Tooting My Own Horn...
Winner
Dig CommunicationsAn agency that was founded in 2004 with one client and $850,000 in revenue, Dig Communications has grown into a $6.2 million firm with high-profile clients such as MillerCoors, The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, and Solo. Dig's “strong financials” were part of what impressed the judges and earned it this honor.
The 37-person firm, headquartered in Chicago, with additional offices in San Francisco and New York, increased revenue by 23% in the past year, surpassing its goal of 20%, something it attributes to strong organic growth with core clients. The agency also added 15 new clients over the past year, including Bally Total Fitness, Elations, Peroni, Dress Barn, and Verve Wireless.
Dig's main philosophy is to put its clients first. This is certainly not a unique sentiment, but it is something made quite apparent by the involvement of Dig's employees in the organizations that matter most to its clients. For example, Dig employees are involved in the Beer Institute and National Beer Wholesalers Association, the National Confectioners Association, and the Renewable Fuels Association.
That synergy with client goals also extends to charitable efforts. The agency contributes most of its time and resources to its clients' charities, including Prevent Child Abuse America for Wrigley; Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure with CouponCabin; and multiple charitable initiatives with MillerCoors. Dig also provides pro bono services to nonprofits such as the Chicago Children's Museum, Girls on the Run, Chicago Professionals for Youth, Common Threads, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Some of the main goals for Dig have been to diversify its business beyond the original core of consumer marketing and also expand its reach across the US. Both of those objectives were met in 2008, as evidenced by various events. Dig established a New York office. It launched an Hispanic practice to help clients reach this influential market. The firm expanded its corporate capability by adding former Weber Shandwick EVP Bryan Specht to its senior leadership team. Dig grew its San Francisco office revenues by 9%. The agency expanded its social media capability through staff training and executing programs such as “Elf Yourself” for OfficeMax.As one judge remarked, “Dig has demonstrated some remarkable work with a
true understanding of the social media environment in a way that sets them apart.”
The PR firm I work for, Dig Communications, was just awarded Small Agency of the Year by PR Week. We're all pretty pumped about it - the article even gives our SF office a shoutout. We also were the honorable mention for Agency of the Year (lost out to Edelman), so there are lots of high fives going on in the office today.
