Evolution Bureau is a pioneer in digital advertising and one of the industry’s leading companies. The agency specializes in both traditional and digital advertising solutions as well as advanced video production services through EVB Productions, its new business unit. By leveraging a consumer-centric approach that integrates strategy with entertainment and interactivity, it is able to deliver innovative advertising campaigns that create brand awareness, enhance customer relationships and encourage long-term brand loyalty. Throughout the years, EVB has directed ad campaigns for many recognizable brands, including Adidas, Levi’s, Sephora and The Golf Channel.
Contel Bradford of DMB recently spoke with Daniel Stein, CEO and founder of Evolution Bureau, to learn more about the agency’s roots and get some expert insight on the digital advertising atmosphere.
Please give us a brief glimpse at Evolution Bureau’s journey into the world of digital media? How did you get started in this fast-growing field?
It really started back in 1994. My first job out of college was at Time Warner Interactive. I had a front-row seat to the changes that were happening with content delivery. Back then, “interactive” meant CD-ROM and interactive television. Throughout the ’90s, I worked in media [Time Warner], advertising [Saatchi & Saatchi and Anderson & Lembke] and entertainment [American Zoetrope]. This experience culminated with the launch of Evolution Bureau in 2000. At the time, we didn’t realize we were building a Web 2.0 agency — a term that didn’t exist. We were just doing what we knew was right and aligned with the changes and growth in digital media.
The market for digital advertising solutions is growing rapidly. What makes EVB different from all the other agencies currently on the scene?
At this point, it’s no secret that digital marketing is the future. Every agency is trying to transform itself into a shop that can deliver great digital work. Everyone knows the right things to say but accomplishing a successful digital initiative is another story. It’s going to take some time before many of the larger traditional agencies can really claim to understand digital.
That is what sets apart agencies like EVB that were “born digital.” We aren’t challenged with the task of unlearning processes from the past. Rather, we have a fluid process in place and can allocate all of our resources to creativity and innovation. Plus, we live and breath digital in our professional and daily lives and understand how web-centric consumers interact, navigate, share and more in a digital world, which enables us to create meaningful content for this audience.
Your list of clients is very impressive. Can you fill our readers in on a few of your most successful projects completed for notable national brands?
Obviously, the holiday campaign — Elf Yourself — that we created for OfficeMax in 2006 and 2007 is our claim to fame and global success story. It isn’t very often than you create a cultural icon that becomes a viral success worldwide through a simple digital marketing campaign. However, we are also very proud of the work that we have created for clients including adidas, LeapFrog, Levi’s, Kodak, and more. We are also doing some great work right now for Wrigley, Land’s End, PayPal and VSP. You can check out some of our work.
What is your outlook on the progression and future of the digital marketing segment?
At EVB, we are strong believers in “socialized marketing,” which is the philosophy that all consumers are now connected and conversations about brands are happening at each consumer touch point. We have the ability to use ideas and technology to weave our clients into the lives of consumers in a meaningful, relevant way that will add to the consumer experience.
Can you give our readers a sneak peak at some projects EVB has in the pipeline? What should we be looking out for this holiday season?
Some of EVB’s best work is yet to launch this year. Keep your eyes open for some exciting initiatives for brands like Wrigley and PayPal. We keep our agency blog updated with new campaign launches, where readers are first to know.
