Agency 4

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Who We Are

A team with decades of experience on some of the world’s biggest brands and a deeply digital and modern approach

Jim Marcus

EX, Creative Director Campaigns

Creative Director for two of Ad Age’s top 15 brands of the 20th century, Truth and Dove, Marcus led digital creativity for McDonald’s North America and helped brands like Kraft and Suave powerfully enter the digital age. He is a respected musician, typographer, culture hacker and speaker.

Paul Christoper Greene

EX, Creative Director Content

Local 600 Director of Photography, feature film and TV Advertising Director, Music Producer, Heavy Lifter Drone Operator, Helicopter Shotover Operator and more, Greene has engaged brands like Sony, Universal, Lionsgate, Apple, and many others to provide the highest caliber comprehensive content and storytelling production solutions.

Philosophy

Human Action is our primary goal

We strive to give people a reason, an example, and a way to easily act on their feelings for the brand at all times – to be a member in a way that is active and transformative. We want to change minds, but more importantly, we want to change behavior so that all brand goals are met.

Work
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Experiential Parties, Events, Engagements… Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et We often focus on connecting people with branded events because we recognize the inciting power of participation to influence people, making them feel like they are a part of the brand. Advertising Traditional Advertising and more Whether it’s television, banners, websites, out-of-home, or other traditional advertising units, we can pull them together and move the needle, reaching people to connect with your brand. Content Brilliant Content for Brands Previously, brands let traditional advertising do the heavy lifting for them- but now more than ever, brands are expected to produce their own content on social media, television, and podcasts. We help produce branded content that hits the mark every time. Sound Music that Makes your Brand Work Sound and mnemonics are vital to branding but often overlooked. We explore the con-ventions and implications of the phonetic relations that your brand's messaging has in the world. Sound can make you more likable and more uniquely real and human. New Media Making the Most of the Post Internet World New media represents the ongoing conversation through digital means. A4 excels at identifying means of brand messaging via a uniquely tailored strategy for each brand to harness the full potential of social and digital channels. Digital Digital is what Drives Most Brands The post-internet world is extraordinarily complex but also virtually instantaneous. Instant connection, utility, and behavior-influencing infrastructure led by real time analytics are now essentials for brands occupying digital space to do what is most effective, moving the needle. Branding and Identity The First Step to a Great Brand Great brands need to leave a great mark. Colors, messaging, and styles help leave that mark. We've built living style guides for some of the most exciting brands out there, and we’d love to do it for you too.
Disciplines
Branding and Identity Experiential Advertising Content Sound New Media Digital The First Step to a Great Brand Great brands need to leave a great mark. Colors, messaging, styles, and other ways to express themselves help leave that mark. We've put together living style guides for some of the most exciting brands out there, and we’d love to do it for you too. Parties, Events, Engagements We often focus on connecting people with branded events because we recognize the inciting power of participation to influence people, making them feel like they are a part of the brand. Traditional Advertising and more Whether it’s television, banners, websites, out-of-home, or other traditional advertising units, we can pull them together and move the needle, reaching people to connect with your brand. Brilliant Content for Brands Previously, brands let traditional advertising do the heavy lifting for them- but now more than ever, brands are expected to produce their own content on social media, television, and podcasts. We help produce branded content that hits the mark every time. Music that Makes your Brand Work Sound and mnemonics are vital to branding but often overlooked. We explore the conventions and implications of the phonetic relations that your brand's messaging has in the world. Sound can make you more likable and more uniquely real and human. Making the Most of the Post Internet World New media represents the ongoing conversation through digital means. A4 excels at identifying means of brand messaging via a uniquely tailored strategy for each brand to harness the full potential of social and digital channels. Digital is what Drives Most Brands The post-internet world is extraordinarily complex but also virtually instantaneous. Instant connection, utility, and behavior-influencing infrastructure led by real time analytics are now essentials for brands occupying digital space to do what is most effective, moving the needle.
Account Service Production Creative Technology Creative Content Strategic Creative Responding to the Client Account Services meets and connects with the client, learning everything possible about the industry, and to be a constant advocate of the client. Completing Jobs on Time Real production is not just about schedules and timelines, it’s about creatively modeling the workflow to meet client’s needs, keeping them informed about the progress and decisions being made. A Creative Goal Treating all technology as creative is one of our core beliefs. We find the right tech to do the right jobs for each client – we have no interest in excess tech or expensive options that don’t deliver results. The World of the Brand A great creative campaign is not just the wrapping, but also the gift of the content that evolves with it, creating a real passion within users and viewers. Big, Beautiful Campaigns The goal of a strategic creative is to build campaigns that really rev the engine, encourage people to see the hero in the brand, and to align with that message on a daily basis.
Our Model
Account Service Production CreativeTechnology CreativeContent Strategic Creative Digital is what Drives Most Brands Account Services meets and connects with the client, learning everything possible about the industry, and to be a constant advocate of the client. Completing Jobs on Time Real production is not just about schedules and timelines, it’s about creatively modeling the workflow to meet client’s needs as well, keeping them informed about the progress and decisions being made. A Creative Goal Treating all technology as creative is a core belief of ours. We find the right tech to do the right jobs for each client – we have no interest in too much or too little tech or expensive options that don’t deliver results. The World of the Brand A great creative campaign is not just the wrapping, but also the gift of the content that evolves with it, creating a real passion within users and viewers. Big, Beautiful Campaigns The goal of a strategic creative is to build campaigns that inspire action, encourage people to see the hero in the brand, and to align with that message on a daily basis.
The Receptive Culture Finding the Right World Everyone wants to live in a culture that they can love. We tailor messages to meet cultural realities and make people feel seen. The Right Media Focused Media All of this has to work within the right media, media that’s a daily part of your intended users’ lives, creating a world that the brand can be a real part of. Expressive Promotion Expressively Visible You can have the most amazing campaign in the world, but if no one sees it, it won’t matter. We build promotion platforms that work. Execution Beautiful Execution We execute beautifully, with an eye toward artistic excellence. While most people aren’t artists, they still recognize when something misses the mark. We capture focus with the power of well- executed creativity and planning. Creative Concept Strategy The Right Concept Concepting creatively means that we put our energy into building overarching brand ideas that can move the needle for your company and help define its mission to the world. Consumer-Focused Strategies We build strategies around insights, designed to optimize what you need as a brand and a company, bringing you opportunities you can really use. We like to build beautiful things, but the key is to build beautiful things that are effective and deliver results. Brand Insight The Right Insight Everything we do starts with powerful brand insight, information that illuminates user behavior and helps us decide how to best communicate with that user base. We’re not interested in things we wish were true- we want to find real world insights that can drive great ideas.
Process
The Receptive Culture The Right Media Expressive Promotion Execution Creative Concept Strategy Brand Insight Finding the Right World Everyone wants to live in a culture that they can love. We tailor messages to meet cultural realities and make people feel seen. The Right Insight Everything we do starts with powerful brand insight, information that illuminates user behavior and helps us decide how to best communicate with that user base. Over and over we hear about hopeful insights; ones that aren’t real, that don’t include a kernel of truth in them. But that does nothing to foster great creativity. The goal is to know what’s really happening and why. Consumer-Focused Strategies We build strategies around insights, designed to optimize what you need as a brand and a company, bringing you opportunities you can really use. We like to build beautiful things, yes, but the key is to build beautiful things that are effective and deliver results. The Right Concept Concepting creatively means that we put our energy into building overarching brand ideas that can move the needle for your company and help define its mission to the world. Beautiful Execution We execute beautifully, with an eye toward artistic excellence. While most people aren’t artists, they still recognize when something misses the mark. We like to capture focus with the power of well-executed creativity and planning. Expressively Visible You can have the most amazing campaign in the world, but if no one sees it, it won’t matter. We build promotion platforms that work. Focused Media All of this has to work within the right media, media that’s a daily part of your intended users’ lives, creating a world that the brand can be a real part of.
Affinity Great Work Builds Likability, Love, and Affinity We build affinity through membership, helping users be a part of the brand in a way that keeps them aligned and wanting more. We know brands can fill in blanks for users and give them the functionality, engagement, entertainment and belonging that they need. Brands can be friends and more. Acceleration Accelerating and Advancing the Brand We enjoy working with new technology. There are so many accelerants for brand initiatives, from apps to streaming to spatial engagement, but also direct mail and out of home – tools that have been with us for a long time. We can accelerate the mission of every brand in smart ways that reach people on their own terms. Action Inspiring Everyone to Action At all times, within the brand work we do, we strive to give people a reason, an example, and a way to easily act on their feelings for the brand – to be a member in a way that is active and transformative. We want to change minds but more importantly, we want to change behavior so that the brand goals are met, across the board. Art Everything We do is Meant to be Art We start with design because we know that art inspires people to act. For people to want to be a part of something, they have to feel that they understand it and can love it. We approach every brand like an art project; a chance to build something really beautiful.
Activation
Affinity Acceleration Action Art Great Work Builds Likability, Love, and Affinity We build affinity through membership, helping users be a part of the brand in a way that keeps them aligned and wanting more. We know brands can fill in blanks for users and give them the functionality, engagement, entertainment and belonging that they need. Brands can be friends and more. Accelerating and Advancing the Brand We enjoy working with new technology. There are so many accelerants for brand initiatives, from apps to streaming to spatial engagement, but also direct mail and out of home – tools that have been with us for a long time. We can accelerate the mission of every brand in smart ways that reach people on their own terms. Inspiring Everyone to Action At all times, within the brand work we do, we strive to give people a reason, an example, and a way to easily act on their feelings for the brand – to be a member in a way that is active and transformative. We want to change minds but more importantly, we want to change behavior so that the brand goals are met, across the board. Everything We do is Meant to be Art We start with design because we know that art inspires people to act. For people to want to be a part of something, they have to feel that they understand it and can love it. The right design can build that world around them. We approach every brand like an art project; a chance to build something really beautiful.
FAQs
This new world includes new devices, new spaces, and new ideas that can plus up the opt-in environment around us. While we do work through interactive and mobile, we love finding new digital outlets for great ideas.
Spatial engagement uses content to bring people to locations, letting people see the content inhabiting that space. We use this to make the most of the locations around us.
Traditional advertising requires a model by which people are forced to sit through advertising in order to see content they want. We prefer to imbue the content with the brand message, making sure no one is sitting through unwanted ads.
While people often forget online messages, banners, ads, etc., they always remember a personal experience and the brands that help them explore the joy of that experience.
At the center of every great brand is something heroic, bigger than life, something worth loving. Though it may not feel easy to imagine your brand being loved, we know that it’s possible, and we can help chart the way.
We love working here in Chicago, but we also love to travel. Reach out and ask how we can fit into the work world that you have going on. It’s simpler than you think.
Consult

Reach out today to consult with us for free

No matter how much you understand your project or your needs, you will have more insight once we meet to discuss. We want educated client partners, and building client awareness and insight is crucial for any project to be a success.