Speed wins. That’s the pattern emerging from Indie Agency News members this week—not just moving fast, but moving decisively when cultural moments demand it. Joybyte turned a TikTok comment into a viral campaign for Idahoan Foods in the time it takes most brands to schedule a first alignment meeting. BarkleyOKRP distilled Red Lobster’s entire comeback strategy into five learnable lessons. TravelBoom Hotel Marketing spotted a 13-point surge in solo travel intentions before most hoteliers noticed the shift. This is what happens when agencies don’t confuse speed with recklessness—they’ve just removed the bureaucracy that makes decisiveness look like risk.
🏃♀️ Moving at the Speed of Culture
Joybyte showed what happens when you’re actually ready to move. TikTok food critic Keith Lee called on brands to help feed those in need. Idahoan Foods answered with Joybyte leading the charge. One well-timed comment sparked 194K+ likes, 419% week-over-week TikTok follower growth, and coverage in Forbes, Good Housekeeping, and Thought Catalog. This is what culture-speed execution looks like when the right team, strategy, and decisiveness align.
BarkleyOKRP earned Campaign of the Week recognition from Medical Marketing & Media for their “Chock’s Secret” Inspire Sleep campaign featuring The Golden Bachelorette winner. More importantly, they translated Red Lobster’s comeback into five actionable lessons any brand can learn from, shared at ANA Masters of Marketing. Real-world strategy, no fluff.
📊 Data That Actually Moves Decisions Forward
TravelBoom Hotel Marketing released research showing solo travel intentions jumped from 46% in 2025 to 59% in 2026—a 13-point surge that demands immediate attention from hoteliers. The question isn’t whether this matters. It’s whether your messaging, packages, and property are ready.
Delve Deeper had their Q4 Nonprofit RoAS Benchmark Report “Scale Doesn’t Kill Efficiency” featured in The NonProfit Times, revealing that efficiency holds steady across spend levels. For nonprofits heading into year-end giving season, this means you can scale thoughtfully without sacrificing return. The data offers clarity: effective fundraising isn’t about spending more but spending smarter.
Yes& Agency is challenging everything higher ed thinks it knows about Gen Z with new research revealing Gen Z has fundamentally redefined what success looks like. While previous generations measured achievement in titles and paychecks, Gen Z watched those metrics fail to deliver actual well-being. They’ve seen burnout up close. They’ve witnessed financial success that still felt hollow.
🎬 Creative That Cuts Through
Terri & Sandy earned a shoutout from Ad Age and Tim Nudd for their brand new Welch’s Sparkling juice “Break Out the Fancy Juice” campaign. Worth celebrating. They also welcomed Tina Lam as their new Head of Production, bringing nearly 20 years of experience across film, digital, social, and even AI-led work from her time at TBWA\Chiat\Day and with brands like Adidas, Cadillac, and Mountain Dew.
Cactus teamed up with the world’s leading authority on Rube Goldberg machines to design and build a new contraption for the Hoosier Lottery holiday campaign. While shot in segments for cinematic integrity, it was also captured as a oner—proving the machine really worked from start to finish. The kind of commitment that shows in the final product.
WorkInProgress created fresh work for Domino’s starring their best, most-loaded pizzas and Retta, bringing Parks and Recreation energy to pizza messaging. Directed by Ted Melfi in partnership with NBC.
🔧 Tools That Solve Real Problems
Red Door Interactive launched Market Mirror, a predictive research tool that simulates persona-based focus groups using real behavioral data. When focus groups take too long, surveys don’t go deep enough, and budgets are already allocated, Market Mirror gives brands early insight into how audiences actually think, feel, and decide. Fast.
Left Off Madison published “What This Year Taught Us About Growth, Part 1” breaking down how they help brands tighten targeting, fix tech, define success, and build campaigns that survive chaos. Their observation: too many teams built ad campaigns this year without clear KPIs, working pixels, or the right funnel structure—and the results showed it. They’re making sure 2026 looks different.
Chameleon Collective is reframing notifications from compliance chores to high-intent moments in their latest feature for DOCUMENT Strategy Media. Payment reminders, fraud alerts, appointment notices—most brands treat them like housekeeping. Smart brands see them as powerful levers to earn trust, reduce friction, and create confidence.
🎙️ Conversations Worth Your Time
Saylor kicked off their new podcast “This Could Work” with a bang. Marc Simons from Giant Spoon joined Will Trowbridge for a no-holds-barred conversation on entrepreneurship, side hustles, and the power of innovation. The show celebrates creative risk-taking and the people shaping the future of brands.
Legal+Creative | Toerek Law asked the right question: Is your agency’s social media stuck chasing tactics instead of building genuine connections? Their podcast episode explores why the most successful brands aren’t just following trends—they’re leading with authenticity, consistency, and genuine strategy.
💪 Work That Delivers Impact
Left Hand Agency doubled the dollars raised versus 2024 for Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, helping fund more than 1.8 million meals for families in their community. They built and executed a media strategy focused on summer hunger that drove awareness, inspired action, and delivered meaningful impact. This is what working with mission-driven clients looks like.
Raindrop helped bring Whimstay’s “Seize the Stay” brand to life through identity, storytelling, and scroll-stopping creative. Spontaneous trips, exclusive deals, and a fresh take on travel that’s all about the moment. Who said vacations need months of planning?
Broadhead created a sweet new identity for Mini Melts that’s as fun as the ice cream itself—and boosted sales along the way. Bold new look, tangible results.
🎯 Strategic Thinking That Resonates
Response Media examined how pharma’s DTC platforms are evolving beyond distribution in their piece for Medical Marketing & Media. What started as single-brand sites is expanding into hubs where patients can access education, support, and community. The real shift? Moving from transactional moments to ongoing patient experiences that build trust in ways traditional ads never could.
VaynerMedia showcased how Google Workspace has been their constant companion as VaynerX continues to grow and evolve, with their team demonstrating what it looks like to love your partners. They also celebrated CMO Avery Akkineni being featured in The PR Net’s Marcomms’ Most Influential 2025 list among other inspiring marketers and communicators.
Lewis is joining industry leaders from WP Engine and The Webby Awards for “Crafted Future: Code That Scales,” a conversation exploring how creativity and technology come together to build experiences that perform and inspire. VP of Account Service and Business Growth Katie Peninger will bring her perspective on how brands can scale storytelling with both impact and authenticity.
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