Partner, Director, Creative Director
808inc., Houston
Fifteen years ago, there was a pretty clear difference between “regional” and “national” advertising. If you were a creative on a national account, you shot your commercial in Sydney. If you were on a regional account, you were going to Dallas. Then, the Internet went from novelty to necessity, fundamentally changing the way we communicate, followed by an explosion of overlapping subcultures and economic euphoria, followed by the cold shower of reality. The result was the virtual disappearance of the large, regional agency. This is the era of small, nimble creative shops. As the industry grows into its own, both clients and creatives will demand more. Whether national or regional, it’s a great time for little guys to make big impressions. They already are.
Robert Campbell is Partner and Creative Director of 808inc., a Houston-based creative and production studio. Formerly a senior writer with BBDO Houston, Robert has created memorable, award-winning advertising for a variety of national and regional clients. He’s written for print, web, broadcast, outdoor, bathroom walls—and has directed numerous commercials. In addition to receiving a Cannes Lion, his work has been featured in Ad Age, Creativity, Adweek, AdCritic.com’s Top 10, TBS’s Funniest Commercials on Television and a BBC Documentary on Advertising, which he hasn’t seen.