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Top Advertising Agency in San Francisco and Los Angeles

Feeling first.™

Human beings are remarkably capable animals. Yet we still make our decisions based on instinctual, emotional response before post-rationalizing the reasons for those decisions. Neuroscience (not to mention anthropology) lays it bare: we just don’t think as much as we think we think. Sorry, Descartes.

At DC, reaching people at that critical gut level is our business. By carving emotional connection out of data, and living, breathing concepts out of noise, we bond people to brands in deeper, more durable ways.

Your target will tell you they want the facts, but all they really want is the feeling.

rapidly edited collected of some of our work.

Distinct disciplines.
Integrated model.

While we call ourselves an advertising agency, we help clients in ways that deliberately stretch that definition. Across five key disciplines, clients can access distinct services based on their unique needs, or hire us for integrated campaign design, tapping into expertise across all teams.

Advertising

  • Campaign strategy
  • Broadcast and video
  • Print and outdoor
  • Digital

Branding

  • Brand strategy
  • Brand identity
  • UX design
  • Packaging

Media + Analytics

Social

  • Platform strategy
  • Paid and organic
  • Influencer

Experiential

  • Consumer activations
  • Live events
  • Mobile tours

Work + News

Her name in lights: our Adweek Rising Star.

For those of us that know Madeline Lambie, it’s not surprising to hear her described as a Rising Star. Along with her admirable writing chops, Madeline also flexes her skills as a singer, dancer, producer and nonprofit co-founder. Don’t call her a triple-threat, because it’s not enough, ya know, threats.

Portrait of a person with short dark hair and anchor beard mustache. They stare into the camera thoughtfully.

New face at the helm

Say hello to our new group creative director, Cristián Costa. He’ll be leading the UNDO account, continuing the work we’re proud to have done for the California Department of Public Health for over a decade.

A half gallon of Horizon Organic whole milk sits on a living room coffee table next to a half-full glass of milk and a few children’s alphabet blocks. The campaign line, “this milk means business” is the headline, below the Horizon Organic logo. Behind the type we see a child’s feet; she’s standing on the table.

Horizon Organic did not come to play.

In DC’s new campaign the organic dairy trailblazer takes nutrition as seriously as kids navigating a floor covered in make believe lava. That is to say: very, very seriously.

Director of brand strategy, Kelleen Peckham, holds the silver award for the Jay Chiat award presentation.

DC’s strategy team brings home an esteemed Jay Chiat Award

Duncan Channon’s “Nicotine Equals” campaign strategy, intended to awaken parents to the teen vaping epidemic, got the judges attention at this year’s 4A’s Jay Chiat Awards.

“We’ve changed!” says Big Tobacco

Guess what, all? The industry that’s responsible for more death and disease than any other and continues to peddle six trillion cigarettes a year is now your friend. Go figure.

A new spin on IPA packaging

Most IPA cans today look like they were designed by the dude that did the Iron Maiden albums. All skulls and green lightning, giving full testosterone and acne vibes. So when tasked with driving a new look for Golden Road’s Ride On series, we banged a uey.

Cover photo for a story about the Viator’s brand redesign. Included in the image are a barefoot 20-something female-presenting person in a pink tunic and mauve hijab. She’s walking in an empty hall with Middle Eastern architectural details. Also included is an image of a person in a red sari, ornate golden necklace and stack of wrist bangles. The image includes the brand’s new tagline “Hello, adventure

A wanderlust-worthy rebrand

Inspired by the shapes and colors of dream destinations, DC rebrands Viator for a new wave of planning-adverse adventurers.

R.J. Shaugnessy brought his signature style to capture the aloha energy in a photography shoot featuring all local talent and locations spanning the island. How cute are these people? Don’t you want to hang out with them in Hawaii and drink Kona Big Waves? 

Kona Big Wave goes even bigger

After a decade of leading creative for Kona Big Wave, DC’s “Bring the Aloha” campaign relaunches the brand for a broader audience, moving beyond its craft roots to a priority position in AB InBev’s premium beer portfolio.

a small plate of orange chicken sit in the lower half of the frame, next to a box of InnovAsian brand Orange Chicken. Above it, there is a square wooden plate with an adorable, smiling food-art dog made out of orange slides and black olives.

InnovAsian finds balance, and big results.

A blend of content creators and traditional photoshoots was the perfect recipe to increase InnovAsian’s engagement on social – without breaking the budget.

DC appoints first Managing Director, Kumi Croom

A game changer since her arrival six years ago, Kumi will lead account and project management and continue to shape DC’s culture and client relationships.

screenshot of article from Ad Age. Headline reads "California names Duncan Channon lead agency on $40 million opioid education campaign."

Empathy over stigma

DC is honored to have been selected by the state of CA to tackle one of the most challenging issues of our generation. And to be covered in AdAge.

Two men sitting side by side viewed at an angle. The man in the back is clean shaven, wears a yellow t-shirt and a black bucket hat and is leaning back with his eyes closed. Man in the forefront is leaning back looking at the camera with a slight smile and wears a patterned t-shirt, amber colored 70’s style sunglasses with a short afro and goatee. A large text overlay in bright yellow reads, “you golden?” and partially covers the rear man’s face.

This Golden Road work isn’t good

People always ask: You good? But that indicates a pretty baseline, “just okay” type of good. DC’s new campaign for Golden Road asks a question that aims a little higher from a city that does the same.

El Secreto esta en el balance

Nuestro nuevo comercial para la cerveza Mango Cart de Golden Road establece una conexión alegre entre la tradición Mexicana de bailar mientras se equilibra una cerveza abierta en la cabeza con el sabor de la deliciosa cerveza con infusión de mango de Golden Road.

Drink to the future

Organic wine industry pioneer, Bonterra Organic Estates, bolsters brand leader status with a future forward, fashionably chic campaign from DC.

Photo image of a young girl diving into the ocean with bubbles framing the bottom right and side of the image. There is another person’s leg with a swimming fin coming out from the bottom right side. A curved headline near the top left in white type reads, “Go dunk yourself.” and the white Outrigger O Icon is at the center bottom.

Voyaging past the reef

Ahead of their 75th anniversary, our friends at Outrigger Resorts asked us to help elevate the brand for a global stage.

Tattooed Chef Plant Based Pepperoni Pizza on top of vintage record player, hand is reaching for a slice of pizza from the left side. Copy in all caps large white letters reads: Farm to Whatever You Call A Table. Tattooed Chef logo, including illustration of a chef with red beanie, chef apron and tattooed arms that are crossed.

Plant-based partnership

After a competitive review, DC “inked” a deal to become social and digital AOR for Tattooed Chef, one of the country’s fastest growing plant-based food brands.

Helping Rosetta spread the word

Against competitive headwinds, DC reintroduces Rosetta Stone as the leader in deep, nuanced language learning with ads so cute you want to pinch them.

Animation still of person wearing a white shirt and bright green pants with one hand on hip, the other holding a cigarette straight up in the air with drawn smoke; Clio Health logo appeared at bottom right in black

Empathy wins

DC is honored to announce that our work for the California Tobacco Control Program to help smokers quit in an empathetic way has been recognized with a Clio Health award.

TikTok campaign breaks records

e.l.f. celebrates self-expression and individuality with beauty products for every #eyeslipsface through the most viral organic TikTok campaign ever created.

Image of Kardale, black male dancer, dancing in an open white button up shirt and black pants, doing moves on the floor in a white room with black floors

Hope and dance for foster kids

Our latest project for SFCASA is a short film featuring a former foster youth who tells his story through dance.

Coachella x Tattooed Chef

DC’s experiential team partnered with Tattooed Chef—bringing the brand’s edgy, purpose-driven ethos to life at Coachella’s 2022 return.

The Little Big Lie

Our new campaign for the California Tobacco Control Program calls out Big Tobacco on the cigarette butts polluting our Earth – and bodies – with harmful microplastics.

Foster kids above all

DC’s latest social impact campaign asks adults to ‘Show Up’ for foster kids.

Kona makes the playoffs

After eight great seasons, our winning Dear Mainland campaign makes its NFL playoff debut. Check out the brothers’ latest gameplan for a life well-lived.

Data Table and portraits of the team

Solving for data dissonance, DC rolls out Data + Tech Practice

With data as a critical asset for our agency and our clients, DC invests in the launch of a new team and proprietary analytics tool, the Table.™

Vaccinations, empathy, and equity

The “Let’s get to immunity” campaign, for the California Department of Public Health, counters COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy by meeting people where they are, and rooting every message in empathy and respect.

bright, multi-colored background featuring SweeTarts candy as a music equalizer. The SweeTarts logo and SWEET BEATS title sit on the left.

Eat to the beat with SweeTARTS

Launching today, the SweetBEATS mixer lets fans create musical loops, share them with friends, and enter for a chance to win a one-on-one virtual studio session with pop legend Christina Aguilera.

Three people stand together smiling at a carnival. One proudly shows the bandaid on their recently vaccinated arm and the other two hold colorful prizes they won at the carnival.

When the clinic’s a carnival

How do you convince a particularly hesitant group of Californians to get vaccinated for Covid-19? With free games, music, food, slushies and a great big Ferris wheel.

Two smiling people wearing makeup with long ponytails and matching tan tank tops holding eyebrow makeup products from e.l.f. The e.l.f. logo appears in the left corner and the words "brow besties, irl" are in the center on a white background.

Brow besties, IRL

To re-energize their brow line, e.l.f. rolled out a digital campaign with real-life besties and beauty influencers Roxette Arisa and Yesenia Hipolito, and celebrated with a fabulous dinner produced by DC.

Catching “Waves” with Kelly Slater

Fresh off an exclusive in Adweek, our latest work for Kona Brewing is ready to make waves all summer long. And this time surfing legend Kelly Slater is along for the ride.

Portrait of DC employee Kumi Croom. She is smiling warmly and wearing a dark sweater, posting against black and white Jacquard pattern wallpaper. The ADWEEK logo appears in the top left corner.

Croom talks director role with Adweek

DC is proud to announce Kumi Croom’s new role as DC’s first director of diversity and collaboration. Check out Kumi talking with Adweek about her goals and the progress she’s already helped to usher in.

Cut paper style animation of someone walking precariously through a row of tall cigarettes.

Animating anti-smoking

The spots are animated. The struggle is real. True tales of former smokers on the perilous path to quitting.

Medium close shot of someone laying on the grass, having just fallen out of a tree. A sharp gardening tool stick out of the ground, perilously close to their head. They are looking at it with concern.

InnovAsian: The Next Generation

DC is back with seconds of our award-winning, supply-chain-busting InnovAsian Occasion campaign now running on stations across the nation.

Kona Brewing

Not only did viewers rank the TV spots above those of market leaders Corona and Dos Equis, they gave them the third highest score for any alcohol-related ad that year. Which might be one good reason for a frothy 37% sales increase.

Group photo of 16 people sitting in front of a mural of faces, painted underneath plants that resemble hair. The people in the photo are all smiling and having a great time.

Beautyscape in the Bahamas

Created by DCLA for e.l.f., the fifth installment of the award-winning influencer program is now underway in the Bahamas. And garnering more heat than ever.

Two female presenting teens are at a table in a school library. One female with dark curly hair is sitting down with her back to the frame. The other is standing over the table with SweeTarts gummies in both hands and smiling.

SweeTARTS’ Be Both is back

After the sweet success of last year’s ‘Be Both’ launch, SweeTARTS is doubling down on the campaign to Gen Z with brand new work in market now — and more to come in 2021.

CBS x Alfred Coffee · Emmy Awards

DCLA partnered CBS Studios with Alfred Coffee to reach Emmy voters and garner support for Star Trek: Picard. The timely work tapped into the diversity and inclusion central to Gene Roddenberry’s original vision.

Action shot of a pink nike shoe as it hits the concrete. The person wearing the shoe is running. A pink Rakuten logo appears above the shoe as if it popped out from her shoe indicating the runner is a Rakuten user.

Rakuten

Loyalty or discount program advertising often dwells in the downscale world of the coupon clipper — a turnoff to savvier online shoppers. Our strategy was to present Rakuten as every bit as premium as the brands it offered rebates on.

StubHub

Even the mild-mannered have something inside that drives them wild. And thanks to StubHub that wild thing is busting out all over.

Gap · Dress Normal

Gap asked us to build consideration and generate trial for their newly launched “Dress Normal” brand platform. Thirty influential Instagram photogs helped us do just that.

This way to health insurance

Today marks the launch of our first campaign for Covered California as part of a five-year, $400-million effort to help all Californians get the health insurance they need.

Kettle Brand

The “Stirring the Pot” work celebrates Kettle Brand’s counterculture legacy and all those that zig when others zag.

A gold beer can with the black and gold designed Brewlab label on a white background. The label is fully rolled out as an image so you can see all the design elements and text that appears on the label. The label is black and the text is gold and white.

Redhook Brewlab

Craft beer is like indie music. If you get too popular, you’re no longer cool. Just ask Redhook. In the early ’80s, they took off like a rocket, Anheuser Busch came calling and the brand was labeled a sellout. “Budhook!” the beer nerds snickered.

Flavors Hook Kids

Evoking moments all parents remember; watching their kids find their favorite foods. Set in stark contrast with teens taking their first flavored steps into addiction.

Upwork

As a global network of freelance talent, Upwork needed to overcome their target’s gig-economy skepticism.

Nabela Noor poses with her e.l.f. Lipstick as if she is applying it. She's dressed in all pink with gold accessories and full on hair and make-up glam. In the background is greenery with the same gold accents.

Nabela Noor for e.l.f.

DCLA created a can’t-miss launch event for Bangladeshi-American sensation Nabela Noor’s collaboration with e.l.f. Cosmetics.

Gap

With the Be Bright campaign, we secured the rights for Gap to be the official concert tee at the summer’s hottest music festivals.

A diverse group of young adults pose and smile in front of the universal studios lifesize logo in Orlando, Florida.

Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando leveraged DCX’s stable of influencers to reach the difficult-to-reach teen and tween audience — and succeeded 40 million times over.

Black and white photo of a group of Golden State Warriors basketball players sitting on the sidelines. They are laughing and poking good fun at each other. The team’s logo is in the top left corner in golden yellow and on the bottom right corner is text that reads “game recognize game” but the second “game” is upside down.

Golden State Warriors

One of the greatest teams ever assembled was just about to leave the city that supported them through thick and thin for 47 years. How do they say good-bye?

Esurance

To keep growing, this pioneering online car insurer, which had catered to a younger demo, needed to persuade older, more discerning consumers of its stability, reliability and humanity.

female presenting person wearing teal shirt and white e.l.f. branded face mask, holding orange pumpkin while sitting inside pop-up vehicle with purple sparkly wall behind her with the words "eyes lips face" in white.

e.l.f. 2020 Halloween activation

Duncan Channon’s LA team kept the halloween spirit alive by bringing a spooky holiday pop-up straight to beauty influencers’ homes.

Female identified person with short-cropped brown hair, holding a baby to her chest. DC and Covered California Logos overlay the image on left and right, respectively.

Covered CA on Adweek’s cover

DC is thrilled to announce that we were awarded the five-year, $400-million Covered CA account. We are resolute in helping at this crucial time when more Californians need coverage than ever.

“They can’t take your ballot”

At a time of unprecedented voter suppression, the mission of Vote From Home 2020 is more essential than ever. Our new “Suppress This” campaign helps them get ballots into the hands of disenfranchised voters of color. You can help, too.

Beautyscape influencers launch e.l.f. collection

It’s a beautiful day at DCLA with the launch of the e.l.f. Cosmetics Retro Paradise collection — the new collection from e.l.f.’s Beautyscape winners Alissa Holmes, Diana Curmei, Elicia Aragon, Jessa Green and Valeria Loren.

Nicotine equals brain poison. Two images in a grid. Image to the left is the campaign example featuring two male presenting teens with their heads down smoking a vape pen with a copy overlay that reads Nicotine equals brain poison. The right image is the gold Clio award on a black background.

Nicotine = Brain Poison = Clio

Our work for CTCP has awakened parents to the teen vaping epidemic and won a slew of awards in the process (not nearly as important, but nice). The latest is that most venerable of ad accolades: the Clio.

Female presenting influencer posing for the camera in a sleek white blazer and leather black pants. She is confident and raises her hand to perfect her long brown hair that is styled in a middle part and she's wearing make-up that accentuates her strong features. She's in front of a mirror with a table with SGX NYC products.

SGX NYC · #hairgoals

SGX NYC wanted to increase awareness around winning two Allure Best of Beauty Awards and reinforce the brand’s positioning with cost-conscious consumers looking for premium products. We hit the bullseye with three well-known #hairgoals influencers.

Birds eye view over a male presenting young adult on the fire escape playing a guitar. Next to him is a notepad and pen and lush green plants creep into the frame. He appears relaxed as he plays his guitar.

Citi · Citigrammers

Citi wanted to increase awareness and favorability on social media, particularly within the music and dining categories. We assembled a team of influential visual artists to create the sort of shareable content the brand couldn’t.

Diverse group of individuals and posing for the camera during the Coachella Music Festival. They are all self expressive through their make-up and fashion choices. Their individuality shines through as they each pose in their own unique way.

e.l.f. Cosmetics · Coachella

e.l.f. wanted to launch Beauty Shield, an all-new skincare line powered with antioxidants and SPF to help protect your skin against environmental aggressors. DCLA provided the perfect testing ground.

Grid image of 20 US employees on video conference call together. They are diverse in their age and their genders. They all appear smiling and some chatting like they are familiar with each other and enjoy working together.

Cotteleer in Campaign US

DC’s chief experience officer speaks with Campaign about the virtual world and how COVID-19 has actually brought DC’s SF and LA offices closer.

A group of male presenting individuals are sitting on a living room couch laughing and enjoying a meal together. They appear to be enjoying quality time together over a nice meal. There are takeout boxes on the coffee table.

Grubhub

While the competition focused on transaction and technology, Grubhub really understood the near magical moment that occurs when the “food’s here.”

Image headline reads: One Juul Pod Contains the same amount of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. The words “I just smoke at parties.” is written several times with words “at parties” crossed out so it reads, “I just smoke.” Two people are sharing a e-cigarette. They appear intoxicated and dazed.

California Tobacco Control Social Smoking

Daily smoking has been on the decline for decades and yet casual smoking is actually on the rise. How do we get at-risk groups to see social smoking for what it is: plain old dangerous, unhealthy smoking.

ADWEEK. A scene from the Disney movie Frozen. Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and Sven are posing on a purple background.

Cotteleer talks COVID-19 in Adweek

As we seek to chart our way through the uncharted, DC’s Amy Cotteleer shares her thoughts on brands’ best course of action during the pandemic.

Grid image with two images. On the left is the Udemy logo, a burgundy background with a big letter “U” in white. The image on the right is a female presenting person in their twenties. She has several deserts in around her as she is sitting at a table with a slicing knife. She appears to be in mid sentence as if she is demonstrating something on the topic of baking.

Udemy

DC developed a stylish back-to-school look for this growing learning platform. A new brand identity and comprehensive visual system celebrated the diversity of teachers and students and brought humanity to a previously transactional-feeling platform.

Female presenting person with blonde hair and beige shirt poses for the camera on her couch holding a black cat with yellow eyes. She is smiling and the cat appears calm and happy in her arms.

e.l.f. Cosmetics · Cruelty-free

To promote e.l.f. as a vegan brand, we tapped five beauty influencers known for their animal activism. Incredible images were created, important causes were supported and sales were spiked.

A female presenting individual poses in front of a printed background of giant e.l.f lipsticks. She is wearing black denim jeans, boots, a black top and a camo jacket.

e.l.f. Cosmetics · Christian Siriano

Designer Christian Siriano has been leading the charge for diversity in the world of A-list fashion. So who better to partner with a cosmetics brand that also celebrates beauty in all its forms?

A mother and daughter are sitting at a booth inside a classic looking camper van. They are wearing matching red checkered flannels and a tan vest. They each have the same Innovasian meal in front of them. In the window of the camper is a giant bear that appears to want in on their tasty meal. The mother is giving her daughter the side eye as if the bear doesn’t exist.

InnovAsian

Chinese frozen food brand, InnovAsian, was languishing with low awareness and living in the long, chilly shadow of category king, PF Chang’s. Fix that, they said.

Amy Cotteleer poses for a headshot in front of black and white vintage wallpaper. Below her image in red with white text reads “40 over 40 campaign”

40 over 40

Amy Cotteleer was tapped by Campaign US for its annual digital 40 over 40 list. The honor is bestowed upon those at the forefront of digital transformation.

Nicotine: the teen nightmare

Nicotine is a neurotoxin whose changes to the teen brain could be permanent. And that’s what our campaign sets out to communicate.

A woman in a floral dress and long curly hair poses in front of a wall of greenery and white flowers. She has a huge smile on her face.

Charlotte Russe · #CTGIRLSQUAD

Through targeted organic and paid social along with in-store announcements, we assembled the ultimate squad to help launch Charlotte Russe’s “New Beautiful” brand platform.

An energetic graphic design centers a bag of SweeTARTS candy. The background of the design is red with a lighter red lightning bolt. In the center of the image is a skateboard, ballet slippers, and a bookbag. The book bag is open and the SweeTARTS candy sits in the bag.

How sweet (and also tart) it is

It’s not just the sugar talking when we say that we’re so fired up about our new client: iconic candy brand and childhood favorite, SweeTARTS.

Three young professionals sit at a conference table and appear to be on a business call. One of the professionals has her hand on the conference phone as if she just muted the call. Another young professional looks like she was speaking but was interrupted by the one pressing mute. In the background the third young professional sits concerned with his chin resting on his hand. He appears to pick up on the body language but not engage.

Keepin’ it real in HR

HR is about helping real people. The H is for human, remember? So why does so much HR advertising feel so unreal?

The one and only Steph Curry dats’up a fan as he walks off the court. He’s in his classic white warriors uniform and it appears he is breaking for halftime during a busy game. In the background you can spot other players, fans and staff members.

Buy stuff, get Steph

Rakuten is back with the latest installment of the “Power of R” campaign, this time featuring a relatively well-known professional basketball player.

A couple locals go national

The two lovable locals that anchor Kona Brewing’s Dear Mainland campaign are about to hit the court and the big time in a series of new spots running for the first time nationally during this year’s March Madness.

A woman walks into a small light filled living room with a beverage in her hand. The room is quaint with lots of windows inviting the lush green plants to take up space in the frame. There is a beige couch with a salmon pillow and on the floor is a patterned light green rug.

Citi · ThankYou® Premier Card

Citibank asked us to create social content touting the many travel benefits of their redefined Premier card. And half a million YouTube views later, awareness was up nearly 20%.

A hallway in a black room with neon lights leads to a neon e.l.f. sign. The vibrant colors light up the frame and the distinct shades of purples, yellows, greens and pinks reflect on the black laminate flooring. Lips, a lightning bolt, eye and spaceship are other neon lights in different colors that surround the centered e.l.f. Logo.

Jkissa collab with e.l.f.

Known for embracing true individuality, DCLA identified Jkissa as the ideal person for e.l.f.’s next big cosmetics collaboration.

Playing the name game with InnovAsian

These four 15-second spots use rhymes that play with the catchphrase “InnovAsian occasion” to help consumers better remember the brand when navigating the crowded freezer aisle.

Rakuten makes Grammy debut

The Japanese e-commerce giant dropped its first ever North American campaign during last night’s Grammys. Directed by acclaimed duo Vania & Muggia, the TV introduces Rakuten as a premium lifestyle brand and is the introduction of a months-long, DC-led brand overhaul.

Upwork is happening today

Oh, it’s happening alright: the new campaign for freshly IPO’d Upwork launches this very morning and portrays an experience familiar to us all in the workaday world: the “oh shit, how am I going to get this finished?” moment.

Citibank · Double Cash

Citibank wanted to jump awareness of their new Double Cash credit card. So we enlisted the help of YouTube superstar devinsupertramp.

Pottery Barn

DCLA enlisted three influential NYC photographers to shoot Pottery Barn pieces and bring some 212 cred to the launch of the brand’s new flagship.

Universal appeal

Our assignment was to convince teens and tweens that Universal was the “what’s next” vacation for them and their families.

Shiseido relaunches

What better venue to make a grand re-entrance than Fashion Week? Shiseido’s pop-up experience drove huge engagement, reintroducing the brand in style.

Lagos Fine Jewelry

For the launch of Smart Caviar, the first fine-jewelry bracelet for the Apple Watch, Lagos wanted to reach a wide range of luxury consumers and highlight the versatility of the bracelet.

The tobacco industry has a kids menu

Today marks the launch of DC’s latest campaign for the California Tobacco Control Program. The work exposes the tobacco industry’s latest deception: using flavors and products that masquerade as snacks and flash drives to hook kids when their brains are most susceptible to addiction.

Hey World! Upwork’s here to help

DC’s first campaign for Upwork positions the freelancer network as a movement of motivated people who are here to roll up collective sleeves and make stuff happen.

DC in the World Series

As part of a long-term partnership with the MLB, the campaign for SU2C challenges the common perception that the only way to beat cancer involves one monolithic cure.

Not just a health system, a health squad

When you’re sick, injured or facing a frightening diagnosis, you want more than just clinical excellence. You want a support system. You want a squad. And John Muir Health has your back.

New TV and a billboard full of butts

In its latest effort for the California Tobacco Control Program, DC shifts focus from the health dangers of cigarettes to the environmental dangers of cigarette butts. The “Come Clean” campaign features new TV and a billboard filled with 12,000 toxic butts.

Ad Age Agency of the Year — again

DC brought home a Small Agency of the Year award for the second year running.

DC dishes up So Delicious

DC launched a brand new campaign for brand new client, So Delicious. The inaugural work emphasizes taste to challenge the misperception that choosing non-dairy somehow equals non-delectable.

Anne sounds off on The Drum

Our own ECD Anne Elisco-Lemme is featured in the latest edition of The Drum’s Beyond The Brief with words of wisdom for all you creatives out there looking to make your mark.

Kettle wins Campaign of the Year

For the second year in a row, DC brought home top honors at the sfBIG awards. Last year, it was our anti-vaping work on behalf of CTCP. This year, it was, in part, our pro-marijuana work on Kettle chips. Big thanks to sfBIG for the kind acknowledgement.

Kona uses social media to get us off social media

Our Hawaiian brethren are back to help us haoles sort out our skewed work/life balance.

Talking community at SXSW

DCX’s Amy Cotteleer and Mara McCune from e.l.f. discussed the development of the cosmetic company’s lauded micro-influencer program, Beautyscape.

A group of male presenting individuals are sitting on a living room couch laughing and enjoying a meal together. They appear to be enjoying quality time together over a nice meal. There are takeout boxes on the coffee table.

Grubhub delivers dose of reality

To capture the genuine excitement and community a shared meal delivers, DC steered clear of LA and shot in Austin, Texas, with real friends. No actors. No scripts. No sets.

Crunch time for Kettle Brand

At a time when wannabe competitors are trying to get on their natural chip tip, Kettle Brand is answering back with an irreverent new ad campaign. The “Stirring the Pot” work celebrates the brand’s counterculture legacy and all those that zig when others zag.

Retail therapy

Cash back from Ebates for the normal online shopping you were already going to do? No catch? We can understand your skepticism. That’s why our new campaign tackles that disbelief head on by setting the spots in Skeptics Anonymous therapy sessions (a group some skeptical people doubt actually exists).

Roller derby, feline affection and John Muir Health

The latest evolution of the Be Heard campaign for John Muir Health arrives on your TV set and computer screen.

Poop

What better word to sum up our feelings on this day that, at 44, our Amy has been taken.

Really big small news

We are so thrilled to have been named silver Small Agency of the Year in the west that we’re not even going to try and play it cool.

“Wake Up” wins North American Effie

DC’s “Wake Up” campaign snared a silver at the 2016 Effies, the pre-eminent industry award for marketing that drives measurable success.

Kona Brewing

Kona bros offer miracle FOMO cure

The loveable Hawaiian brothers who’ve helped lift Kona Brewing into the top ten of US craft beer are back for the third year of D/C’s “Dear Mainland” campaign.

Campaign of the Year for “Wake Up”

DC’s campaign for the California Tobacco Control Program took home the top BIG Star prize over a stellar field.

Vaporware

D/C has just launched the second year of the State of California’s effort to educate citizens about the potential perils of vaping nicotine.

DC site takes top Pixel Award

Thirty-two industry judges bestowed top prize on D/C in the non-profit category of the 10th annual Pixel Awards.

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Congrats to our friends and clients Staffan Terje and Umberto Gibin on last night’s official opening in San Francisco of their latest culinary masterpiece Volta.

Diamond of California is cooking

From TV to digital to print to a partnership with the Cooking Channel and Chef Kelsey Nixon, Diamond of California is serving up a complete creative feast in its first campaign from D/C.

“Turn Down” helps DriveTime turn up

Tina, Tara and the green rescue van are at it again in three new spots for DriveTime — including (if you’re paying attention) one bumpin’ a lil “Turn Down for What.”

Sephora

To celebrate a grand opening at The Grove, we helped Sephora surprise and delight consumers with our ‘Let’s Beauty Together’ mini-makeovers.

Stride Rite embraces the chaos

The world may change, but the joyful pandemonium of childhood remains a constant. Being no strangers to that joy ourselves, D/C was excited to be tapped to work on a brand refresh for Stride Rite. The new work encourages parents both to embrace the chaos and come prepared.

Still Blowing Smoke

After besting more than 100 agencies, our first task for the California Tobacco Control Program was to address the arrival of e-cigarettes.

California debuts ads to counter e-cigs

Twenty-five years after launching the first anti-smoking advertisements in the state, the California Department of Public Health today premiered a series of television, digital, and outdoor ads in a new campaign called “Wake Up,” as part of its educational effort to inform the public about the dangers of e-cigarettes.

Making up with KVD Beauty

Inspired by KVD Beauty’s tireless support of other makeup artists, the site is deeply collaborative, with products sitting side-by-side with user-generated photos and illustrations.

Better Business Beetle

Definitive facts.

1st-person on the 3%

Last week, The 3% Conference kicked off its third year in San Francisco and Duncan/Channon was not only proud to host their VIP Party at the Tip (see above), but several of us were able to attend and be inspired. A recap of some of our favorite moments are below.

D/C launches site inspired by 3% Conference

Careers in advertising are long and hard. (That’s what she said.) To coincide with this year’s 3% Conference, we launched thatswhat3said.com, a place where women in advertising can give advice to female creatives who are just starting out. Visit the site, share it widely, and add to it.

D/C tops in fashion & beauty

We never doubted it, but now the OMMA award from MediaPost has confirmed it, bestowing top prize on the wildly social Sephora/Formula X website in the Fashion/Beauty/Cosmetics category, an effort in which, and we immodestly quote, “outstanding content, visual design and user interface create recurring value for users.”

Episode II: Return of the Rescue Squad

Late last year, DriveTime, the number-one used car chain for the credit-strapped, introduced a new TV campaign called “Rescued.” Today, the campaign rolls on with three new spots playing across the country. Ride along with our intrepid rescuers as they put the fun back into car-buying for three more lucky abductees.

Nintendo

We had Nintendo send 50 consoles to creators we selected for their talent and love of gaming. They, in turn, made 50 movies about the Wii U and self-published and championed across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Gotcha! Not at StubHub

At StubHub, the only surprise is at the end of this new commercial. The campaign highlights that scoring good tickets at StubHub couldn’t be easier — or less aggravating — because there are never extra fees.

Tahoe wants to know what team you’re on?

As we all know, the world is made up of two kinds of people: those who play for #teamsummer and those on the roster of #teamwinter. In a new spot and outdoor launching today, longtime D/C client Tahoe South introduces the audience to the fun peeps and fantastic creatures of Team Summer in action at the world’s most beautiful lake.

Dear Mainland

In this integrated campaign for Hawaii’s first and biggest craft brewer, a pair of Hawaiian brothers comment on such “common mainlander customs” as multi-tasking, while inviting viewers to take a breath.

For those about to rock, call Ticket Oak

The coolest deciduous dude you’ll ever meet, Ticket Oak always has tickets to the hottest games and concerts, is a member of the Advertising Hall of Fame and, in his off-time, loves to ride a Chestnut mare.

DC media is officially excellent

At the American Association of Advertising Agencies’ annual conference in LA yesterday, Duncan/Channon took home the O’Toole Award for Media Excellence in the Small Agency category for StubHub.

John Muir Health

Women call the shots (no pun) when it comes to family medical decisions. And women are wired to communicate. That’s where the Be Heard campaign started.

In all candor: new John Muir Health ads

The next evolution of the Be Heard campaign begins rolling out. The three new spots created by DC and directed by Aaron Ruell, showcase the delightfully close relationships John Muir Health patients develop with their doctors.

Formula X for Sephora

The breakthrough website — the first social network built for nail fans — puts the fun in functional.

Nailed it: Formula X for Sephora

With millions of mani photos and polish pins across Instagram and Pinterest, and no other brand harnessing this active audience of online nail mavens, D/C saw the opportunity to create a branded, social environment where nail fanatics could express themselves, get inspired and shop relevant products.

DriveTime saves the day

Two hyper-enthusiastic, hopelessly dorky young women in a homemade rescue vehicle are the heroes of the new D/C-created campaign for America’s number-one used car dealer for people with credit issues.

Today’s StubHub news: T.O. gets naked & other abominations

If, like us, you can’t get enough of Ticket Oak, this Q3 roundup is for you.

Marqeta

It’s a complex story and has to be delivered with authority, concision and style.

Sephora / Marc Jacobs Beauty

When fashion icon Marc Jacobs made his move into cosmetics, he picked Sephora for a partner. And Sephora picked DC. And the pressure was on to match up to the master’s incomparable style.

“Well, I think Forbes is weird!” says weirdly defensive tree

As good a story as a big deciduous talking tree could ask for, today’s Forbes article explains that StubHub’s Ticket Oak is an extremely hard worker.

CA says Tahoe South’s just their type

Communication Arts has honored Duncan/Channon in this year’s prestigious Typography Annual for design of the new Tahoe South identity for the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

“I’m a puppet, damnit!” exclaims misunderstood talking tree

People can be insensitive, it’s true. So on the occasion of this laudatory write-up of the Ticket Oak’s diabolically clever maker, Anatomorphex, in North Hollywood, it seemed only right for D/C, as the tree’s diabolical inventor, to post this as a reminder.

Tahoe South

Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority takes the plunge on a new name, a brand overhaul and fresh advertising, embracing its rep as the lake’s wild side.

From small acorns: Ticket Oak goes nuts

It’s the biggest campaign yet for StubHub and its lovable/creepy spokes-tree, conjured up last year by D/C.

Prepare the shark-jumping ramp!

If you are a regular reader of this humble website then it’s entirely possible you’re mumbling to yourself: “Geez Louise, enough with the StubHub Ticket Oak already.”

Blurb

Amid the glut of cheapo, on-demand books, this company stands for design, craftsmanship and beauty.

Blurb finds its own books

A comprehensive rebrand and the “Find Your Book” campaign Duncan/Channon created for Blurb have garnered a second year of industry accolades, the latest honors being coveted slots in the Brand New Awards and Communication Arts Advertising Annual.

Ticket Oak eats a fairy!

The Ticket Oak returns with a Halloween surprise for all of you would-be ticketholders and treehuggers.

D/C gets happy

This fall, after galvanizing the British public, the happy egg co. is coming to the US. And, following a pitch, they hired a truly free-range agency – the uncageable Duncan/Channon – to develop a digital brand in the US.

On the plus side: D/C delivers new ID, site for shopping innovator

Marqeta, the company that’s reinventing shopping for both consumers and businesses, today launched its new brand identity and website, created by the Duncan/Channon design and UX team.

Back by popular demand/outrage

Yep, he’s back. After a triumphant premiere this spring the oddly loveable, endearingly terrifying Ticket Oak returns and, this time, he’s doling out primo football tickets.

Be Heard: The Sequel

DC is back for round two of its groundbreaking campaign for respected healthcare brand, John Muir Health. Smashing the mold of standard medical marketing, the “Be Heard” campaign lightheartedly taps into the female target’s need to really be listened to — especially when it comes to their family’s health and well-being.

StubHub goes out on a limb

Great tickets don’t grow on trees. Or do they? Enter The Ticket Oak, the 30-foot centerpiece and star of the latest integrated campaign from StubHub.

D/C exposed in Communication Arts!

Finally, Communication Arts, the bible of the design, advertising and interactive design world, has ripped the veil from Duncan/Channon. In a 10-page investigation within CA’s Interactive Annual, reporter Sam McMillan reveals the shady background and shocking practices of the agency that was “born to rock” — from its “temple of guanxi” bar, wherein take place lurid lectures on “teledildonics” and concerts known as “Roofies,” to its music label Tip Records, home to the inexplicable Gary Wilson, to its “real account people, media people and planning infrastructure.” Shudder.

Gap “Be Bright”

Once a Gap staple, the classic tee’s luster was fading. Our answer was to connect their tees to another classic: the concert tee.

Tahoe South goes wild

Is there any advertising more rote and shopworn than winter ski advertising? There’s the requisite photo of some dude who skies better than you ever will leaping from a cornice that’s probably not even in bounds to a slope with more fresh powder than you’ll ever see. Attach bad-ass headline. Ship.

D/C makes a splash with Tahoe rebrand

he Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, which is tasked with promoting the south side, hired D/C for a complete rebrand. Eight months later, client and agency unveiled the new brand and an entirely new name for the destination — Tahoe South.

Hard Rock

Work that earned top prize in the global Rebrand 100 competition, awarded for the combination of creative and strategy, and helped turn around a brand that turned rock stars into raving fans.

Gap · 1969 Pico de Gap

Never underestimate the power of taco trucks to change the world — or at least the minds of fickle, fashionable millennials.

Farrier rolls on: One Show Pencil added to Creative Review, Addy honors

Blurb blast-off

REBRAND 100 redux: this time for Esurance

Duncan/Channon revisits the winners’ circle at the 2011 REBRAND 100 Global Awards, picking up a Merit for the rebranding of Esurance.

100 Best in Advertising

Graphis magazine has honored D/C’s campaign for Sanita, the original Danish clog, with a gold award in its 2011 “100 Best in Advertising” annual. Founded in Zurich in 1944, Graphis is one of the world’s most influential graphic arts publications. The competition was judged by a prestigious international jury whose US contingent included Rich Silverstein. All of which ain’t exactly chopped liver, a D/C spokesperson was heard to remark.

Bare Escentuals

Our Rethink the Quickie Tour for beauty brand Bare Escentuals brought fast, fun and free “makeunders” to busy women across America.

Esurance rebrand launches with TV, cinema, interactive, OOH

Seven months in the making, Duncan/Channon’s new work for Esurance, one of the country’s leading car insurers, debuted today all over the damn place.

New wine, old bottle

The challenge for Farrier, the new luxe libation from Kendall-Jackson, was to bring in a sense of history, terroir and romance without dragging out the cliched oak barrels or little ole winemaker.

CA taps D/C

In a well-deserved tribute to the agency’s interactive team, Duncan/Channon is being honored in this year’s Communications Arts Interactive Annual for the Hard Rock Booth Interactive.

Ship-shape

Fifty-year-old Interasia was purchased by one of the world’s largest shipping firms, which wanted to reignite the enthusiasm of prospects, customers and its young employees.

Hygge. Go ahead, you can say it.

The manufacturers of the original Danish clog, Sanita, have been making shoes for the US market for years. But now they’ve decided to sell them under their own brand.

Hard Rock collection collects Webby honors

The groundbreaking, Deep-Zoom-able Hard Rock Memorabilia website and widget have been designated an Official 2009 Webby Honoree in two categories: Music and Best Use of Photography.

Rose Langford

Dunning Duncan/Channon.

What’s going on over there?

Drunk dialing DC.

D/C helps big chicken crow

Booty

Greatest gift ever from the comedy gods.

Larry

This one we never quite figured out.

D/C tops REBRAND 100 for Hard Rock branding, design

To signify dorkishness, the 2001 movie Ghost World, set among contemporary twenty-somethings, clothed a character in a Hard Rock t-shirt. One measure of how far this 30-year-old brand had fallen. So D/C’s work started by clarifying and then communicating a new brand strategy to a confused rank-and-file.

That’s right, upside-down and backwards: Vertigo ID

Hello, Viva

Searching for Viva.

National TV

Well, we did cut this one short.

Happy Thanksgiving

Speaking of gifts from god.

How ya doin’?

Gangster-type just wanted to know.

DriveTime

In a world of no — no approval, no loan, no car — it’s DriveTime to the rescue. Two wildly enthusiastic young women deliver automotive salvation. And 38% more sales.

Diamond of California

Diamond Nuts was stuck. Stuck in a commodity category. Stuck with low brand awareness. And stuck with a 30% premium price tag. Our mission was not only to fix the awareness problem, but to justify that premium price.

Diversity has become a buzzword

We are invested in more than that. We’re not only dedicated to hiring people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, but also those with different identities and expressions, disabilities, ages and body sizes. And we’re focused on retaining them by fostering a culture of belonging, safety and open dialogue. While we pride ourselves on creating effective work for our clients, we do so knowing full well our role in shaping culture. So we see it as our responsibility and obligation to ensure we’re producing content without excluding segments of the population or perpetuating stereotypes.

Awards

Our Internet overlords tell us you guys all search for “award-winning ad agency,” so we put a sampling of said awards across disciplines right here to appease their robots. View all awards

SF Addys best in show

Best media plan, O’Toole award

Global best of show

Campaign of the year

Winner

Best in show, Modern Healthcare Awards

Image award

Design and interactive

Advertising and interactive annuals

Top 10 digital agencies

Social media leader award

Campaign of the year

Best use of social media

Influencer program, Gold

Promotional top shop

Client experience

In over two decades, we’ve worked on nearly every category in the known universe. Below are current clients along with blasts from the past. If you don’t see a particular category, ask us. Our designers could only bear to put so many logos.

Contact Us

New business

NOËL JOHNSON
Dir of marketing and client engagement
njohnson@duncanchannon.com
415 306 9237

 

Press

ADRIENNE SCORDATO
Director of media relations
press@duncanchannon.com

 

Jobs, creative

TINA MONTEMAYOR
Dir of creative talent acquisition + equity
tmontemayor@duncanchannon.com
415 306 9282

 

Jobs, general

ALLISON BART
Director of people
abart@duncanchannon.com
415 306 9203