, Mono was created with the premise that simpler is better.
Small Agency of the Year, 76-150 Employees: Biggs Gilmore
July 26, 2010
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Reporting $10.1 million in 2009 revenue, Biggs Gilmore is the interactive agency of record for brands such as Heinz Ketchup, Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Pop-Tarts, Cottonelle, Corn Pops and Morningstar Farms, among other consumer-package-goods titans.
Small Agency of the Year, West: Heat
July 26, 2010
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- In the past six years, Heat has developed a formula for success all its own -- melding innovative technology from Silicon Valley, alternative-minded Bay Area talent, and relationships with clients that feel like intimate friendships. In 2009, Heat earned $9 million by working with "friends" such as EA Sports, Bare Escentuals and Yelp.
Small Agency of the Year, Southwest: Firehouse
July 26, 2010
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Under the leadership of founder and President Mark Hall and planning head Steve Smith, Firehouse weaves media planning, PR and consumer research into all its brand work.
Small Agency of the Year, Midwest: Preston Kelly
July 26, 2010
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Every agency talks about transformation these days, but, over the last decade, it's hard to find a shop that's morphed more dramatically than Preston Kelly.
Small Agency of the Year Southeast: Hook
July 26, 2010
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- When Art Director Brady Waggoner, along with writer Tom Jeffrey, decided in 2005 to launch their own agency, Mr. Waggoner knew just the guy to engage: his dad, industry veteran Phil Waggoner, whose previous roles included senior partner at Minneapolis' Carmichael Lynch.
Small Agency of the Year, Northeast: Night Agency
July 26, 2010
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Look at the work Night Agency did in 2009 for some of its major clients, and one thing is clear: The agency has a real grasp on consumer behavior.
Small Agency of the Year, Best Culture: Squeaky Wheel
July 26, 2010
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Sure, Squeaky Wheel has a loft space and a communal vibe. The company put in showers and a full working kitchen, and every Friday one of the partners cooks lunch for the office. But the agency stands out for its fiscal return to employees as much as for fostering creativity outside of the client pitch.
International Small Agency of the Year: Hot Tomali
July 26, 2010
CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- No, the Tomali in Hot Tomali isn't a quirky Canadian misspelling of tamale. It's actually a mash-up of the first names of agency founders Thomas and Alison Stringham, who started the shop in 1998. The shop has grown slowly in the years since, with recent ones being the most fruitful: The agency's 2009 revenue was $1.3 million, up 52.9% from 2008.
Photos From Ad Age's Small Agency Awards and Conference
July 22, 2010
Last year, Ad Age held its first Small Agency Awards. This year, we added a conference and an award show in New Orleans. After a day of discussing the challenges facing small agencies, attendees enjoyed networking, drinks, food and trophies. See the photos.
It's a Small World After All
July 21, 2010
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."
Dinner With a Few Small Agency Bloggers
July 19, 2010
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. Although I'd been reading their posts for years, I'd never met any of these guys before, and I wondered what were the chances of liking three strangers. Odds were one of us would be insufferable. Since you may not meet any of these people in person, I'll share a couple of observations.
