The Hidden Gems first monthly Newsletter!

What the heck is “The Hidden Gems”?

The Hidden Gems is an Agency & Production matchmaker.  When a marketer, creative, experientialist, media maven or producer seeks recommendations on who to consider sending a brief, brainstorm, or RFP to, we provide some incredible options that are flying under your radar.  Literally that simple.  No paperwork nor transactions ever needed between us.  We believe you can manifest great work and great results with partners that have top notch process, people, and prices.  Reach out to us at any time for questions, needs, gutchecks, etc.

What will be covered in the newsletter?

• Marketing & Advertising Industry news. 

• New inspiring work this month across Creative Advertising - Digital, Design, Video, Experiential.  

• Also some fun: A new “Hidden Gem” in music and philosophical musings.  After all: “All work and no play” makes a Gem dull.  As with our overall ethos, we strive to provide something amazing, yet not widely publicized.  Thus… a Hidden Gem.

Advertising Industry News

• IPG & Omnicom merger - Keeping clients on board and excited is mission-critical

• The Mill (US) is shutting down - The legacy & impact will not be forgotten

  • Breaking News: The legacy lives on!  In true agency production fashion, moving quick while maintaining beautiful execution, Arc has been formed as a reforging of The Mill.

• AI is brought up in 70% of industry-related conversations (no source other than a gut feeling)

• Sabrina Carpenter was in an elegant RedKen ad - Even espresso can’t damage her hair now.

• Instacart’s Superbowl ad was brand-studded (you know, like star-studded, but… you get it).  Nike made an incredibly winning impact as well - great music too. Though for us, the most memorable Super Bowl ad ever is still Tubi’s from 2023. Coinbase was certainly a runner up (Kudos to Chiat LA, Wieden + Kennedy, Mischief, and Martin Agency, respectively)

• The emergence of “AI Influencers” is eroding trust - Our take: this initiative may be cheaper but not exactly effective.  It’s the antithesis of what influencer marketing was first built upon.  This is an opportunity for true trustworthy influencer efforts to shine through.

Latest Work from Hidden Gems

For this special first edition, please enjoy THIS PLAYLIST that captures just a select few recent projects across Content, Experiential and Digital/Design. The Hidden Gems have been busy making…

• Websites for Kevin Hart, Activision, Universal, and an AI Legal tech startup

• The world’s first 3D+AR integrated Billboard in Time’s Square for L’Oreal (RedKen)

• Conference activation for Polygon at EthDenver

• Docu video for Adobe

• Stunt for Jameson Whiskey + NFL

• AI for Revlon

• A deepfake of Usher to promote his tour

• Commercial for Monster Energy brand: Reign Storm

And so much more we can’t talk about 🤫

Note #1 

We will only showcase creative work here (Content, Experiential, Design) as it’s the most visibly flashy, but do know that much much more goes on beneath the hood.

Note  #2 

Curious about the teams behind any piece of work?  The cost, timeline?  Just ask!

We’re not just about work

• Did you catch us in the Vegas MSG Sphere saying hello to all our friends in town during CES?

• Or paying very respectful homage to Barkley OKRP

Music

A personal favorite by Chicago electronica trio Hey Champ called Neverest (for the impatient ones, the excitement starts at 1:19).  They never quite “made it” but they have consistently made incredible songs and remixes.  And a portion of their legacy continues as Moon Boots Unlike the song’s suggestion - we believe rest is important.

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed?  Let this song inspire you to Not worry bout a thing. From Australian hip-hop/funktronica (is that a thing?) group Jakubi.

Monthly Philosophical Musing

What if a billion dollar business isn't a business that's valued at a billion dollars, but rather, a business you WOULDN’T sell for a billion.  What would you do differently?

From Diary of a CEO w/ that Charisma YouTuber dude