The Wrong Agency

The true image of a brand can only seen through the disinterested eyes of its audience. UPDATE: The headline was unintentionally but also blatantly stolen from Steve Bautista.

Based on concerns that last week’s post contained original artwork that was somewhat reminiscent of existing designs, we thought it would be an appropriate time to introduce the agency’s new mascots, Cease & Desist. UPDATE: To celebrate their introduction, we were giving away mascot–themed playing cards to the first 20 people who replied to this thread with the catchphrase from either Cease or Desist. Much to our surprise, they have already been spoken for. Thanks for playing along, weirdos.

In the highly unlikely event you need to use the Wrong Agency logo, please avoid these eight most common incorrect uses. 

The first company that ever called us about their marketing needs makes wood pallets. We couldn’t have been more excited. Sure, working on a funny beer commercial or fast food campaign is great. But there’s perhaps no greater opportunity for a brand than infusing humor and humanity into a category that’s seen neither. Alas, we didn’t end up working with the pallet company. Partially because it would’ve ruined our streak of being “clientless since 2023™.” And partially because breaking the norms of your category feels wrong – and ironically, it’s not easy being wrong.

The quality of a campaign is largely determined by the road it took to get there.

For our first anniversary, we at The Wrong Agency put ourselves through the same experience we ask of the people who hire us. What we insist on, from day one, is to trust us. “If you aren’t going to trust us, don’t hire us.” So we celebrated year one at a restaurant that demands trust: Bloom on the Park in Malmö. The menu is "whatever the chef is in the mood to make." And you don’t find out what you ate until after the meal. Yes, it can be a bit nerve–wracking to simply trust someone because they know their craft. And yes, it's totally worth it. Thanks to the people who trusted us in year one. You know who you are.

We said to designer Alexander Knutagård, “Give us a brand book that’s barely legible.” Obviously, he delivered – but he had a lot of help. We’d like to thank the following type houses for your contribution to this ridiculous venture: OH no Type Co. Commercial Type The Foundry Types   Sharp Type ITC (part of Monotype) Identikal (courtesy of Nick Hayes and Adam Hayes) And on Instagram:  Displaay Type @xyz_displaay Fantasia Type @fantasia.type Klim type @klim_type_foundry Maxitype @maxitype_com

What’s more impressive, the art of persuasion? Or the discipline of limiting yourself to clients who share your beliefs about marketing? Put differently, is your time better spent convincing, or creating? 

The reviews are in!

We are releasing one spread from The Wrong Brand Book each week. It will be unrelenting – like waterboarding, but in a good way.