I’ve always believed that ad agencies are way too generalized: that they don’t have a point of view or specialty, whether it’s the type of work they do or clients they pursue.
My guess is that the new Dallas-based Vice Squad Agency won’t have that problem.
Pegasus News has more:
Gambling, Alcohol and the Adult Industry comprise an enormous portion of our economy, yet there is not a single advertising agency catering to their needs – until now. We believe there are vast opportunities to both create solid creative work and help businesses in these sectors reach their full potential. Furthermore, many companies in “vice”-related industries haven’t had the benefit of professional marketing services and stand to see dramatic increases in sales and profits by utilizing marketing tactics utilized by mainstream companies.
I’ve worked on some of this stuff, so I’ll be interested in how the Vice Squad Agency fares. I found that clients in these types of businesses, on a personal level, tend to be very, uh, ethically-challenged. Which can really try your patience. On the other hand, many of them have loads of cash and are all too happy to spend it on marketing, which is a very good thing in profit-starved agencies.
there is not a single advertising agency catering to their needs
Wrong! There are loads of agencies feasting on these type of clients.
On a side note, when I worked in Salt Lake City, the Mormon-owned shops wouldn’t take on “sin” clients, which made for a terrific freelance funnel for sinners like me.
We call it “dark” marketing.
Enough said!
SRP
Lots of agencies have “feasted” on the ethically challenged clients, but few if any have specialized in that. And none have been so bold as to position themselves as Vice Squad Agency has done.
I too have worked on Alcohol and Tobacco. I don’t so much have an issue with alcohol clients. Tobacco clients are wraiths bearing suitcases full of money.
Thank you for posting this up! We definitely are aware of the inherent risks of working with non-traditional clients. But being able to write off all the nefarious shit we do anyway makes it all worthwhile.
Looks like the aren’t doing too damn bad, the just landed House of Blues. Weird that it isn’t a strip club or something along those lines.
http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2008/oct/09/dallas-based-vice-squad-agency-signs-live-nation/
Not suprised. The first Adult Oriented VC firm was welcome on the NYSE (Adult Vest) this year. This is one of the largest industries in America today and has enough cash that it doesn’t need to be bailed out.