In-house agencies are here to stay (but they need our help)

If you listen to the doomsday cults of the ad world, traditional agencies have met their killer many, many times in the last couple of decades. The internet was most certainly going to kill ad agencies as was social media, Google, and the advent of DVRs that can skip commercials with the click of a button. The most recent assassin-to-be, according to many, is the rise of the in-house agency.

Libby Brockhoff: Never give up on the power of good

Advertising still gets a bad rap. Millennials often view the work of our industry as shallow, greedy, and unimaginative: A bore. Older consumers suspect advertising is dishonest and unethical. "But we know this is an unfair assessment of an industry that has been responsible for some of the most influential work of the last few decades. Work that reached outside of the realm of consumerism and into our culture.

A Game of ‘Would You Rather’ with Odysseus Arms’ Jarrod Gustin

Jarrod Gustin is an associate creative director working at the “world’s most independent ad agency”, Odysseus Arms in San Francisco. He’s built integrated campaigns for HotelTonight, Barefoot Wine, and Andre Champagne; bringing a fresh perspective and commitment to design precision in everything he touches. Get to know him a little better as we pepper him with a game of ‘would you rather’.

Libby Brockhoff sheds light on one of her career ‘failures’ at 3% Conference

At the 3 Percent Conference in New York, Libby Brockhoff told attendees how she’s helping moms continue their careers in advertising. She said her agency gives mothers the chance to 'work on smaller projects that don’t totally take over their world, and do it when they want to do it' through its ‘Army of Moms’ network.

Libby Brockhoff Debates: Can Brands Actually Tell A Story In 6 Seconds?

Video advertising is typically a playground reserved for big brands with big budgets. But video is moving beyond the space it’s traditionally inhabited on digital: the viewer. With video becoming the dominant format for players like Facebook, it’s proliferating beyond pre-roll and 15-30 second branding clips.

Meet Libby Brockhoff, CEO and Founder of Ad Agency Wunderkind, Odysseus Arms

As one of the only female agency owners in the industry (women make up just 3% of agency leadership), Libby Brockhoff is the CEO and founder of AdAge’s 2014 “Small Agency of the Year”, Odysseus Arms. She has crafted advertising strategies for Silicon Valley darlings like Facebook, Microsoft, and YouTube.

‘People have a lot to offer’: Exceptional Women of the World featuring Libby Brockhoff, Odysseus Arms

Libby Brockhoff, CEO of Odysseus Arms in San Francisco, is all about breaking convention and keeping ahead — resulting in penultimate moments in creativity, culture and even world affairs.

Libby Brockhoff To Speak At NYC Advertising Week

Video advertising is typically a playground reserved for big brands with big budgets. But video is moving beyond the space it’s traditionally inhabited on digital: the viewer. With video becoming the dominant format for players like Facebook, it’s proliferating beyond pre-roll and 15-30 second branding clips.

5 Misconceptions About Saying “No”

The word “no” is my superpower.
While I thrive on a diet of optimism positivity and glass-half-full thinking, I have found that the word “no” has a healthy place in my busy life as a mom, wife and CEO of Odysseus Arms, a San Francisco advertising agency.

Recommendation Engine: Odysseus Arms' Clémence Pluche

The Recommendation Engine is Campaign US' weekly feature in which we learn about the media young people in the ad industry are currently consuming. This week, we get to know Clémence Pluche, copywriter at San Francisco-based creative agency Odysseus Arms.

HotelTonight Out-Of-Home Campaign Nominated for “Creative Work of the Week”

HotelTonight has launched its first out of home advertising campaign in the New York City metro area. Aimed at appealing to residents and visitors to the city, this is the latest in a series of major marketing initiatives for the last-minute hotel booking app, which included partnerships with the New York Yankees, Madison Square Garden, AEG and Chelsea Football Club.

Libby Brockhoff to Serve on Panel of 2017 Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity

Libby Brockhoff launched her career as one of the founding partners, and namer, of Campaign’s “Agency of the Decade,” Mother London. She was 27—and she hasn’t slowed down since. As one of the only female creative directors in the industry (women make up 3% of agency leadership), she’s crafted the advertising strategies for Silicon Valley tech giants like Facebook, Microsoft and YouTube.

Using Creativity to Foster Your Success—Libby Brockhoff

Libby Brockhoff understood early on that the advertising business is highly competitive. In this episode, she shares some of the choices she made that helped her find her place and move forward to become a leader in the field as the founder and CEO of two advertising agencies.

San Francisco agency Odysseus Arms adds three new members to its creative team

San Francisco agency Odysseus Arms has added three new members to its creative team: Art Directors Luisa Betancourt and Jarrod Gustin, and Copywriter Clemence Pluche.

Odysseus Arms strengthens creative team with trio of new hires

San Francisco-based agency Odysseus Arms has added three new members to its creative team: art directors Luisa Betancourt and Jarrod Gustin; and copywriter Clémence Pluche.

How America’s Favorite Bargain Wine Gets Great Facebook Engagement on a Shoestring Budget

“It’s kind of a legacy brand, like Heinz ketchup.” That’s how Libby Brockhoff, co-founder and partner at San Francisco agency Odysseus Arms, describes client Carlo Rossi—a wine brand best known for being plentiful and, most importantly, cheap. But if you’re looking for paid ads promoting their economy brand Carlo Rossi—which has been one of America’s most popular wines since the ’70s—you’ll be disappointed. The brand’s paid media budget is miniscule.

Odysseus Arms makes the cover of Lurzer’s Archive

Our staff unanimously supported the cover taken from an ad by the US branch of Amnesty International and created by San Francisco agency Odysseus Arms. It features stunning work by Polish illustrator and graphic designer Patryk Hardziej and was first published in the US in late 2016 with the Obama administration still in office – which is who the headline appeals to: "We are all at risk, Don't leave Guantanamo to Trump" it says.

How HotelTonight’s Logo Boosted Revenue by More Than 10%

HotelTonight has the hardest working logo in the business. The bed-shaped "H" emblem figures prominently in the company's new ad campaign. And over the past five years, the logo has boosted HotelTonight's revenue by more than 10% each year.

US Creative Work of the Week: HotelTonight Holiday Campaign

The holidays are often the one time of year when extended family have the chance to get together to catch up and reminisce. But for many people. one time per year is more than enough.

15 Brilliant Examples of Holiday Marketing Campaigns

One of our favorite parts of this campaign is that it's multi-faceted. It takes a single idea -- that we aren't crazy about some of our relatives, but can't be rude about it -- and executes the message across a variety of formats.

HotelTonight Campaign Aims GeoRates at Holiday Travelers

Nearly 50 million Americans will be traveling more than 50 miles this Thanksgiving, according to the AAA, and last-minute lodging reservations app HotelTonight has released a campaign to inspire those travelers to take an overnight detour from the family.

A Bit Too Much Family at the Holidays? HotelTonight Has a Wicked Solution for That

Not to be uncaring or anything, but family time should have its limits. Contrary to popular belief—and lots of heart-tugging holiday advertising flooding the market lately—there really is such a thing as too much togetherness.

It’s A Kodak Comeback

Thanks to some advertising from Odysseus Arms, Kodak (remember film?) is making a comeback for the holidays and beyond.

Libby Brockhoff on Supporting Other Women

Libby Brockhoff launched her career as one of the founding partners, and namer, of Campaign’s “Agency of the Decade,” Mother London. She was 27 — and she hasn’t slowed down since. As one of the only female creative directors in the industry (women make up 3% of agency leadership)...

Madeline Lambie of Odysseus Arms named one of Shot’s “Rising Stars”

Last Thursday night [September 15] was the inaugural shots Rising Stars event which shone a light on some of the most creative young talent from the West Coast of America. With 17 people - including two creative teams - highlighted on the night, the list of Stars features directors, editors, creatives, social media strategists, producers, VFX artists and more.

This San Francisco Indie Agency Takes Consumers Deep Into the Brand-Building Process

Unlike the Trojan horse built by Odysseus of Greece, San Francisco-based Odysseus Arms doesn't build something and hope people will come. "This is the neighborhood with the most innovation running through it," said co-founder Libby Brockhoff. "Nobody moves out here to have rules, so we tried to break down advertising and rebuild it for the modern times."

An Interview with Odysseus Arms Founder Libby Brockhoff

Libby Brockhoff, a partner in Odysseus Arms, said, “A tidal wave of VR work is about to wash through the industry; anyone can see that. And it’s going to be a lot of fun experimenting and learning to use the medium to its greatest effect...”

Corn Dogs Beat Down the Most Monstrous Hunger in This Ad for Foster Farms

A horned, hairy monster represents a pre-teen's ravenous appetite which, left unchecked, swells to Godzilla-esque proportions in the first-ever ad campaign for Foster Farms Corn Dogs. On the plus side, that furry freak is a beast on the soccer field (we'd pick him for our team any day!)

Director Dave Laden Builds “Appetites” For Foster Farms Corn Dogs, Odysseus Arms

San Francisco-based advertising agency Odysseus Arms brings monstrous pangs of hunger to life in the new :30 “Appetites” for Foster Farms Corn Dogs. Directed by Hungry Man’s Dave Laden, the spot shows an active young boy being thrown off his soccer game by a furry little monster, a.k.a. pangs of hunger.

Amnesty USA uses the words of kids in a powerful social film

Amnesty International uses the words of children to great effect in a new social film, part of a wider campaign titled "The America I Believe In" the organization is launching ahead of the U.S. elections. The campaign aims to take a "positive, action-inspiring approach to combating the fear, hatred and bigotry that are fueling recent worldwide violations of human rights."

Odysseus Arms Designs “The America I Believe In” for Amnesty International

In Amnesty International’s new campaign, The America I Believe In, American children challenge the idea being put forward by some US adults that it should recommence torture “for security”. Odysseus Arms has designed the campaign logo, which references the US with a Statue of Liberty motif, and freedom with its hand-written font.

Digital Media: Never Before Have So Many Been Bullshitted By So Few About So Much

Odysseus Arms is out with a new poster in their design series that we've featured here before. The agency commissioned this poster by The Designers Republic digital design guru, Ian Anderson. Entitled ‘Digital Media: Never Before Have So Many Been Bullshitted By So Few About So Much‘ — a quote from Saatchi London’s Co-CCO Paul Silburn that we love.

Digital Media: Never Before Have So Many Been Bullshitted By So Few About So Much

Known for craft in broadcast advertising, San Francisco’s supercool Odysseus Arms agency has a love for old school design; as in the beginnings of Adobe. The agency commissioned this poster by The Designers Republic™ digital design guru, Ian Anderson. Entitled ‘Digital Media: Never Before Have So Many Been Bullshitted By So Few About So Much.”

Skulls, Snakes and Warhol: Behind This S.F. Agency’s Hardcore Self-Promo Posters

To emphasize its agency tenets—and reclaim the tactile graphic arts for ad land—Odysseus Arms is building a collection of self-promo posters worth framing. "We're using the posters to raise craft level at OA, connect to our community of designers, typos and craftsmen, and have fun making posters," says chief creative Franklin Tipton.

ODYSSEUS ARMS HELPS ADDRESS TRANSGENDER SUICIDE

With Caitlyn’s blessing and using network footage, Odysseus Arms forged ahead to create a PSA entitled #WeAreClouds, launched on YouTube in December 2015. The three-minute video features Caitlyn Jenner and several children experimenting with assigned gender. This gutsy agency-funded PSA is intended to address the tragic problem of transgender suicide.

NEW PSA RAISES AWARENESS OF TRANSGENDER SUICIDE

With Caitlyn’s blessing and using network footage, Odysseus Arms forged ahead to create a PSA entitled #WeAreClouds, launched on YouTube in December 2015. The three-minute video features Caitlyn Jenner and several children experimenting with assigned gender. This gutsy agency-funded PSA is intended to address the tragic problem of transgender suicide.

Odysseus Arms: #WeAreClouds

A tribute to Caitlyn Jenner, whose influence in 2015 shed light on gender identity issues and encouraged society to open our aperture of acceptance.

Odysseus Arms Original Poster Series Featured in CommArts Design Annual

Combining San Francisco’s great graphic design history with its love for counterculture, ad agency Odysseus Arms released a series of 50 original posters. Featuring a dizzying archipelago of original designs, hand lettering, ink wash and hyper graphics, the posters represent both in-house creativity and collaborations with the agency’s favorite designers, typographers and street artists.

PepsiCo Exec Has Tough Words for Agencies

So he turned to the example set by Caitlyn Jenner, praising the way she "managed her transition … figuratively and literally as a brand." The process -- from the Diane Sawyer interview to the Vanity Fair cover -- was thought-provoking, authentic and profound, he said. "This was something that the world was talking about, and the world has continued to talk about."

Advertising Created by Listening to Consumers

Damnit, it’s working for agency, Odysseus Arms. O-Arms was the agency creating the buzz around Caitlyn Jenner’s coming out story. “We’ve told some big stories, but this one feels historic. Improving a conversation that fueled shame, lived on the cover of tabloid magazines and made a lot of people contemplate the worst—that’s why we’re doing all this.

Odysseus Arms Tapped To Handle Foster Farms’ Corn Dogs Brand

Foster Farms added San Francisco-based Odysseus Arms to its agency roster, charging the agency with the company’s Corn Dogs brand. The agency won the Foster Farms business with support from Noble People, and will partner with the group throughout the campaign process.

Odysseus Arms kicks off 50 cool poster designs

How to Run a Successful Creative Shop When Your Partner Is Also Your Spouse

Building a successful business is no easy feat, and neither is sustaining a successful marriage. Put the two together, and there are bound to be challenges and arguments every now and then. But there are a number of couples who run successful agencies together, because when two talented people with a rock-solid relationship and big ideas go into business together, things sometimes turn out great.

Odysseus Arms Work for Bruce Jenner Draws More Than Mad Men Finale

E!’s special Keeping Up With The Kardashians: About Bruce, which debuted Part 1 on May 17 at 9 PM, delivered 2.8 million demo viewers and 4.2 million total viewers in Live+3 ratings, making it the network’s most-watched premiere since September 2012.

Odysseus Arms’ new “Golden Bean Bag” Lecture Series starts with Jim Riswold

Eric Dunn joins Odysseus Arms as managing director

Independent ad agency Odysseus Arms has hired Eric Dunn to serve in the newly created role of managing director. He will be responsible for expanding the operation, refining client services and steering digital architecture.

Eric Dunn joins Odysseus Arms as managing director

Independent ad agency Odysseus Arms welcomes Eric Dunn to the newly created role of Managing Director. He will be responsible for expanding the operation, refining client services and steering digital architecture.

Eric Dunn joins Odysseus Arms as managing director

Odysseus Arms has hired Eric Dunn to the newly created role of Managing Director. He joins from San Francisco-based ad agency Duncan/Channon, where he was most recently Group Account Director. “Eric is a Neil deGrasse Tyson of the cosmos that digital media has become. He makes sense of and brings order to what is complete chaos theory for most CMOs,” says Franklin Tipton, Odysseus Arms Co-Founder.

YC-Backed Lully Built A Device to Prevent Night Terrors

Lully cofounder Andy Rink grew up with a twin sister who suffered from night terrors. Each night, like clockwork, she would experience a terrible nightmare, but instead of waking from it instantly like most kids, she had to suffer through it. That’s why Rink and his cofounder Varun Boriah teamed up to create Lully.

Super Bowl Ads Low on Testosterone, High on Cultural Awareness

Some serious creative talent from DDB Chicago, The Hive in San Francisco and other agencies nationwide will be serving up wit and wisdom in 140-character bites. Participants include: Libby Brockhoff, co-founder of Odysseus Arms...

This Website Tells Millennials Who to Vote For (If They Want Clean Power)

Are you between the ages of 18 and 29? Do you like the idea of a climate that isn’t rapidly spinning out of control because of unregulated industry and unchecked mass consumption? This website developed by an ad agency, and Stanford University undergrads wants to tell you who to vote for in the upcoming midterm elections. All “Hack the Election” needs is your IP address.

The Website Helping Millennials Cast a Vote for the Earth

As the midterm election nears, political groups are ramping up efforts to get the vote out–specifically among the youth. Among them is a group of Stanford University students, artists, filmmakers and coders who are driving one simple message to voters born between 1981–1996: “You have the power.”

The Active Agency: Advertising Firm Takes Up a Green Cause

There’s no rule that states advertising agencies should stick to advertising. Why shouldn’t they sometimes use their messaging prowess for other ventures? Think about it: Most ad agencies are filled with brilliant communicators. They are adept at reaching a specific target audience, and in getting that audience to effect change in its behavior.

Odysseus Arms hacks the election to help the planet

You know how people say they don’t vote because they don't know who to vote for? Well, Odysseus Arms has fixed that problem with a new site, HacktheElection.com. It's aimed at Millennials and was inspired by the push to help the Clean Power plan get moving in the US this mid-term

Odysseus Arms Featured in 2014 Communication Arts Annual

Odysseus Arms makes it into the 2014 Communication Arts Annual in the Self-Promotion category for their 100-page brand book.

Agencies and Brands Turn To Students for Millennial Insight

“We’re not just plugging in students into the operation, we’re trying to examine what the marketing and advertising professional of the future looks like,” said the agency’s co-founder, Franklin Tipton.

Libby Brockhoff to Speak at 2014 BOLO Conference

Libby Brockhoff to speak at the 2014 BOLO Conference in Scottsdale, AZ on October 19–21. The BOLO Conference brings together the thought-leaders and change-makers of the agency world. Experience authentic connections, audacious speakers, actionable ideas, and a helluva good time.

Top 10 Agencies for Startups

There are very few agencies that wouldn't jump at the chance to land a blue chip brand – a well-recognized and successful company that maybe needs a brand refresh or a new campaign to boost its Q4 sales. This is the gold standard for many eager, young agencies.

Libby Brockhoff and Franklin Tipton to judge in
2014 AICP Awards

Franklin Tipton to serve on the judging panel for the 2014 AICP Next Awards, held in San Francisco on September 8, 2014.

Odysseus Arms Wins Gold at Small Agency Awards

The ‘road less traveled’ has proven to be paved with gold for San Francisco ad boutique Odysseus Arms – a winner at AdAge Small Agency Awards 2014. Winning Gold for a Nationals agency sized 1–10 employees, the 9-person shop has become a go-to creative powerhouse for huge brands like Microsoft, Coca-Cola, YouTube, Ubisoft and Capital One.

Offbeat, Powerful Tactics Such as Mandatory
Gaming Win Odysseus Arms Small Agency Gold

The ‘road less traveled’ has proven to be paved with gold for San Francisco ad boutique Odysseus Arms – a winner at AdAge Small Agency Awards 2014. Winning Gold for a Nationals agency sized 1–10 employees, the 9-person shop has become a go-to creative powerhouse for huge brands like Microsoft, Coca-Cola, YouTube, Ubisoft and Capital One.

Egotist Briefs: Odysseus Arms

When you win a Small Agency of the Year award, you’re clearly doing more than a few things right. So we decided to pick the brain of Libby Brockhoff and Franklin Tipton - the founders of Odysseus Arms. Check out why they think small is better, why they give XBoxes to every employee and what they wished they knew before they started their shop.

Small Agency Award Winners Pack a Big Punch
with Digital Content

Recently, Ad Age announced the winners of its 2014 Small Agency Awards and boy, oh boy is it an impressive bunch! A majority of the Gold Winners have produced online videos for clients that have seen great success on video sharing sites across the web.

Odysseus Arms Hire (and paints) four new faces

The paint dries on four more portraits in Brooklyn Lamb's Detroit studio. Odysseus Arms official new-hire painter heralds the arrival of Rhonda Hall, Executive Assistant; Colleen Tajiri, Finance Officer; Madeline Lambie, Project Manager; Lisa Borden, Former Head of Planning at Arnold Worldwide. Congrats on the new hires.

YouTube Runs TV Spots, Launches Outdoor Campaign Featuring YouTube Creators

YouTube has launched a big marketing push for…YouTube. A new campaign—which includes film spots that will go on TV and on Google properties—puts the spotlight on YouTube video creators.

YouTube to Run TV Ads Promoting Video Creators in Big 2014 Push

You have to spend money to get money, YouTube has learned. Agency executives last year implored online video companies to do a better job promoting their content in order to attract enough viewers to merit their clients’ money. Eleven months later, Google is responding to that call with a big marketing push for YouTube.

Odysseus Arms adds four

Here’s some good news on the hiring front: Local shop Odysseus Arms, has announced four new employees. Josh Keyser, Art Director; Veronica Santana, Producer; Rob Salvado, Copywriter; and Peter Imbres, Digital Strategist. Congrats on the hires.

Publicis Mojo CCO/Co-chairman Craig Davis talks
Franklin Tipton

Publicis Mojo has confirmed that multi-awarded U.S. creative Franklin Tipton will be joining the agency as creative director of its Melbourne office. Tipton, currently a creative director at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, has steered several notable campaigns, including Goodby’s “Now Network” effort for Sprint. Prior to Goodby, he worked at Crispin Porter + Bogusky on celebrated work for Mini…

How to succeed in advertising by really trying

Bright, breezy, brimming with ideas and on the move describes Franklin Tipton, AS ’91, who has found his calling in a career in advertising. Advertising has found him as well, awarding him “just about every award you can win in advertising,” according to the prospectus of Tipton’s latest venture, the Dial House advertising agency in San Francisco. Dial House also lists him as one of the 10 best copywriters in the world.

How Mother Grew Up

For ten years, Mother has sought to turn traditional adland thinking on its head. Caroline Marshall discusses the agency's past, present and future with its partners. In the run-up to this interview with Mother, colleagues warn me not to be too soft. Soft? I'm positively squishy about Mother.