Nice Isn't Vice Squad's Niche

Inspiration meets innovation at Brandweek, the ultimate marketing experience. Join industry luminaries, rising talent and strategic experts in Phoenix, Arizona this September 23–26 to assess challenges, develop solutions and create new pathways for growth. Register early to save.

LOS ANGELES Mark Roberts, founder and CCO of the new shop Vice Squad, had a revelation one day while freelancing: An unnamed Omnicom agency declared that it could not accept an online gambling client because of ethical concerns.

That made no business sense to Roberts, who had moonlighted as a freelance creative director for strip clubs in the past. “The adult industry feels ostracized by the business community,” he observed.

So, a month ago Roberts and partner David Marett, who goes by the title vice president, opened a Dallas shop to service clients other agencies were too embarrassed or forbidden by networks to take, or who put them furtively in their portfolios and treated like second-class citizens.

Vice Squad didn’t nab the online gambling operation (“that would have been like a flea trying to swallow an elephant at this point,” said Roberts).

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

To Read the Full Story Become an Adweek+ Subscriber

View Subscription Options

Already a member? Sign in