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21 Years of Inspiring Action

Next Friday, May 5th, the agency will officially turn 21 years of age.

As an agency so focused on the future – accountable for building our clients brands and driving results – we seldom have the opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of the past.

But for this, our coming-of-age party, we will make an exception. We’re finally legal to drink, and there’s a lot to raise our glass to.

First and foremost, for 21 years of building truly inspiring partnerships with our clients, both old and new. Together, we’ve been able to bring so many beautiful and inspiring ideas to life. BIG ideas. Ideas that inspire people to make more inspiring decisions and form more empowering habits. These are the ideas that help change the world, and we couldn’t be more grateful to have collaborated on them with you.

To 21 years of always remaining true to our core values of love, courage, and understanding.  While the industry has changed over the last two decades, our values have not. They are the pillars that this agency was founded on, and we’re proud to have never wavered from them.

To 21 years of being fully transparent and honest with our media, and using these practices to create powerful brand associations and increase acquisition efficiency. Where much of the industry has fallen short, we have not. We have and always will be completely accountable to our clients, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

To 21 years of designing phenomenal fulfillment experiences and iconic actions. These are the experiences that emotionally connect the brand to the consumer. They take brand advocates and turn them into devotees, and they start well before most people realize. Every interaction and every touchpoint is designed with the user in mind.

All the people, relationships, hard work, innovations, creativity and undying displays of empathy have made these past 21 years so rewarding.

So with that in mind, please join us at our agency next week as we celebrate 21 years in business. You can RSVP to the event on Facebook HERE. We’d love to see you there.

Our match has been struck, and it’s burning hotter and brighter than ever. We can’t wait to see this marketing blaze grow. Here’s to the next 21.

Cheers,

The DiMassimo Goldstein Team

 

The A-List Podcast: Episode 005 with Jill Applebaum

“You get more when you are generous… when you give credit…when you share opportunities and don’t hog the limelight for yourself.”

This week on “The A-list” podcast, host and DiMassimo Goldstein chief creative officer Tom Christmann is joined by Jill Applebaum, creative strategist at Facebook Creative Shop. Before joining Facebook, Applebaum made a name for herself at several different agencies including DMB&B, Ogilvy & Mather, Young & Rubicam, J. Walter Thompson and DraftFCB, where she was one of the masterminds behind Oreo’s revolutionary “Daily Twist” campaign. That year, she and her creative partner were listed No.7 on Fast Company’s “Most Creative People of 2013”.

In this episode, Jill and Tom talk about the trials and tribulations of becoming a copywriter, surrounding yourself with good people, the current state of women in the industry, and so much more. If you’re interested in learning from one of the best in the business, this episode is for you. Full episode and show notes below!

Show notes

  • [0:00 – 1:30] Intro
  • [1:31 – 12:09] Growing up in New Jersey and starting off in the industry
  • [12:10 – 14:54] Mentorship and collaboration
  • [14:55 – 17:01] Why Jill made the move from DMB&B to Ogilvy & Mather
  • [17:02 – 19:07] Y&R and BrandBuzz
  • [19:08 – 21:33] The current state of women in the industry
  • [21:34 – 23:56] Jill’s favorite brands to work on
  • [23:57 – 26:42] The importance of having a strong work ethic
  • [26:43 – 31:40] What it means to be a good creative partner
  • [31:41 – 34:14] Transitioning from being a creative to being a creative director
  • [34:15 – 40:48] The famous “Daily Twist” Oreo campaign
  • [40:49 – 43:17] Why Freelancing is against her DNA
  • [43:18 – 44:44] The similarities and differences between Facebook and Agencies
  • [44:45 – 49:55] Jill’s advice to young creatives
  • [49:56 – 51:12] Outro

 “The A-List” is a podcast produced by DiMassimo Goldstein, recorded at the Gramercy Post, and sponsored by the Adhouse Advertising School, New York’s newest, smallest, and hippest ad school. You can subscribe and rate the show on iTunes or listen along on SoundCloud. For updates on upcoming episodes and guests, be sure to like the A-List Podcast on Facebook and follow host Tom Christmann on Twitter. If you want to be interviewed for an upcoming episode, contact us at AdhouseNYC.com.

 

The A-List Podcast: Episode 004 with David Angelo

“I believe that people show up in your life at the right time, and it’s really up to you to recognize what their purpose is”

For the fourth installment of “The A-List” podcast, host and chief creative officer of DiMassimo Goldstein, Tom Christmann, sits down with David Angelo, the founder and chairman of David & Goliath. Before starting his own agency in 1999, Angelo worked at several different agencies, often working alongside some of the most legendary names in the industry including Phyllis Robinson, Eric Silver, Cliff Freeman, Lee Clow and former A-list guest Ty Montague.

During what was the program’s first ever in-person interview, the two discuss everything from working the graveyard shift as a teamster in San Francisco to chasing your mentors and conquering your fears. Angelo’s story is one of inspiration and bravery you won’t want to miss it. Full episode and show notes below:

Show Notes

  • [0:00 – 1:35] Intro
  • [1:36 – 8:45] Cliff Freeman, the Willy Wonka of advertising
  • [8:46 – 11:53] Angelo talks about growing up outside of Oakland
  • [11:54 – 13:00] Working the graveyard shift as a teamster
  • [13:01 – 17:00] The Eddie Lopez Story
  • [17:01 –19:12] Moving to New York City and living in Roosevelt Island
  • [19:13 – 26:05] DDB and working with the original Peggy Olsen (Phyllis Robinson)
  • [26:06 – 30:29] The history behind the New York Lotto tagline “Hey, you never know”
  • [30:30 – 32:10] Working on the Clinton/Gore campaign in 1992
  • [32:12 – 34:57] Working at Chiat Day with Ty Montague
  • [34:58 – 41:40] Chasing your mentors and living your truth
  • [41:40 – 48:00] Starting his own agency, Kia’s challenger story
  • [48:01 – 51:15] The brave mindset of David & Goliath
  • [51:16 – 58:45] How meditation inspired his not-for-profit
  • [58:46 – 59:33] Outro

“The A-List” is a podcast produced by DiMassimo Goldstein and sponsored by the Adhouse Advertising School, New York’s newest, smallest, and hippest ad school. You can subscribe and rate the show on iTunes or listen along on SoundCloud. For updates on upcoming episodes and guests, be sure to like the A-List Podcast on Facebook and follow host Tom Christmann on Twitter. If you want to be interviewed for an upcoming episode, contact us at AdhouseNYC.com.

 

The A-List Podcast: Episode 003 with Greg Hahn

“Before I knew anything about advertising I was trying to find books… business and self-help books to get lost in. I found one that looked pretty easy to read and it had one piece of advice in it… it was the simplest piece of advice you’ll ever get but super important and has led to my career path more than any one sentence in the world.”

In this episode of “The A-List” podcast, host and chief creative officer of DiMassimo Goldstein, Tom Christmann, chats with Greg Hahn, the chief creative officer of BBDO New York, where he helps brands like HBO and FedEx make award-winning work that works. For a little over 40 minutes, the two talk about what it’s like to be a musician, the magic of David Lubars, hacking technology, and the benefits of eavesdropping. Be sure to listen all the way to the end to hear one piece of magic advice that every young creative needs to hear. Check out full episode and show notes below!

Show Notes:

  • [0:00 – 1:20] Into
  • [1:21 – 7:04] Greg’s early life and aspirations
  • [7:05 – 11:00] The two different paths in advertising
  • [11:01 – 13:33] Being a musician
  • [13:34 – 21:24] Attitude and curiosity
  • [21:25 – 23:11] The magic of David Lubars
  • [23:12 –  29:04] Working with Spike Jonze, the benefits of eavesdropping, and the endless creativity around New York City
  • [29:05 – 32:35] How creativity has change, hacking technology
  • [32:36 – 35: 13] Luke Sullivan’s “Hey Whipple, Squeeze This” and other must-reads for young creatives
  • [35:14 – 36:25] Hahn’s alter ego, Maxcatt
  • [36:26 – 38:40] BBDO the global boutique
  • [38:41 – 40:55] The most important advice Hahn ever received
  • [40:56– 41:37] Outro

“The A-List” is a podcast produced by DiMassimo Goldstein and sponsored by the Adhouse Advertising School, New York’s newest, smallest, and hippest ad school. You can subscribe and rate the show on iTunes or listen along on SoundCloud. For updates on upcoming episodes and guests, be sure to like the A-List Podcast on Facebook and follow host Tom Christmann on Twitter. If you want to be interviewed for an upcoming episode, contact us at AdhouseNYC.com.

 

The A-List Podcast: Episode 002 with Ty Montague

“I will bet on passion over genius every time.”

In this very special episode of “The A-List”, host Tom Christmann chats with  Ty Montague, the founder of co:collective, a growth and innovation accelerator that helps clients develop their business strategy and execute their brand story using the principles of Storydoing™. Over the course of 45 minutes, Tom and Ty relive their experience together at J. Walter Thompson, obsess over creative troublemakers, and ask the questions that really matter in life, like whether or not we are living in a computer simulation. Full episode and show notes below!

Show Notes

  • [0:00 – 1:28] Intro
  • [1:29 – 7:43] Ty’s background and the unique story of how he got into the industry
  • [7:44 – 9:40] The importance of networking, passion, and motivation
  • [9:41 – 13:50] Tom and Ty talk big agencies and their experience at JWT
  • [13:51 – 17:22] Turning ideas into something real and working with others
  • [17:23 – 21:30] Creative troublemakers and breaking barriers
  • [21:31 – 26:30] How co:collective is different than an advertising agency
  • [26:31 – 29:45] Millennials, creative opportunities, and making an impact in the world
  • [29:46 – 32:30] The traditional agency model vs. internal creative teams
  • [32:31 – 36:09] Amazon, Jeff Bezos, and innovation
  • [36:23 – 42:50] The life and work of Howard Gossage and other recommended books for students
  • [42:53 – 44:15] Are we living in a computer simulation?
  • [44:30 – 45:10] Outro

To follow Ty Montague on Twitter, click here.

“The A-List” is brought to you by the Adhouse Advertising School, New York’s newest, smallest, and hippest ad school. You can subscribe and rate the show on iTunes or listen along on Soundcloud. For updates on upcoming episodes and guests, be sure to like the A-List Podcast on Facebook and follow host Tom Christmann on Twitter. If you want to be interviewed for an upcoming episode, contact us at AdhouseNYC.com.

 

The A-List Podcast: Episode 001 with Rob Reilly

“My advice to young people is to be the Richard Branson of advertising”

In the premier episode of “The A-List”, host Tom Christmann interviews Rob Reilly, the Global Creative Chairman of Mcann Wolrdgroup. Reilly is one of the most well-respected creatives in the industry and has been recognized at Cannes with multiple Titanium and Grand Prix Lions awards. His 20+ years of advertising experience have made this interview a must-listen for anyone in, or looking to get into the advertising industry. You can listen to the full episode and view the shownotes below:

Shownotes:

  • (0:00 – 1:36) Intro
  • (1:37 – 5:49) Rob Reilly’s Background
  • (5:50 – 12:42) Presenting, selling, and being a charming provocateur.
  • (12:43 – 15:59) The story behind Lockheed Martin’s “Field Trip to Mars”
  • (16:00 – 18:12) Millennials and the culture of instant gratification
  • (18:13 – 32:00) Reilly’s career journey
  • (32:20 – 39:35) An evolving industry, purpose-led marketing, and the future of advertising
  • (39:36 – 47:00) Advertising portfolios and landing a job
  • (47:01 – 47:58) Outro

The A-List is brought to you by the Adhouse Advertising School, New York’s newest, smallest and hippest ad school. You can subscribe and rate the show on iTunes or listen along on Soundcloud. For updates on upcoming episodes and guests, be sure to like the A-List Podcast on Facebook and follow host Tom Christmann on twitter. If you want to be interviewed for an upcoming episode, contact us at AdhouseNYC.com.

 

Some Public Results

Our clients are responsible for building brands and businesses simultaneously.

This often means urgently lowering the cost of acquiring customers and revenue while launching, relaunching or refreshing the brand.

Brand + Business Building.

Often, before we started working together, these leaders felt they alone bore that responsibility and perspective. Lots of people had solutions to sell them, but fitting those solutions together into a whole wasn’t anybody’s problem but theirs.

When we started working together, for the first time they had accountable partners responsible for growing the business and brand, and able to speak in the language of the CEO and the board too – the language of results.

Not all of our clients are public companies, but recently some of our public clients have released results that I’d like to share.

Weight Watchers has just posted their fifth straight quarter of membership recruitment growth, and marketing is credited to helping drive the growth, of which DiGo played an integral creative role.

Weight Watchers’ Member Rolls Rise for First Time Since 2012

After last year’s tax season, Jackson Hewitt moved their account to DiMassimo Goldstein, and the company has just reported our first results together. The short of it is that we preempted the rest of the industry and, with our smaller budget, outperformed everyone, including H&R Block.

Jackson Hewitt Announces Strong “First Season” Results

These are public companies turning a corner. Their management teams are tight and urgently focused on results. They can’t sacrifice brand for revenue or revenue for brand – they need both urgently.

In this, they have a lot in common with our growth-stage clients who are changing industries and bringing the new world of Direct 3.0. The marketplace is changing quickly around industries, and while we help our clients seize the opportunities in Direct 2.0 platforms and technologies, we help them transform marketing for the marketplace beyond with powerful direct brand experiences – Direct 3.0. (Here’s a video on Direct 2.0 to whet your appetite for learning more about Direct 3.0.)

If you are at a giant company with a strategic sourcing department and a matrix management structure, you probably can’t hire us because you probably aren’t on a team with a leader who really is responsible for building both the brand and the business, and because you probably can’t really use a truly integrated, accountable partner of our size.

But if you are at the moment of extreme focus in your business where both marketing results and brand value are urgently essential to building the value of the enterprise, then finding true partners may just be a possibility worth considering.

If the results referenced above prove anything, it’s that when your brand inspires action and those actions build your brand, some wonderful things can happen.

If that’s what you’re working on, know that we are with you!