Look around at the small ad agencies in San Francisco and you’ll find that a lot of the best ones have one thing in common. Yes, great creative advertising campaigns. Yes, smart strategic thinking. Yes, meticulous execution. But how they started is what many have in common.
Given the longevity of Goodby Silverstein and Partners’ and the talent that’s gone through the place over the years, I guess it’s not surprising that a good number of ex-GS&P employees started agencies. Some got big, some got mid, some stayed small, but all have pieces of what Jeff and Rich started 40 years ago.
Those guys pushed for fresh, weird, honest, funny, smart, and quirky and they wanted the place to be a reflection of the clients and the people who worked there, not of them. So if you’re looking for a freelancer, I’d start with folks who went through that place. And if you’re looking for an agency here are the ones founded by people who worked up on 720 California St or 921 Front St before that. They are in alphabetical order, not by ranking, as they’re all great shops.
Argonaut - Hunter Hindman started it with Robert Ricardi, one of the best ad guys out there, and the place is a staple in the San Francisco scene.
BarrettSF - Founded by Jamie Barrett, ex Fallon, ex Weidan and Kennedy and ex Goodby Silverstein, the trifecta of agencies.
Butler Shine - The original spinoff. ButtShine has been doing it well for longer than all of us.
Camp King - Set in the Presidio, founded by Roger Camp and Jamie King. Roger did great work before he was at GS&P and they still do it today.
Cutwater - Founded by Chuck McBride, a great writer who also got to work under Lee Clow, so he has that going for him too.
Division of Labor - Founded by Josh Denberg and Paul Hirsch who spent 8 years at Goodby Silverstein they focus on Series B startups, tech companies and brand relaunches, plus they act as a freelance hub.
Erich & Kallman - These guys do some funny work and have grown steadily. Kallman spent time at both Goodby and Weiden.
Funworks - Founded by Craig Mangan and based on the idea that improv can lead to great advertising.
Odysseus Arms - I don’t know Libby, but I know Libby’s work and it’s good. Odysseus has stayed small but never compromises on quality.
Partners in Crime - Founded by Steven Goldblatt they work on technology brands and interactive projects while also handling production.
Venables Bell - Paul and Greg started their place with Bob Molineaux and had Audi within 4 years. Still have no idea how they did that!
So if you’re looking for a shortlist of San Francisco ad agencies, skip the pitch and contact a few of these places. Though my completely biased opinion says, start by clicking here.
#######
The Freelance Copywriter San Francisco Blog is written and produced by Josh Denberg; a top freelance copywriter, creative director, content writer and founder of Ad Agency Division of Labor. Click HERE to discuss a project.