I admire ad agencies that actually launch their own branded products: it’s not only a cool way for agencies to build a brand on their terms, but it’s a great object lesson in running a business that lets them experience a client’s perspective.
So I was pleasantly surprised to see the folks from Seattle’s egg launching their own line of tomato sauces, Tomato Goodness, at a weekly farmer’s market in my neighborhood.
This wasn’t a group of interns working the tent on Saturday morning. Marty McDonald, Hilary Bromberg, and Jon Derum, senior execs at the agency, were all on hand to sell the fruits of their labor. egg focuses exclusively on sustainable brands and organizations, so it’s no surprise how they’ve sourced the ingredients for Tomato Goodness: Heirloom tomatoes from Billy’s Gardens in Tonasket, Washington, and other ingredients such as bacon, garlic and Merlot also come from organic farms in the area.
As I purchased my jar of Basil and Roasted Garlic tomato sauce, I could see that Tomato Goodness is definitely a labor of love for the folks at egg, even if it’s not a million-dollar idea. And that’s something more folks in advertising agencies should be empowered and encouraged to do.
