Greg Hahn, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Mischief@No Fixed Address, talks about his background, the challenges of maintaining high performance in an agency, and the growth of Mischief from one client to 30. They also discuss the evolution of the creative process, the cost of entries for advertising awards, the fears and responsibilities of agency founders, and the power of the name 'Mischief' in attracting clients.
Mischief's success is attributed to their unconventional approach, fearlessness, and anti-bureaucracy mindset.
Greg Hahn focuses on elevating the agency's work and creating an environment where people can do their best.
Mischief's reputation and success quickly spread through word-of-mouth and their groundbreaking work, attracting clients who value fresh thinking and fearlessness.
Deep dives
The Growth and Success of Mischief
Mischief, founded by Greg Hahn, co-founder and chief creative officer, quickly became a highly praised agency in just two years. It was named Agency of the Year by Adage and Campaign US, as well as the second most innovative agency by FAST Company. The success of Mischief is attributed to their mission of creating a place where employees and clients can do their best work without layers and pretense. Their unconventional approach, fearlessness, and anti-bureaucracy mindset have attracted a wide range of clients, including Kraft and Tinder.
Transitioning from BBDO to Mischief
After the layoffs at BBDO in 2020, Greg Hahn ventured out to co-found Mischief with a mission to create a space for extraordinary work. The experience at BBDO taught him the challenges of maintaining a high standard and continuously beating previous successes. At Mischief, Greg focuses on elevating the agency's work and creating an environment where people can do their best. The collaborative and streamlined creative process at Mischief allows for quick decision-making and minimal bureaucracy, resulting in energizing work and a strong identity.
Resilience and Success in a Challenging Environment
Starting Mischief during the COVID-19 pandemic presented its own challenges, but it also offered unique opportunities. The virtual nature of meetings streamlined the agency's operations, allowing for efficient communication with clients and team members around the globe. Mischief's reputation and success quickly spread through word-of-mouth and their groundbreaking work, attracting clients who value fresh thinking and fearlessness. With a deliberate focus on attracting and retaining clients who align with Mischief's values, the agency has been able to resist the pressures of conformity and maintain its unique creative vision.
Maintaining the Founding Principles of Mischief
As Mischief grows, Greg Hahn remains committed to staying true to the agency's founding principles. While growth can bring impact and opportunities, Mischief aims to make an impact regardless of its size. The goal is to continue being louder than their size, taking on global projects and industry-changing work while staying true to their vision. The focus is not solely on growth, but on making a meaningful difference and proving that even as a small agency, it is possible to have a substantial and lasting impact.
Building a Creative Agency: Key Insights
One of the key insights from the podcast is the importance of building a creative agency that focuses on attracting clients through a distinct point of view. By naming the agency 'Mischief,' the founder aimed to create a brand that would attract clients who were seeking a different kind of creative thinking. The goal was to go beyond simply leveraging a personal reputation and build an agency that lives beyond the founders. This approach also allows for a diverse range of work, addressing different client needs and tones while always ensuring a smart idea lies at the core of each project.
Finding and Nurturing Talent
The podcast discusses the importance of finding and nurturing talent in a creative agency. The emphasis is on qualities such as curiosity, empathy, and a unique perspective, rather than solely relying on past successes or impressive portfolios. The agency values individuals who can think about problems in innovative ways and deliver unexpected solutions. Moreover, it is crucial to create a positive and supportive team dynamic, where people with different backgrounds and experiences can come together and thrive. This focus on talent and culture helps shape the agency and its ability to produce great work.
Greg Hahn is Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Mischief@No Fixed Address. Prior to Mischief, Greg was CCO of BBDO New York for nearly 15 years, where he became one of the most awarded creatives in the world (Cannes Grand Prix, Emmys, all that), and helped BBDO become one of the most awarded companies in the world. Yet in Spring of 2020, Greg headlined a wave of high profile layoffs at BBDO in reaction to pandemic fears.
Just two short months later, Greg co-founded Mischief. Just two short years later, Mischief was named Agency of the Year by Adage, Agency of the Year by Campaign US, and the second most innovative agency by Fast Company. Marking one of the most all-time legendary starts by any creative agency ever.
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