The Great Agency Adventure
Hello. My name is Steve Taylor and I’m a Copywriter. On December 1st, I set out on a 14-month journey across the United States dubbed The Great Agency Adventure. Plying my craft at a new agency every month, my goal is to discover what it means to be a creative in this crazy world we call advertising. Focusing on each city’s individual culture, as well as the people I meet and things I experience, I compile the newfound knowledge on my project’s website.
I kicked off the adventure in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio before hopping a 13-hour train ride to Boston in January. From there I ventured a few hours south to a place I called home for four years, New York City. That’s what led me to my current residency at We Are Social.
My first week here was eye opening to say the least. When I first heard of We Are Social, I wasn’t sure what to expect. After all, they’re unlike any other agency I know of. Sure, they focus on social (it’s in their name), but that’s only a starting point, as they then blend it with PR, marketing and digital to create innovative, engaging and effective communications.
Although their NYC office opened in 2012 and now has a team of almost 50 people, We Are Social still maintains the enthusiasm of a start up. Perhaps it’s the layout of the office or the youthful exuberance of the team, but I instantly felt a buzz the moment I walked in the door. And from what I’ve seen thus far, that energy translates directly into the work they’re doing here as well.
Whereas a traditional agency strives to create a consistent experience across TV, web, radio and print; We Are Social focuses on building a more immersive experience across social and all of its peripheral mediums. That’s what makes this place so unique.
They understand that it’s not about pushing a brand’s identity into yet another space. It’s about building lasting relationships with customers and turning those customers into a community of brand evangelists. In order to accomplish that, you have to create dialogue and actually listen to the people you’re engaging with.
I’ve already learned a great deal in the first week alone and it’s so interesting to see how in-depth social can truly be. I’ve worked on social campaigns in the past, but nothing to extent of what they do here. Needless to say, I’m thrilled to be here and know this trend of great agencies is sure to continue as the project moves forward.