EP+Co

29/07/2024

Curtis Rose, our Chief Technology Officer, is ready to see Adland fully adopt AI — and he won't rest until agencies everywhere are betting on bots. Get his sage advice and learn how to unlock epic creativity and next-level efficiency without falling prey to the doomsday dialogue declaring an end to our jobs now on Little Black Book: https://lbbonline.com/news/embracing-ai-4-words-and-a-warning-to-the-wise

Little Black Book, Curtis Rose, chief technology officer, EP+Co shares ways you can implement AI to harness the technology’s future-shaping potential

18/07/2024

We asked our Gen Z intern to ask The UPS Store's Gen Z intern to come up with new content ideas. (Just kidding.) But really, who says a brand known for packing and shipping can't have fun on social? Thanks to our Creative and Cultural Opportunities for Real-time Engagement teams, we find opportunities for our brands to own buzzy trends in authentic ways — and ultimately, engage with audiences to build belief where and when it matters most.

11/07/2024

In an industry where rising stars can burn out quickly, there’s something to be said for the talent that endures — talent like our own fearless leader, Allen Bosworth, whose career at EP+Co has lasted for nearly four decades. We couldn’t be more proud to see him named a Campaign US 40 Over 40 Honoree. Congratulations, Allen! Here's to a career well spent and an achievement well deserved 👏

https://www.campaignlive.com/article/introducing-2024-campaign-us-40-40-honorees/1880326

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20/06/2024

This one’s for the girls 😘 Actually, everything Summer’s Eve does is for the girls. And we’re proud to play a role in helping destigmatize feminine hygiene with edutainment like this — made 100% in-house. Head to social platforms on Instagram and TikTok to see how our creators are rebuilding the brand’s presence to empower women with content that’s smart, approachable and downright fun.

20/06/2024

Like the rest of the world, we ship Gabby and Tyler—the content creators who found what might just be love during an impromptu street-style interview for TikTok. So we helped The UPS Store get in on the action and partnered with the pair to support their budding long-distance romance. It's like Lauren Norton, our Associate Connections Planning Director, said:

“In order to drive meaningful relevance for brands on social media, we keep an eye on community conversations that have the potential to catch fire and turn into larger cultural moments—like Tyler and Gabby’s meet-cute. Long-distance relationships have been a popular conversation on TikTok for years, with countdown mashups until the next in-person hug or influencers like Chris Olsen delivering coffee around the world. They’re also a common shipping use case for businesses like The UPS Store—so what better opportunity to show support for Tyler and Gabby than The UPS Store 'shipping' their relationship? The trick was moving quickly enough to be part of the skyrocketing momentum around their budding relationship, so within 24 hours of their first date we had partnerships established with the couple and a game plan for how to Pack & Ship a long-distance care package from Greenville to Miami.”

06/06/2024

Last night at The Drum Awards, our team took home Not for Profit Gold and Creative Innovation Silver for our work with Rises on The Most Famous Speech Never Given.

Congratulations to all the winners! We're so proud to be Building Belief in a cause that matters.

05/06/2024

He’s been Building Belief with EP+Co for over 35 years. Now, our fearless leader Allen Bosworth is passing the torch to someone who promises to usher in a new era of action, consistency, and collaboration — with a veteran executive team by her side.

Learn more about Allen’s retirement and Kat Shafer’s promotion to President of EP+Co now on Adweek.

Bosworth will retire from the industry after over 35 years at the agency he co-founded.

23/05/2024

We told audiences at SXSW 2024 how brands, agencies and activists can work together to change the world. Now, our chief strategy officer, Chris Plating, is sharing insights from the SXSW panel with Ad Age .

Learn what executives and activists, including Bianca Tylek of Worth Rises, Palika Makam of Ben & Jerry's and Johnny Perez of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, say you can do to take meaningful action around potentially polarizing issues. And why it matters: https://adage.com/article/opinion/advertising-and-social-justice-how-brands-agencies-and-activists-can-work-positive-change/2561771

09/05/2024

We believe advertising has the power to change the world. And we’re thrilled to see The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas agrees. A huge thank you to the jury for recognizing our campaign “The Most Famous Speech Never Given” as a finalist in three categories. Check out the shortlist and learn more about our partnership with Worth Rises to in the 13th Amendment that allows slavery to be used as punishment for crime still today: https://www.thedrummarketingawards.com/americas/en/page/nominations

06/05/2024

Retaining senior talent has never been adland’s strong point. But at EP+Co, we think experience and hard-earned wisdom make for better agency cultures and better client work. (Maybe that’s why our leadership team has a tenure of 16+ years.) Now, Kat Shafer, our Chief Client Officer, is sharing her thoughts on the topic. Learn why Kat told The Drum that investing in senior talent is essential to seeing the industry thrive: https://www.thedrum.com/news/2024/05/02/it-really-survival-the-cheapest-today-s-adland

16/04/2024

Planet Oat believes that you should never have to settle when it comes to your oatmilk choice. Because where Planet Oat is concerned, the most delicious plant-based foods don’t have to be boring. And they don’t have to be bad. They can prioritize things like rich, creamy taste and high-calcium, low-sugar nutrition, too.

With our new broadcast and social campaign, we’re helping audiences see that when Planet Oat is in your cup (or bowl), you don’t have to compromise. You can just enjoy and “Be Good to You.”

27/03/2024

Organizations often tell women that having a work/life balance is the key to juggling both kids and a career. But the fact of the matter is, just having flexibility in the workplace can’t solve the physiological limitations and societal expectations women face. Especially considering the fact that women’s fertility and career growth potential both peak between 25 and 35. Men, on the other hand, have an additional 10 years to start families and grow their incomes. In her recent article for Adweek, Brittany Hunley, our SVP and director of connections planning, is exploring what we call The Ten Year Tension and explaining what organizations can do to buy women more time and drive true gender equity.

Get Hunley’s Take Now:

Flexibility alone can’t solve women's physiological limitations and society’s expectations. Ad agencies have the ability to level the playing field.

18/03/2024

How do you educate homeowners about the importance of mower safety and keeping kids safe this Spring? You tap the toys that have been through it all out there in the yard and use them to deliver a family-friendly message.

Produced in collaboration with award winning filmmaker and stop-motion director David Brooks, our “Mowers Are Not Toys” spot for the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, representing more than 100 power equipment manufacturers and suppliers, is informative enough to make an impact and engaging enough to break through. Seamlessly combining live action and stop-motion, the work is a result of smart concepting and a deep commitment to the highest quality creative. Check it out.

14/03/2024

Last weekend at our chief strategy officer, Chris Plating, spoke on a panel with Ben & Jerry's, Worth Rises, and the National Religious Campaign Against Torture to share how brands, activists, and advertisers can join forces for good. They explained the relationship these types of organizations can and should cultivate to create change in the world — and helped the audience understand why Advertising for Impact matters. Here are three key takeaways:

- Powerful Companies = Powerful Pull: With bigger platforms, louder voices, and immense people-power, companies bear real weight in the public realm. When they take a stand, people listen. We need companies to advocate for causes they care about and act as the voice of the people who have long been invisible.

- Creativity Can Illuminate the Cause: Advertisers are some of the most creative thinkers on the planet. They know how to turn heads, open eyes, and spark conversation. We need agencies to use their tools and talents to point people to more than just products. They can act as flashlights that illuminate activist causes, which so often exist in the dark.

- Every Brand, Agency, and Person Has Something to Offer: Brands and agencies, when you come to the activist table, come with an abundance mentality. We all have something to offer the causes we care about. Whether it’s a deep understanding of impact-marketing or simply the ability to create a well-executed social post, activists can use what you can offer.

Taking action isn’t always easy, but we firmly believe that it’s always worth it. If you have questions, need a partner, or have an idea for us. Reach out. We’d be thrilled to explore more together.

05/03/2024

This Saturday, we’re heading to for “Branding Movements: Advertising for Impact,” a panel discussion between Chris Plating, our chief strategy officer, and activists and execs from Ben & Jerry's, Worth Rises, and the National Religious Campaign Against Torture.

If you’re in the Austin area, join us to learn how brands and advertisers can use their platforms, tools, and talents to support social justice activism and promote the greater good.

For event details, click here: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2024/events/PP137127

SXSW 2024 Schedule | Brands have enormous power and their support of social causes can ignite cultural change. But in the wake of recent controversy, some companies are protecting their brands instead of taking a stand. In this panel, executives join activists to discuss the role of brands and adver...

14/02/2024

We believe advertising has the power to change the world. That’s why we continue partnering with Worth Rises to . Most recently, we used AI to resurrect President Lincoln for “The Most Famous Speech Never Given,” a speech he would undoubtedly deliver today if he could see how many people still suffer under slavery and forced servitude.

Learn more about how and why we trained AI to write a new speech in Lincoln’s voice and developed a historically accurate CGI representation of the iconic president to give it: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lesliekatz/2024/02/14/ai-resurrects-abraham-lincoln-to-fight-for-criminal-justice-reform/?sh=28b522c06d27

In an AI-generated speech released by nonprofit Worth Rises, the 16th U.S. president comes back to life to challenge a 13th Amendment clause that has repercussions today.

13/02/2024

How do you authentically insert a 130-year-old furniture brand into social conversations around Valentine’s Day? You channel the 80s, reimagining those classic 1-900 hotline ads and driving people online to engage in their very own Sectional Fantasies. And build brand belief in the process.

09/02/2024

Ask just about any brand or agency what the most anticipated industry event of the year is and they’ll likely respond with: the Big Game. Indeed, getting your commercial airtime during the Big Game is considered a win itself — regardless of the content.

But new data from EPiQ, the dedicated research department at EP+Co, says airing a commercial during Super Sunday isn’t nearly as impactful as you might think.

In fact:
▶︎ 85% can’t recall any commercials from last year’s Big Game.

▶︎ 82% have never bought something because of a Big Game commercial.

▶︎ 82% say a Big Game commercial has never significantly changed their opinion of a brand in a positive way.

▶︎ 88% have never started following a brand on social media because of a Big Game commercial.

▶︎ 35% say they watch the Big Game more for the commercials than for the actual game itself.

And our experts know why: the majority of brands fumble the opportunity to create memorable pieces of culture because they don’t build belief.

This Sunday, we’re tuning in to see which brands succeed by delivering spots that are both actionable and consistent with their image. The good and bad news? Whether you come out on top or bottom of the industry lists, the average consumer won’t remember by next year. 😉

08/02/2024

Forget about every other award this weekend. There’s nothing sweeter than The Most Valuable Taco (MVT) — and the Old El Paso Cinnamon Toast Crunch Dessert Taco Shell, has already claimed the prize. See you in Vegas 👀

08/02/2024

What would Lincoln say if he could see how slavery continues to persist in America today? Find out next week. .

06/02/2024

Dual threat, meet dual threat 🤝 When two of the biggest names in food come together, you get a sweet new treat. But when two of the biggest names in football join in, you get the collab of the season. In other words, to launch the Old El Paso Cinnamon Toast Crunch Dessert Taco Shell, we brought together JJ Watt (Old El Paso’s #1 fan) and Justin Jefferson (Cinnamon Toast Crunch’s #1 fan). And they already named the epic item Most Valuable Taco (MVT). Limited edition boxes featuring the JJs available to your taste buds this Wednesday, exclusively on walmart.com.

25/01/2024

Chris Plating, our chief strategy officer, knows the biggest problem every brand is facing today is a culture of distrust. That's why he's so dedicated to building belief with brands we love. And that's why he's sharing how it's done. Get Plating's expert insight now and learn how to earn consumers' trust: https://bit.ly/47RYGVT

by Chris Plating, Chief Strategy Officer, EP+Co

19/01/2024

Curtis Rose, our Chief Operating Officer, and David Mitchell, SVP, Group Account Director, walked 17 miles each day last week at while exploring the latest innovations and trends in tech. Their takeaways? Invest in comfortable walking shoes; don’t wait to harness the power of AI; and ensure your brand has a strategy for becoming an eco-conscious champion of sustainability.

17/01/2024

Our in-house production company knows that collaboration is the key to impactful creativity. That’s why we prioritize working with the best of the best. Sometimes, that means partnering with vendors and independent contractors who promise to push the boundaries and make our work shine. For example? We recently tapped director David Brooks, an expert in stop motion filmmaking, to level up our latest production. Take a look behind the scenes.

Then, explore our full range of production capabilities to learn more about how we build belief with brands we love: https://make.epandcompany.com/

11/01/2024

2023 saw a trend in 'deinfluencers' guiding consumers on which brands to support — and which brands to avoid. This year, that trend will evolve, and we'll see even more examples of brands losing control of their messaging.

Tom Krell, our cultural connections planning director, says brands must adapt to the new landscape where community conversations hold more sway than traditional brand messaging. How? By ensuring your team is bolstered by those who truly understand culture — and the role people want brands to play in it.

Read more about Krell’s take on how brands can build trust within culture to mediate the loss of brand control with grace and confidence: https://digiday.com/marketing/marketing-briefing-what-will-the-top-marketing-trends-in-2024-be/

While of course, "someone will predict the death of 'traditional advertising' [sic] for the 25th year in a row," said Lachlan Badenoch, chief strategy officer at Carmichael Lynch, the predictions for 2024 focused on cultural shifts and potential third-party cookie fallout.