Have Philosophy Will Travel

Given that I am from Omaha, and having plied my trade in several small markets, I always appreciate when the advertising press looks in on the excellent work being done far from Madison Avenue. Communications Arts does precisely that in its current issue, choosing to feature Indianapolis agency, Young & Laramore.

Shiel Sexton headquarters, Indianapolis, IN

The caption for the above piece reads:

"It began as a logo-and-letterhead project for a construction contractor. As we worked with them, we came to realize that they were a lot more than number crunchers in hardhats: they were creative entrepreneurs and kindred spirits. We eventually developed a system of logos, inspired by the materials they work in, which culminated in this work: a landmark three-story sculptural representation of the spirit of their company and its mission." -Charlie Hopper, VP/Creatve Director

Y&L is the brainchild of David Young and Jeff Laramore, who met in 1979 while visiting an art gallery in Chicago. Tiffany Meyers, who penned the CA feature describes Young thusly:

"Young—who references James Joyce, Vermeer and epistemology in one breath—is that rare breed of creative leader who managed to marry a vigorous intellectual life with business. Every ad Y&L produces is built on his belief that marketing is applied philosophy. “As a student,” says Young, who earned a philosophy degree from Indiana University, “I learned that the opinions I’d grown up with were sloppy opinions, and philosophy swept that away. In advertising, I also couldn’t start with an opinion and work in that direction. I have to wipe away everything that exists and instead build up from zero, gathering facts and building arguments from them.”