New Idea Agencies

psfk-conference-nyc-new-idea-agencies1.jpg 

At PSFK Conference NYC, Danielle Sacks (Fast Company) led a thought-provoking discussion about the rise of the “New Idea Agencies” - companies that are thinking outside of the traditional client-agency model and creating their own products, brands, and intellectual property to launch direct to market. The panel, featuring Robbie Vitrano (Trumpet), Carl Johnson (Anomaly), Bart Haney (fuseproject), and Ben Malbon (BBH Labs), explained how their companies’ unique business models evolved and the struggles (and benefits) of agencies becoming their own clients.

Developing IP rather than just messaging is clearly an attractive idea. Why build brands that, ultimately, you have no stake in, when you can create your own products and services, under your own supervision and creative direction instead? Agencies like Anomaly and BBH Zag have created their own brands (Avec Eric and Ila, respectively) and are inventing new ways to partner with (or in some cases supercede) clients to create new, truly collaboratively-built brands.

Great panel + a ton of great information and insight. Watch >