New York-Based Barker Goes Bold With Its Messaging and Creates Edgy Work for Its Clients

Advertises itself as '70% Women, 100% Balls'

Don't miss ADWEEK House at Cannes, June 16-19. Join us as we celebrate our 45th anniversary and explore the industry's now and next. RSVP.

How often do you see an ad for an advertising agency? Probably not very often—which John Barker, founder and chief idea officer of New York’s Barker, finds “a little bit cowardly.”

As Barker puts it, “If we are counseling our clients to spend a trillion dollars on advertising, we should be willing to put our own money behind it.” (For example, to tout its predominantly female staff, Barker ran ads on New York bus shelters reading “70% Women.

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

Adweek magazine cover
Click for more from this issue

This story first appeared in the Aug. 7, 2017, issue of Adweek magazine. Click here to subscribe.