Episode 126: Adweek's Fastest Growing Agency in the US, Ben Adams with Advoc8

Just a few weeks ago, Adweek declared Advoc8 the fastest growing agency in the U.S. and the second fastest-growing agency in the world. In three short years, they have achieved numerous accolades: finalists in Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, Chief Marketer’s list of the best engagement and activation agencies,  telly awards, experiential marketing awards, Best Places to Work, and more.

With over 50 employees, Advoc8 is located in the Washington DC Union Market District, one of the hottest, most diverse and creative districts in Washington. Advoc8 is an experiential agency specializing in the social impact space, partnering with brands and associations that care about making the world a better place and planning strategic real-life experiences that change people’s actions and beliefs.

I was in Washington and sat down with one of Advoc8’s four founders, Ben Adams, (whose other partners include John Legittino, Jeremey Rose, and Josh Sharp); Ben leads the brand merchandise team and innovation labs at Advoc8 and we discussed multiple topics including:

• The alchemy of brand positioning and focus that has produced such fast-growth

• How experiential marketing has evolved and why traditional advertising strategies aren’t working

• The impact that the cross-disciplines of the company (including research and strategy, experiential events, design, video creation, and brand merchandise, has had on their success

• Ben’s favorite projects including a YouTube pop up studio, and one regarding cookies in space to an experience for CNN re the White House correspondents dinner

• The importance of making quick decisions in a high-pressure business environment

About halfway through the episode, we also chat with Michaela Albano, Operations Manager at Advoc8, about a very special cause they are passionate bout it in Haiti, Lespwa Academy.