Daily

green: local; black: non-local;

Thursday Morning Poll #10

Since we know there are loads of interactive people reading The Egotist, today we’d like to know from you and everyone else:

What is the best interactive shop in Colorado and why?

27 days ago / / Link

Comment

  1. Thats a tough one, and I might have to go with a split decision.

    From the perspective of technical execution, I would have to give the nod to Factory. They are on the cutting edge of the industry, and have the strongest delivery team in town. They also never fall short in the design dept either.

    From a marketing strategy standpoint, I would lean towards XylemCCI. From Jack Links, to Jimmy Johns, to Chipotle, they have always delivered fun and engaging online campaigns that seem to be in line with the goals of the brand.

    I would also like to give some props to FL-2, as they consistently deliver unique and clever user interface systems that are fresh and functional.

    But in the end, if I was a fortune 500 company shopping for a Colorado interactive agency, I think Factory would be the place for me.

    — Joe Mease · Jul 24, 06:15 AM · #

  2. Factory. They have the skills of an interactive shop and the branding abilities of an ad agency. Plus their creative is supertastic.

    — Matt · Jul 24, 06:23 AM · #

  3. Crispin. No one else is even remotely close. They’re one of the best interactive shops in the world, so Colorado is a given. They’re light years ahead of everyone else.

    And if I need to tell you why then you need to consider another profession.

    That was a very silly question.

    — David Stone · Jul 24, 06:30 AM · #

  4. FL2 has been doing great interactive for years, keep an eye on them…

    — d5000 · Jul 24, 07:16 AM · #

  5. d.stone…you are out to lunch.

    CPB may be considered great agency, but I don’t see much in the way of spectacular interactive from them.

    Maybe I haven’t kept up, so I invite you to provide what you think are the 3 best CPB interactive campaigns, but regardless, to say that no one else in town is ‘remotely’ close… is just ignorant.

    — Joe Mease · Jul 24, 07:22 AM · #

  6. Mease, it kind of depends on how wide you want the interactive tag to blanket… and if you want to consider pre-Boulder CP+B work.

    They were the first company I’ve seen make xbox360 games that were complete, unabashed advertisements that people paid $2 for.

    Also, subservientchicken.com spawned a ton of imitators.

    — justinpaluch · Jul 24, 07:32 AM · #

  7. Actually, I spoke too soon: the BK games were developed by Blitz Games.

    — justinpaluch · Jul 24, 07:35 AM · #

  8. Agreed, its a very subjective question… that is why David Stone sounds like such a pompous blow-hard when he comments the way he does.

    The matter-of-fact, condescending, how-dare-you tone just undermines one’s entire point.

    — Joe Mease · Jul 24, 07:42 AM · #

  9. The Barbarian Group developed The Subserviant Chicken for CP+B. CP+B does amazing work, but up until recently I they were outsourcing interactive.

    — clammy · Jul 24, 07:46 AM · #

  10. David Stone,
    I think you are in the wrong industry….

    Give CP+B a call, maybe they can hook you up with a Burger King interview

    — poobear · Jul 24, 08:44 AM · #

  11. David Stone ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    — PalmerPolanski · Jul 24, 09:30 AM · #

  12. You guys wouldn’t know good interactive if it jumped off the screen and took a big, steamy, virtual dump on your heads.

    — Billy Baloney · Jul 24, 09:49 AM · #

  13. Xylem?? Are you serious? What have they done lately? A couple of run-of-the-mill websites that look like every other crappy website. They might have some creative talent left, but they lack the working capital to pull anything off. They’ve already lost most of their programmers and apparently don’t have enough cash to replace them so they just work everyone else harder.

    Clearly hanging on by a thread, it’s only a matter of time before they are completely gone.

    — seriously · Jul 24, 10:34 AM · #

  14. I’d have to give the nod to Factory, interactive is just something they do well, day in, day out. I also dig FL2, some great work. CPB, not sure about including them. All that subservient chicken stuff was cool but most people at the time had no clue it was for BK. And where they even in CO when they did that?

    — Paul Suggett · Jul 24, 11:43 AM · #

  15. agreed, xylem hasn’t really produced anything noticeable in the last two years. They do alright work, but it seems to be the same… I’m told things have been up and down there lately.

    My money would go to Factory or FL2. Both are producing great work. But what do I know?

    — petey · Jul 24, 12:03 PM · #

  16. i second what billy had to say. furthermore, after that asinine post yesterday regarding the “flash” adobe site, it’s a safe bet to say it’s not the shop that the egotist is at.

    the alter ego’s vote: fl-2. the most innovative and intriguing of the bunch.

    — Alter Ego · Jul 24, 02:20 PM · #

  17. Didn’t CP+B come up as the second best interactive agency in the world this year at Cannes? Maybe I heard that wrong.

    — David Stone · Jul 24, 06:44 PM · #

  18. That’s the downfall of an open forum like the thedenveregotist. There are a lot of opinions on here but most are not very informed ones.

    Check CP+B’s domination in the One Show Interactive annuals for the past few years. It speaks for itself.

    — David Stone · Jul 25, 03:58 AM · #

  19. For interactive branding/advertising, CPB.

    For straight up interactive/design goodness, FL2.

    — Mike King · Jul 25, 04:43 AM · #

  20. Point taken David, but the question was “What is the best interactive shop in Colorado and why?” not “Who does the best interactive work and why?” Would you really consider CP&B to be an interactive shop? I think this was aimed at true CO shops, not satellite branches from Miami.

    — Paul Suggett · Jul 25, 07:00 AM · #

  21. David…
    You pompous douche. You looked at the One Show Interactive book and the list of winners at Cannes and now you’re an informed expert on interactive? FL2 and Factory could run a train on Crispin.

    — Billy Baloney · Jul 25, 07:50 AM · #

  22. Thumbs up to FL2 and Factory Labs for best shop in Denver. I’m always impressed with the creative and slick flash work from both firms.

    and now that CP+B and Texture media have combined forces I assume they will be producing some cool interactive too.

    — John A. · Jul 25, 08:48 AM · #

  23. Dunno. It’s an interactive shop enough to lure Microsoft.

    And it’s not a satellite branch. Boulder is the main shop. They also have locations in London and Miami.

    There are lots of Crispin bashers out there but I think the work, and the conceptual heft of the work, speaks for itself.

    Dude, you can call me whatever you like. Raise your maturity level and put together a cohesive argument instead of a knee jerk reply. Give me some facts. Not just opinions. And at least use your real name.

    — David Stone · Jul 25, 10:04 AM · #

  24. Here’s my arguement:
    http://www.fl-2.com/
    http://www.factorylabs.com

    and now yours:
    http://cpbgroup.com/

    — Billy Baloney · Jul 25, 10:10 AM · #

  25. “pompous douche.”
    Best metaphor in a long time.

    — AppleZ · Jul 25, 10:19 AM · #

  26. Silly us David, thanks for your insight on the only way to define “the best” interactive shop, the One Show and Cannes.

    What the fuck were we thinking? Egotist, this post has been rendered useless by David “the juggler” Stone as his insight is light years ahead of anyone here.

    — Francis Buxton · Jul 25, 11:19 AM · #

  27. Damn…if Cowboy Curtis shows up this is gonna be a hell of a party.

    — Billy Baloney · Jul 25, 11:37 AM · #

  28. 90octane. Don’t split hairs, I don’t care if you think a hot shop is the one thinking up cool online time-wasters. It’s about results, results, results. 90octane kicks BUTT when it comes to delivering value to a client, period.

    — Laura Higgins · Jul 25, 11:39 AM · #

  29. David, thanks for even taking the time out of your day to join us here on the Egotist.

    — Cowboy Curtis · Jul 25, 11:42 AM · #

  30. 90 octane? LOL. that’s funny shit

    — John A. · Jul 25, 11:47 AM · #

  31. Mike King will soon be available for copywriting opportunities.

    — steve whittier · Jul 25, 12:16 PM · #

  32. 90 Octane? Please tell me that you’re not referring to this company:

    http://www.90octane.com/index.htm

    And if you are referring to that company…please tell me you’re being sarcastic.

    — Billy Baloney · Jul 25, 12:32 PM · #

  33. again… it goes back to how one perceives the question.

    90 Octane may get “results, results, results” (I don’t know, never worked with them, and don’t know much about them), but I don’t think of them as a contending interactive agency. Seems more like an SEO shop to me.

    — Joe Mease · Jul 25, 03:38 PM · #

  34. You know, as soon as I saw this question, I thought that’ll draw out a few dozen comments, good and unfortunately bad. It’s kind of like middle-school girls brushing each other saying “You’re the prettiest.” and “Well, you’re the smartest.”

    Bottom line: who cares? Seriously, between all the aforementioned agencies, it seems like there’s a great handful of interactive shops representing Denver. I’d rather have a bunch of them that the rest of the nation can look versus one that comes off a fluke and Denver gets ignored. Let’s hope at the Denver 50, a good mix of you are represented. And well.

    Cheers.

    — Jay · Jul 26, 05:38 AM · #

  35. CPB hands down. I don’t know why anyone would even have to debate this.

    Factory? I’ll give them some credit for some pretty DESIGN. I’ve never seen any work with any kind of an IDEA just fancy build your overpriced Audi kind of sites. FL2? Who the fuck are they? Xylem? You’re kidding, right?

    — ATF · Jul 26, 09:11 AM · #

  36. Jay, you’re a man of diplomacy, tact and reason.

    — David Stone · Jul 26, 10:33 AM · #

  37. Jay…good call. It’s a silly debate and it really doesn’t matter.

    But unfortunately I’m immature, and to make matters worse ATF just said several things that are completely retarded and I have to respond. ATF, I will tell you exactly why I will debate you on the CP+B vs. the rest of Denver topic…

    In regards to Factory…you talk about good design as if its a bad thing, so your credibility levels just plummeted. Good design is what we’re talking about here isn’t it? And futhermore…that same regurgitated “all style, no substance” shit is completely false when it comes to the work Factory has been cranking out. Take the Audi/Iron Man site for example. They’ve created a complete online experience that incorporates video, 3d, games and pretty much anything else a fan of the movie or the cars would want. It’s a fun and engaging site that promotes and entertains simultaneously. And that’s just one example out of many.

    In regards to FL2… if you don’t know who they are then you shouldn’t even be a part of this conversation. They’ve done some of the most groundbreaking interactive work that’s ever come out of this town and they’ve been recognized for it on an international level. If you had a fucking clue about interactive, you’d know who they are. The first all-flash version of the shopcomposition.com site (which is sadly no longer up) was amazing. It was one of the first all-flash, online retail sites that overcame most, if not all, of the usabilty issues that used to exist. And again…that’s just one example out of many.

    I’m not saying CP+B doesn’t do great work. They do. I’m a fan. But If you believe that the rest of the interactive shops in town can’t compete, I will gladly debate you.

    — Billy Baloney · Jul 26, 10:44 AM · #

  38. Billy, if that’s your real name, I assume you’ve worked for the shops you’re commenting on? Tell us all where you’ve been so we can put your opinion into some kind of perspective. Thanks.

    — David Stone · Jul 26, 02:19 PM · #

  39. Regardless of how you feel about XylemCCI, you cant deny that they have launched a slew of successful interactive campaigns for a large number of national brands.

    Looking back over the past 2-3 years, there are plenty of successful, well executed, award winning campaigns that have come from that team.

    So even if you think they are not as strong as the likes of Factory, CP&B, FL-2, or any other agency in Colorado..I find it hard to see how any relatively objective colleague could totally dismiss their presence in this town as a joke.

    — Joe Mease · Jul 26, 02:45 PM · #

  40. ...and as Billy pointed out, if you don’t know who FL-2 is, then your ignorance on the topic at hand should have compelled you to find a discussion where you could offer a slightly more educated point of view.

    — Joe Mease · Jul 26, 02:49 PM · #

  41. God damn you David…just when I start to forget how annoying you are…you do something to remind me.

    Why the hell would I bother using an obviously fake screen name if I wanted you to know who I was, or where I’ve worked? What difference does it make anyway? I don’t know who you are, or where you work ether (and don’t care).

    In your usual misinformed yet condescending manner, you said “Crispin is light years ahead of everyone else. If I have to tell you why you need to consider a different profession.”

    Well…I’m asking you. Why do you think Crispin is “light years ahead of everyone else” when it comes to interactive?

    — Billy Baloney · Jul 26, 03:10 PM · #

  42. Who are you Billy? Tell us.

    After all, this is The Denver Egotist, is it not?

    — David Stone · Jul 26, 03:19 PM · #

  43. Nice. Way to avoid the question Dave.

    — Billy Baloney · Jul 26, 03:31 PM · #

  44. Genuine question here. When did Boulder become Crispin’s main office, as David is alleging? I thought Miami was still their main HQ?

    — Paul Suggett · Jul 26, 06:51 PM · #

  45. Never mind, just checked out the CP&B website, they state their main office is still Miami. They have other locations, like Boulder, which would not at all be considered satellite offices in any way. Ahem.

    — Paul Suggett · Jul 26, 06:57 PM · #

  46. Their website isn’t current. I’m sure they haven’t had the time to update it since they keep winning accounts. They’re insanely busy there. They’re the hardest working agency in all of advertising. I’m not alleging, I’m telling you. The main office is Boulder.

    — David Stone · Jul 27, 03:44 AM · #

  47. Hardest working is dead on. They keep insane hours and work their people to the bone. I’ve known enough good creatives who left CP&B because they were tired of doing 70-80 hour weeks. When you go at that pace, expect rapid burnout and fast staff turnaround. People matter too, they are the product after all.

    — Paul Suggett · Jul 27, 06:20 AM · #

  48. David…can I give you some advice? Get a screen name and become anonymous. You’re embarrassing the shit out of yourself and you don’t even know it.

    The only thing you’ve proven so far is that you don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re the one who said “put together a cohesive argument instead of a knee jerk reply. Give me some facts. Not just opinions.”

    Well, let’s fucking hear it dude. I gave you mine. Where’s yours? Tell me why Crispin “is light years ahead”. I bet you can’t even give me one example.

    — Billy Baloney · Jul 27, 07:51 AM · #

  49. I do notice that David’s email is One Show 44. I wonder if that’s how many One Show gold’s he’s won? Just a thought.

    — Paul Suggett · Jul 27, 08:32 AM · #

  50. Billy, where have you been and who are you?

    Either bring it or just go home. Don’t hide behind a fake screen name. Anyone can be an anonymous loudmouth. The Egotist is chock full of ‘em. See any of the more well known creatives in town on the Egotist using fake names?

    I sure don’t.

    — David Stone · Jul 27, 09:04 AM · #

  51. Actually, someone goaded me into stretching this out to fifty posts to see if I could get a record.

    — David Stone · Jul 27, 09:13 AM · #

  52. Congrats David.

    — Paul Suggett · Jul 27, 09:31 AM · #

  53. David Stone is on of the best CW’s in the country.

    — PalmerPolanski · Jul 27, 09:38 AM · #

  54. Who fucking cares? I still haven’t heard anything intelligent from him.

    — Billy Baloney · Jul 27, 10:08 AM · #

  55. Wait. David Stone is a copywriter??? Why is fucking copywriter acting like he’s an expert on interactive? Hahahaha. Ok…that explains everything.

    — Billy Baloney · Jul 27, 10:14 AM · #

  56. Billy. At least someone knows who I am.

    That’s 56. Keep going. 50 was the goal but I’ll take more.

    Because while you interactive types are wasting time debating me, or more accurately, just wasting time (and it’s been what? Three days now?) you know who has moved a step closer to world interactive domination. 3 days over a weekend? Hell. That’s time enough for an entire Pencil and Cannes Lions winning brand campaign to be developed—with dinner breaks.

    WORK.

    — David Stone · Jul 27, 10:33 AM · #

  57. Again…nothing intelligent that has anything to do with the topic at hand. No facts. No examples. No original thoughts or opinions. Nothing.

    — Billy Baloney · Jul 27, 12:08 PM · #

  58. One of the best in the country? Can we see some examples of your work David, maybe a link to a website? As a writer myself, I’m always up for looking at great work, seriously. If you really are that good, I can see why you’d be all over Crispin…there’s not a lot else for writers to do out here.

    — Paul Suggett · Jul 27, 02:54 PM · #

  59. Paul. Seriously. Don’t open up a can of worms. There are a LOT of great writers here. You’re insulting a lot of individuals right now. Just let it go. Especially if you’re using your real name. Don’t assume Denver is some cow town. That would be a bad assumption.

    The person who said that about me was overly lavish in their praise. It made me laugh ;-)

    Is that 58?

    — David Stone · Jul 27, 03:24 PM · #

  60. Billy. Check out any of the One Show Interactive books. Your teams aren’t showing up in there, bro’. Which doesn’t mean they’re not good shops, it just means they haven’t been recognized at this level. I see Sao Paolo, Munich, London, Sydney, Miami, Seattle, Madrid, Tokyo, San Fran, etc. And since this is considered one of the industry bars for interactive (along with Cannes and well— you know the rest), I think I have nothing else to say. And if it isn’t an example of an industry standard, then why is every top shop in the world trying to get into a show like this (including one of your chosen shops)? If you’re in some industry other than advertising, perhaps you use a different bar. However, in advertising, like it or not, the main shows are it.

    Don’t believe a copywriter though. We obviously don’t know a whole lot. Although I do see copywriter credits from time to time in interactive ;-) How they coattail, I don’t know but it happens. I even spied one on “Get the Glass” and “White Gold.” You’ve heard of those, right? Done by a former CU ad grad.

    — David Stone · Jul 27, 03:53 PM · #

  61. This is getting old. Go watch Mad Men. I herd its good.

    — PalmerPolanski · Jul 27, 04:44 PM · #

  62. I’m with you. It was old after the fourth or fifth post. Mad Men it is.

    — David Stone · Jul 27, 04:50 PM · #

  63. Michael Bolton won 2 grammies.

    — Billy Baloney · Jul 27, 04:59 PM · #

  64. David, that wasn’t the intention at all. As a writer myself, I am genuinely interested in other writers in town. But you’d have to admit, there is not a lot of solid work in town for writers. In London, I could throw a stone and hit someone looking for a copywriter. In Denver, the jobs are very few and far between. CreativeHotlist and TDE primarily have positions for designers. This is not an advertising town in the same way NY, Chicago, or San Fran is. Any good freelance work is usually scooped up by Jim Glynn. If you know different, let me know. But having been in town 7 years, I haven’t seen many opps. And I have a London background and a damned fine book if I say so myself.

    — Paul Suggett · Jul 27, 05:22 PM · #

  65. Jim Glynn’s pretty darn good. He’s scooping up work for a reason.

    Denver has seen a lot of out of towners come and go. You can come from wherever but you kind of have to prove it on this turf. Once you believe it’s an advertising town, you’ll be fine. Because the people you want to work with, know it’s an advertising town. Just show your stuff around and be nice.

    Show your book to the Egotist. Maybe they can help.

    If you’re writing like Neil French though, your options may be limited.

    — David Stone · Jul 27, 05:43 PM · #

  66. Well, in my opinion there aren’t enough sharp writers like Neil French around. So tired of all visual ads and puns. Yawn.

    — Paul Suggett · Jul 27, 05:51 PM · #

  67. Neil French is a legend but even Neil French did visual solution advertising from time to time.

    There’s probably only one agency in the country still winning consistently off well-crafted long copy. And you already know who that is.

    — David Stone · Jul 27, 06:01 PM · #

  68. Or have you thought of simply changing your name to Neil French? Aren’t a lot of people here who could recognize him. May get your foot in the door. But he was in the One Show a few years back so you might need copies of that work to pull it off. ;-)

    — David Stone · Jul 27, 06:15 PM · #

  69. I think I’m about 30 years too young to pull that stunt. And I hate cigars!

    — Paul Suggett · Jul 27, 06:55 PM · #