What happens when a group of ad guys who worked together over the course of several years at a big agency on pretty big accounts decide to collectively jump ship from said agency and take a chance on themselves?
From the looks of things eight years later, the answer is “magic.”
WorkInProgress’ Partner and Chief Creative Officer, Matt Talbot, and Co-Founder, Partner and Account and Strategy head, Evan Russeack, talked with IAN about the award-winning indie’s humble beginnings at a kitchen table, how the founders’ experience at CP+B informed their current (and successful) model, and take us through some of their notable work with clients like Domino’s that’ll feel all too relatable for anyone suffering PTSD from seeing tip screens everywhere.
Read on and get to know these works in progress who are steadily crushing the Boulder agency scene, and watch the video to see how they managed to install a “Cliffside Shop” that blessed lucky climbers (mid-climb!) with much-needed apparel with 37.5 technology. It’s as bananas–and cool AF–as it sounds.
Added bonus: Evan flips the script and interviews Doug to get his thoughts on the industry and why it’s a good time to be an indie agency!
Watch the interview
Agency stats
- Founded: 2016
- Location: Boulder, CO
What the agency is best known for
WorkInProgress first made waves for their audacious “Cliffside Shop” stunt in the agency’s early days but has become more well known in recent years for becoming AOR for Domino’s Pizza (a full circle moment for the founders, who worked on the account at CP+B), Boost Mobile and Sling TV.
What the agency’s core strengths are
Among the agency’s core strengths is being intentional with its decision-making, positioning and planning. It makes a point to study clients’ quarterly earnings reports to understand their economic pressures, barriers, and goals and to establish a true partnership that informs its approach to the work.
Why the agency loves being indie
Being indie allows the team to not only do the type of work they want to do, but also cultivate the type of culture that thrives when they’re doing great work they love and are valued. The team is big on strong client partnerships and talent retention, so they’ll avoid taking on projects that compromise or jeopardize either.
Why brands should work with this agency
Brands who “appreciate an action-based approach” in their own and their agency’s business operations will gravitate towards the WorkInProgress team’s entrepreneurial spirit. Transparency, full accessibility to the team (including the partners) and the guarantee that they will be fully immersed in your business as a partner are all major selling points for prospective brand partners. They also boast a staggeringly high talent retention rate of 95%, indicating they’ve built a solid culture where the probability of work and flow being disrupted by constant turnover is slim to none.
Why talent should put this agency on their list
Talent who are as invested in their client’s business results from the work as they are in the work itself will find their tribe here. The agency’s two-day-a-week office policy offers a great balance for “assertive introverts” (like most of us at IAN).
Marketer shout out
- Kate Trumbull, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Domino’s
- Kurt Simon, Vice President, Brand Marketing, Dish Network
- Lanita Eisler, Head of Brand Marketing, Sling TV
- Katie Flynn, Vice President of Marketing, Boost Mobile
- Dave Robinson, Head of Brand Marketing, Boost Mobile
“[Boost Mobile is] allowing us to make great work, and that work is delivering the results that they are seeking…it’s exciting! [And] Kate Trumbull, [Domino’s] Chief Brand Officer, is so invested in the action-based approach with our team and with us. It’s amazing the work we’ve been making.”—Evan Russack
Learn more
- Find WorkInProgress Here
- Careers at WorkInProgress Here
- WorkInProgress on Instagram
- WorkInProgress on LinkedIn
- Matt Talbot on LinkedIn
- Evan Russack on LinkedIn
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
