The independent agency world — news, work, people and thinking.
Featured Indie Op-Ed
Advertising’s Most Expensive Problem Happens Well Before We Make Anything
We've built a creative process that separates the thinking from the making. And it's costing us.
-
Introducing BrandAPI: A New Way to Think About Find-ability in the Agentic Age
The BrandAPI is a concept, not a thing you build.
-
Your :15 Is Playing to an Empty Couch
AI-generated search answers have ended the paid placement journey before the first impression and killed publisher revenue. It's time to…
-
The Originality Tax: Why Instagram’s New Update Is A Bill For Imitators
The new algorithm is a foreclosure on the imitation-first model.
-
The 15% Tax: Why A&G Declared Independence From the Hour
Andrew Graff argues that hourly billing quietly drains agency energy — and that indies, not holding companies, have the leverage…
-
Don’t Chase the Future. Shape It. – The Rise of Mid-America
Zac Pritchett, TRG's Chief Development Officer makes the case for mid-market, and middle America as a marketing growth area.
-
When Creators Become the Strategy
Fohr CEO James Nord on why 'unexpected' replaced authenticity as the bar brands have to clear.
-
It’s Not ‘Which Agency?’ It’s ‘Who Are My People?’
Learning the new competitive advantage
-
Stop Romanticizing Podcasting: What You Actually Need To Consider Before You Hit Record
Sure, anyone can do it. But should you?
-
In a Recession, Consumer Caution Isn’t a Crisis—It’s a Blueprint
Why brands that lead with product value win when the economy tightens
-
1 in 4 Cannes Wins Went Indie. The Better Story Is What Comes Next
The growing sense of belief, clarity, and earned confidence matters
-
Did INNOCEAN Just Make the One of Moves of the Year So Far?
Lee Maicon is heading to California, and the indie world keeps getting more interesting
-
PR is Dead. So I Started a PR Agency. Go Figure.
Welcome to Strategic Visibility
-
Fast. Focus. Firepower. What Brand Marketers Should Demand in 2025
Because quick isn’t enough if it’s not focused
-
Standing Out in a Sea of Sameness: How Grenade Broke Through the Canadian Protein Bar Market
UK's #1 breaks in and breaks out
-
Baubles, Bangles and Doodads: The Strategy of Ornamentation
It's a good one!
-
From ‘Eh, OK’ to ‘Not Very Good’ to ‘Unlistenable.’ Where Are All the Ads?
The pressure to sell, sell, sell, squashes good work
-
To the Young Bucks: A Story About Age
Some sage advice.
-
Adapting to a New Agency Order Needs Collective Thinking
A 'we' mindset will be imperative for indies to survive and thrive.