thought leadership
Welcome to our blog …a space designed for Fifteen4 news, advice, commentary, storytelling, and well, how our entire team of leaders think. Here is where we keep all the content that gives you a clearer picture of who we are, what we do, how we think [about the industry we love] and the many ways to tell a brand story, without resorting to buzzwords like “data-driven paradigm shift” or “brand story.”
Why the Smartest Work at First Round NYC Had Nothing to Do with Headcount.
At First Round NYC 2025, what struck me wasn’t how different each agency was in scale, but how remarkably aligned they were in their pursuit of clarity, originality, and strategy-led branding. From global agencies like Collins and Wolff Ollins to nimble shops like...
Why the Smartest Work at First Round NYC Had Nothing to Do with Headcount.
At First Round NYC 2025, what struck me wasn’t how different each agency was in scale, but how remarkably aligned they were in their pursuit of clarity, originality, and strategy-led branding. From global agencies like Collins and Wolff Ollins to nimble shops like...
The Design of Experience: Who Doesn’t Love a Good Jingle?
Welcome to the Design of Experience: conversations about the ideas that make us feel a tribal devotion to the things we love. This one’s about: Anthropomorphism and hot dogs. The psychology of sounds. Grating voices. The joy of the jingle. Why have jingles fallen out...
Fifteen4 Raises Funds to Create Two Girls in the Game Scholarships
It was the kind of night that will live on in our hearts for a long time. On Friday, October 4th, Fifteen4 sent a team of chefs to City Seeds to participate in Cook-Off for a Cause: Battle of the Agencies. The event was planned as an Iron Chef-style competition,...
Creative Journeys are Rarely Linear
In August, I received an email from Dr. Mas Biswas of Loyola University Maryland asking if I would be interested in speaking to his Capstone Class, which is focused on web and graphic design. To be honest, I didn’t know what a capstone class was, but after a quick...
Stop Faking It. (They find out anyway.)
Matt DeVille, VP of Digital, takes a critical look at fake authenticity, transparency, greenwashing, and wokewashing. Brands fake authenticity all the time. Frankly, it’s offputting. So why do they do it? Simple: “Authenticity” and “Transparency” have become very...
The Design of Experience: Let’s Talk About Volkswagen!
Welcome to the Design of Experience: conversations about the ideas that make us feel a tribal devotion to the things we love. This one’s about: Witty copywriting, faulty car electronics, the role of music in advertising, the smell of crayons, and cars that float. How...
Cook Off for a Cause: Meet the Fifteen4 Chefs!
Who knew these guys could cook? Well, maybe they can… I reckon we'll find out next Friday, October 4th. The Fiery Five from Fifteen4 will be battling it out against MindGrub to support the great organization, Girls in the Game. Get to know our chef warriors below! Dan...
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thought leadership
Thoughts, opinions, education...things that will make your professional life better.
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bookbytes
A series of quick takes on the books shaping our thinking. Not summaries, just sparks.
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podcast
Every episode of the branding world's greatest podcast: The Design of Experience.
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news
The latest happenings within and around the agency.
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culture
Employee and office musings. Usually humorous, always feel-good.