Chicago’s advertising scene is celebrating a significant achievement as two local agencies, Quality Meats and Laughlin Constable, were honored at Ad Age’s 16th Annual Small Agency Awards in Boston on July 24.
The awards recognize independent agencies for their remarkable business results and innovative creative work, with this year’s winners showcasing exceptional talent and impactful campaigns.
Quality Meats
The agency emerged as a standout in the competition, winning Gold in the 11-75 Employees Category. Founded in 2020, the agency has quickly made a name for itself, securing high-profile clients such as Kimberly-Clark, DoorDash, Regal Cinema, and Samsung Home Entertainment US. Despite its relatively small team of 20 staffers and contractors, Quality Meats achieved impressive revenue growth, reaching $6 million last year.
The agency’s creative work includes memorable campaigns for Kimberly-Clark’s Huggies and Kotex, as well as a bold Valentine’s Day campaign featuring a testicle-shaped necklace for Saxx Underwear. Their efforts have garnered widespread attention and positive sentiment, including a notable campaign for U by Kotex that generated over 20 million TikTok views.
Co-founder & co-CCO of Quality Meats, Gordy Sang, told Reel Chicago, “We’re just as flabbergasted winning the third time in a row as we were the first time. Just glad to know our approach of cutting the traditional agency fat, and blunt honesty is resonating with clients and consumers. We’re still not entirely sure what we’re doing, but frankly think that’s what’s gotten us where we are and where we’re going. Hopefully we kinda never know what we’re doing.”
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Laughlin Constable
48-year-old Laughlin Constable was also celebrated at the awards winning Gold in the 76-150 Employees Category. Known for its revitalized approach under new leadership, Laughlin Constable has seen significant growth since late 2022. The agency’s innovative campaigns, including a transformative effort for the ASPCA, have driven substantial results, such as a 40% increase in incremental donations and a 57% rise in revenue.
The agency’s creative strategy, exemplified by its spot in the Puppy Bowl and a social media campaign for Vienna Beef, highlights its agility and strong local impact. In 2023, Laughlin Constable added 13 new clients and increased its revenue by 8% to $54 million.
“This industry has been shifting for some time now, where bigger clients have been seeing and feeling that ‘small is the new big’,” said Anthony Romano, CEO of Laughlin Constable. “So, to receive a top honor amongst the best of the new breed of agencies doing it out there, is a big moment of pride. Even after 48 years, our shop is more relentless about reinvention than ever, more fiercely independent, and more obsessed with doing deeply personal work that works.”
The work of Laughlin Constable and its talented employees has caught the attention of more than just Ad Age this year. Recently, the agency won both a 2024 Clio and a 2024 Effie for its work with the national non-profit the ASPCA.
The agency also saw several big account wins in the past year such as national hardware retailer, True Value, Midwest retail bank North Shore Bank, iconic hot brand, Vienna Beef, Sherwin-Williams General Industrial division, West coast upscale grocery chain, Good Food Holdings, and leading vitamin and supplements brand, Nordic Naturals.
Both agencies have demonstrated exceptional creativity and business acumen, reinforcing Chicago’s reputation as a hub for innovative advertising. The recognition at Ad Age’s Small Agency Awards underscores the significant contributions of these local firms to the industry.
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Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360 News and Reel Chicago. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on X at @colinthewriter1
