It’s not a secret that we like coffee. Make that LOVE. So that got me thinking about how our preferences about where we buy that latte is a lot like the decision clients make when choosing a creative agency to work with. The answer: It’s all in the brew.
Dunkin’ Donuts
Bueno, bonito y barato. It’s a saying in Spanish that literally means “good, pretty and cheap.” That’s how I would describe DD. If you need your coffee super fast, decent-tasting and on the cheap – this is the way to go. Similarly, there are agencies out there that provide the same type of service. You will get what you ask for but nothing more. No personalized service and no real strategy behind the flavor. But that may be ok if you have a large, competent in-house staff that needs some filler talent for a project. Once in awhile, you may need a quick, inexpensive pick-me-up.
Starbucks
Starbucks has built a brand that makes many of us creatives drool. They have mastered the art of creating a consistent experience, commoditizing the ambience of a European cafe and charging us handsomely for their fancy, customized caffeinated beverages. I liken Starbucks’ quality and scale to large agencies that have the capacity to deliver a wide range of services really well. They’re the superstars, easily recognizable and damn, doesn’t their work look GOOD. But there’s a price to pay for such greatness, so if you’re not one of the Apples or Nikes of the world, you probably can’t afford them.
Neighborhood Coffee Shop
So inviting. So unique. And, so good. Your local coffee shop serves up similar beverages to the chains listed above, yet, it seems so personal when they froth that cappuccino for you. Heck, you may even be on a first name basis. These baristas know a lot about their brew and seem to enjoy the art of putting it together. And the ambience is much more relaxed compared to the big shops.
That smaller, more personalized approach aligns with agencies such as ours. Yup, we’re your neighborhood coffee shop, creatively speaking. Just because we’re small doesn’t mean we don’t know how to craft a really strong and delectable blend of strategy, content, design and functionality. Plus, you get us—your friendly, neighborhood creative team who have the inside scoop on scoring some really amazing coffee. Who’s up for an Octane run?
