Welcome to the indie agency equivalent of finding a twenty in your jeans pocket. While the holding company behemoths spend fortunes telling you how human they are (ironically, via AI-generated press releases), these smaller shops are quietly getting on with actual interesting work.
Our members have been busy with everything from refreshingly grounded AI perspectives to visual projects that punch well above their weight. We’ve curated the standouts that showcase what makes independent agencies so vital – the ability to blend creativity with authentic perspectives without the corporate filter.
Dive in for a thoughtfully distilled collection of work that reminds us why indie agencies continue to push the industry forward in ways both subtle and significant.
(Not seeing your agency’s work featured? Members can submit their latest work for consideration. Not a member yet? Learn more about our mission and how joining supports independent agency excellence.)
🧠 The Human in the Machine
- Five by Five Global Head of Digital Creative Alec Moors examines the pressing concern of maintaining human tone in an AI-dominated communications landscape. The refreshing take skips the alarmism and offers practical insight on preserving authentic storytelling – worth exploring in full.
- Corner Table Creative Launched a campaign for sweetgreen’s new KBBQ menu, collaborating with Cote Korean Steakhouse. The work demonstrates how AI and traditional creative approaches can blend seamlessly to enhance rather than diminish culinary authenticity – worth exploring in full.
👥 Fresh Faces & New Places
- The Program Seeking an Associate for People & Studio Operations in Portland. Unlike many agencies’ rote hiring announcements, this one actually reveals something of the culture that new talent would be stepping into – worth exploring in full.
- VaynerMedia Shares that most of their team found their way in through social media engagement rather than traditional applications. The agency’s International President offers advice on getting noticed that doesn’t read like standard HR boilerplate – worth exploring in full.
- Barrett Hofherr Looking for an Account Director in the Bay Area with a refreshingly direct call that cuts through typical job posting language. The agency invites candidates to reach out personally, suggesting a more human hiring approach – worth exploring in full.
🎨 Visual Ventures Worth Noting
- Left Off Madison Created a product catalog for ASR Motorsport that elevates aftermarket wheels beyond the expected visual tropes. The design approach demonstrates how specialized product catalogs can transcend utilitarian expectations – worth exploring in full.
- The Gerety Awards Released a new edition of Gerety Talks focused on Central Asian creativity. The visual showcase highlights design voices that mainstream industry coverage typically overlooks – worth exploring in full.
- LBRB Collective Shared insights from a conversation with Digiday’s Seb Joseph about their distinctive approach to building agency identity. Their perspective on visual identity goes beyond aesthetics to address fundamental questions of agency purpose – worth exploring in full.
🧪 Thinking That Makes You Think
- TravelBoom Hotel Marketing Released their 2025 Hotel Marketing Study highlighting the make-or-break role of booking engines and loyalty programs. The research goes beyond surface-level trends to provide actionable insights on direct bookings – worth exploring in full.
- Lupine Creative Launched a thought leadership series exploring marketing trends with refreshing candor. Rather than recycling the same industry talking points, they’re creating space for more nuanced conversation – worth exploring in full.
🔍 Hard to Pin Down (But Worth a Look)
- VaynerMedia Turning office fridge restocking into content featuring brands like PepsiCo and Chobani. While ostensibly mundane, it’s a clever nod to the intertwining of agency culture and client relationships – worth exploring in full.
- Curiosity Marketing Director Christian Jaekle shares candid advice for new graduates hoping to catch the agency’s attention. The guidance avoids platitudes and instead offers genuine perspective on what makes candidates stand out – worth exploring in full.
- SRH Founder and President Matt Sabljak takes the ‘Hot Seat’ to discuss brand fame. The conversation cuts through industry clichés to deliver genuine insight on building memorable brand presence – worth exploring in full.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
