Apparently Mischief has declared their first five years officially dead — though the body was “reconstructed after freak hot tub accident in Cannes,” which presumably explains both the timing and the dramatic resurrection metaphor. The agency is also hosting a Cannes panel about being brave with Tubi’s CMO and Ad Age, exploring how to take creative risks in risk-averse times. Meanwhile, Indie Agency News members are tackling everything from AI’s impact on creative roles to campaigns that challenge beauty industry double standards with refreshing directness.
🤖 The Great AI Reckoning
Brands are picking sides, and writers are updating their résumés
Buntin shared insights on AI’s rapid industry reshaping, noting that Duolingo has cut human writers in favor of AI, which presumably explains why the owl is getting sassier but less nuanced. Vaynermedia caught LinkedIn quietly rolling out a For You tab on the home feed, apparently deciding we all needed more algorithmic curation in our professional lives. Oberland is celebrating their E.L.F. Beauty “So Many Dicks” campaign making the Glass Lion shortlist at Cannes — first Titanium, now Glass, proving that calling out beauty industry double standards with anatomical directness resonates with juries.
🎪 Pre-Cannes Positioning
Everyone’s got a panel, a party, or a point to prove
Trade School had their Executive Director of Creator Marketing featured in Ad Age’s Creator Economy Roundtable, sharing insights about the creator ecosystem evolution. Special Group US welcomed three new team members including a former Lego and LVMH creative, which probably means they’re building something luxurious brick by brick.
🎨 Creative Excellence and Recognition
From Broadway celebrations to beauty industry call-outs
Xpedition is standing with AANHPI Broadway during Tony Awards weekend, celebrating the theatremakers who shape the industry. PB& unveiled their summer hat-trick campaign, capitalizing on Club World Cup, MLS, and NWSL all happening simultaneously — because apparently summer is now soccer’s season. Chameleon Collective celebrated World Environment Day by showcasing how they helped the world’s largest environmental company go paperless, which feels like the kind of irony that writes itself.
💡 Strategic Pivots and Purpose
From reflection-based transformation to temperature-triggered telephony
Clever Creative believes real brand transformation starts with reflection and self-awareness, taking a human-first approach that presumably means fewer PowerPoints and more actual conversations. Preston Spire participated in a 4As and Resonate panel about values-driven approaches, with special recognition for Victor Kimble’s “electric fashion sense” and insight about values driving value. Awestruck introduced their Manager of Paid Media who’s mastering ad performance for multiple clients, presumably making media dollars work harder than ever.
🎯 Campaigns That Count
From Portland pride to festival celebrations
Portland State University’s School of Business is hosting “Celebrate Today & Plan for Tomorrow” for recent and soon-to-be grads, because apparently career planning needs both celebration and strategy. Karsh Hagan shared memories of sunny ski days at Arapahoe Basin, proving that agency culture includes both work and proper Colorado mountain time. Back Pocket Agency had their Chief Strategy Officer and VP of Marketing devise a new content strategy, executed with multiple content creators because apparently it takes a village to pocket success.
🌟 Talent Moves and Milestones
Indies are attracting top talent and celebrating achievements
FIG announced Justin Billingsley joining as Partner and Chief Brand Officer, bringing his Publicis Groupe experience to the independent shop. Highdive is celebrating Jersey Mike’s winning Best of Show at the Radio Mercury Awards, proving that the magic of radio still strikes gold. The agency also welcomed their Springboard interns, making the office “a whole lot brighter” with fresh talent and perspectives.
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Doug Zanger is the founder and editor-in-chief of Indie Agency News. He is also the founder of the Creative Bohemian consultancy, lives in the Pacific Northwest and is insufferable about it.
