Earnest Firm Goes Sherpa: 'We Are So Not an Agency'
LaBov & Beyond is this delicious mesh of old-fogeyness and "I swear I'm cool, I swear!"-ness.
When we last covered them, they were trying to generate creativity with a whiteboard website. This time around, they're spreading word that LaBov & Beyond isn't an agency at all. Latest positioning statement: "LaBov, the Un-Agency Agency."
Wondering what LaBov & Beyond is? We're not sure, but we bet it involves a lot of super-expressive words that don't actually say anything. See PDF.
But hey, we're into their earnestness. LaBov vibes like a dependable bunch, even if not flawlessly hip.
Comments
Nice handbook -- too bad it's a direct Crispin ripoff. If you're going to steal, you may not want to swipe from the hottest shop in the country. Lame.
http://206.55.119.115/src/cpb/EmployeeHandbook.pdf
they stole the website idea from leo burnett, who did it far better. they stole the handbook from crispin -- figures -- what hundreds of companies have called labov for their handbook -- a slight stretch, don't you think? the only kind of company that says they are different from the big agency is the kind of company that can't ever be a real agency -- never good enough and never will have the fame or fortune of leo or crispin or any of the others -- then again, what would you think you would get from an "agency" in fort wayne? oh, sorry, un-agency. lame is right
Hmmm, look at the Labov & Beyond Umbrella books on Amazon and the fake viral marketing!
Amazon fake viral marketing
Oh wow, talk about old foggyness and corny!
Look at this video of Barry and Labov & beyond from the early 80's. FYI, when Labov says he has been in business 25 years that includes the band days.
My favorite part of the video is the cartoon storyboard asking Mrs. Simpson to help Labov get a recording contract. It is priceless and pathetic!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7yVgBIyxnZk&feature=related