5 Ads That Show Why Barton F. Graf Was One of the Decade's Smartest, Funniest Agencies

As the agency closes its doors after 9 years, we look back at its quirky and insightful work

Experience ADWEEK House at Cannes, June 16-19. We’re celebrating 45 years of reporting with Now and Next—a creative opportunity for brands to define who they are and their future in the industry. Register .

When Gerry Graf founded the agency named for his father, Barton F. Graf, in 2010, “weird” seemed to be on the way out when it came to advertising.

The free-wheeling early days of digital—and correspondingly bizarre Super Bowl ads—that defined the 2000s were giving way to more buttoned-up, ROI-centric marketing. Even creative-innovation juggernaut Crispin Porter + Bogusky wasn’t immune, losing its linchpin client, Burger King, in 2011. The icons of fun, ridiculous advertising seemed to be vanishing from the industry, such as when Cliff Freeman & Partners (of Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?” fame) closed its doors in 2009.

But

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Spring Special

Save 30% Off an ADWEEK Subscription Today!

View Your Options

Already a member? Sign in