Her name in lights: our Adweek Rising Star

For those of us that know Madeline Lambie, it’s not surprising to hear her described as a Rising Star. Along with her admirable writing chops, Madeline also flexes her skills as a singer, dancer, producer and nonprofit co-founder. Don’t call her a triple-threat, because it’s not enough, ya know, threats.

New face at the helm

Say hello to our new group creative director, Cristián Costa. He’ll be leading the UNDO account, continuing the work we’re proud to have done for the California Department of Public Health for over a decade.

DC’s strategy team brings home an esteemed Jay Chiat Award

Duncan Channon’s “Nicotine Equals” campaign strategy, intended to awaken parents to the teen vaping epidemic, got the judges attention at this year’s 4A’s Jay Chiat Awards.

DC appoints first Managing Director, Kumi Croom

A game changer since her arrival six years ago, Kumi will lead account and project management and continue to shape DC’s culture and client relationships.

Empathy over stigma

DC is honored to have been selected by the state of CA to tackle one of the most challenging issues of our generation. And to be covered in AdAge.

Plant-based partnership

After a competitive review, DC “inked” a deal to become social and digital AOR for Tattooed Chef, one of the country’s fastest growing plant-based food brands.

Empathy wins

DC is honored to announce that our work for the California Tobacco Control Program to help smokers quit in an empathetic way has been recognized with a Clio Health award.

TikTok campaign breaks records

e.l.f. celebrates self-expression and individuality with beauty products for every #eyeslipsface through the most viral organic TikTok campaign ever created.

Hope and dance for foster kids

Our latest project for SFCASA is a short film featuring a former foster youth who tells his story through dance.

Coachella x Tattooed Chef

DC’s experiential team partnered with Tattooed Chef—bringing the brand’s edgy, purpose-driven ethos to life at Coachella’s 2022 return.

Foster kids above all

DC’s latest social impact campaign asks adults to ‘Show Up’ for foster kids.

Kona makes the playoffs

After eight great seasons, our winning Dear Mainland campaign makes its NFL playoff debut. Check out the brothers’ latest gameplan for a life well-lived.

Solving for data dissonance, DC rolls out Data + Tech Practice

With data as a critical asset for our agency and our clients, DC invests in the launch of a new team and proprietary analytics tool, the Table.™

Catching “Waves” with Kelly Slater

Fresh off an exclusive in Adweek, our latest work for Kona Brewing is ready to make waves all summer long. And this time surfing legend Kelly Slater is along for the ride.

Croom talks director role with Adweek

DC is proud to announce Kumi Croom’s new role as DC’s first director of diversity and collaboration. Check out Kumi talking with Adweek about her goals and the progress she’s already helped to usher in.

e.l.f. 2020 Halloween activation

Duncan Channon’s LA team kept the halloween spirit alive by bringing a spooky holiday pop-up straight to beauty influencers’ homes.

Covered CA on Adweek’s cover

DC is thrilled to announce that we were awarded the five-year, $400-million Covered CA account. We are resolute in helping at this crucial time when more Californians need coverage than ever.

“They can’t take your ballot”

At a time of unprecedented voter suppression, the mission of Vote From Home 2020 is more essential than ever. Our new “Suppress This” campaign helps them get ballots into the hands of disenfranchised voters of color. You can help, too.

Beautyscape influencers launch e.l.f. collection

It’s a beautiful day at DCLA with the launch of the e.l.f. Cosmetics Retro Paradise collection — the new collection from e.l.f.’s Beautyscape winners Alissa Holmes, Diana Curmei, Elicia Aragon, Jessa Green and Valeria Loren.

Nicotine = Brain Poison = Clio

Our work for CTCP has awakened parents to the teen vaping epidemic and won a slew of awards in the process (not nearly as important, but nice). The latest is that most venerable of ad accolades: the Clio.

Cotteleer in Campaign US

DC’s chief experience officer speaks with Campaign about the virtual world and how COVID-19 has actually brought DC’s SF and LA offices closer.

Cotteleer talks COVID-19 in Adweek

As we seek to chart our way through the uncharted, DC’s Amy Cotteleer shares her thoughts on brands’ best course of action during the pandemic.

40 over 40

Amy Cotteleer was tapped by Campaign US for its annual digital 40 over 40 list. The honor is bestowed upon those at the forefront of digital transformation.

Nicotine: the teen nightmare

Nicotine is a neurotoxin whose changes to the teen brain could be permanent. And that’s what our campaign sets out to communicate.

How sweet (and also tart) it is

It’s not just the sugar talking when we say that we’re so fired up about our new client: iconic candy brand and childhood favorite, SweeTARTS.

Keepin’ it real in HR

HR is about helping real people. The H is for human, remember? So why does so much HR advertising feel so unreal?

Buy stuff, get Steph

Rakuten is back with the latest installment of the “Power of R” campaign, this time featuring a relatively well-known professional basketball player.

A couple locals go national

The two lovable locals that anchor Kona Brewing’s Dear Mainland campaign are about to hit the court and the big time in a series of new spots running for the first time nationally during this year’s March Madness.

Playing the name game with InnovAsian

These four 15-second spots use rhymes that play with the catchphrase “InnovAsian occasion” to help consumers better remember the brand when navigating the crowded freezer aisle.

Rakuten makes Grammy debut

The Japanese e-commerce giant dropped its first ever North American campaign during last night’s Grammys. Directed by acclaimed duo Vania & Muggia, the TV introduces Rakuten as a premium lifestyle brand and is the introduction of a months-long, DC-led brand overhaul.

Upwork is happening today

Oh, it’s happening alright: the new campaign for freshly IPO’d Upwork launches this very morning and portrays an experience familiar to us all in the workaday world: the “oh shit, how am I going to get this finished?” moment.

Universal appeal

Our assignment was to convince teens and tweens that Universal was the “what’s next” vacation for them and their families.

Shiseido relaunches

What better venue to make a grand re-entrance than Fashion Week? Shiseido’s pop-up experience drove huge engagement, reintroducing the brand in style.

The tobacco industry has a kids menu

Today marks the launch of DC’s latest campaign for the California Tobacco Control Program. The work exposes the tobacco industry’s latest deception: using flavors and products that masquerade as snacks and flash drives to hook kids when their brains are most susceptible to addiction.

Hey World! Upwork’s here to help

DC’s first campaign for Upwork positions the freelancer network as a movement of motivated people who are here to roll up collective sleeves and make stuff happen.

DC in the World Series

As part of a long-term partnership with the MLB, the campaign for SU2C challenges the common perception that the only way to beat cancer involves one monolithic cure.

Not just a health system, a health squad

When you’re sick, injured or facing a frightening diagnosis, you want more than just clinical excellence. You want a support system. You want a squad. And John Muir Health has your back.

New TV and a billboard full of butts

In its latest effort for the California Tobacco Control Program, DC shifts focus from the health dangers of cigarettes to the environmental dangers of cigarette butts. The “Come Clean” campaign features new TV and a billboard filled with 12,000 toxic butts.

Ad Age Agency of the Year — again

DC brought home a Small Agency of the Year award for the second year running.

DC dishes up So Delicious

DC launched a brand new campaign for brand new client, So Delicious. The inaugural work emphasizes taste to challenge the misperception that choosing non-dairy somehow equals non-delectable.

Anne sounds off on The Drum

Our own ECD Anne Elisco-Lemme is featured in the latest edition of The Drum’s Beyond The Brief with words of wisdom for all you creatives out there looking to make your mark.

Kettle wins Campaign of the Year

For the second year in a row, DC brought home top honors at the sfBIG awards. Last year, it was our anti-vaping work on behalf of CTCP. This year, it was, in part, our pro-marijuana work on Kettle chips. Big thanks to sfBIG for the kind acknowledgement.

Kona uses social media to get us off social media

Our Hawaiian brethren are back to help us haoles sort out our skewed work/life balance.

Talking community at SXSW

DCX’s Amy Cotteleer and Mara McCune from e.l.f. discussed the development of the cosmetic company’s lauded micro-influencer program, Beautyscape.

Grubhub delivers dose of reality

To capture the genuine excitement and community a shared meal delivers, DC steered clear of LA and shot in Austin, Texas, with real friends. No actors. No scripts. No sets.

Crunch time for Kettle Brand

At a time when wannabe competitors are trying to get on their natural chip tip, Kettle Brand is answering back with an irreverent new ad campaign. The “Stirring the Pot” work celebrates the brand’s counterculture legacy and all those that zig when others zag.

Retail therapy

Cash back from Ebates for the normal online shopping you were already going to do? No catch? We can understand your skepticism. That’s why our new campaign tackles that disbelief head on by setting the spots in Skeptics Anonymous therapy sessions (a group some skeptical people doubt actually exists).

Roller derby, feline affection and John Muir Health

The latest evolution of the Be Heard campaign for John Muir Health arrives on your TV set and computer screen.

Poop

What better word to sum up our feelings on this day that, at 44, our Amy has been taken.

Really big small news

We are so thrilled to have been named silver Small Agency of the Year in the west that we’re not even going to try and play it cool.

“Wake Up” wins North American Effie

DC’s “Wake Up” campaign snared a silver at the 2016 Effies, the pre-eminent industry award for marketing that drives measurable success.

Kona bros offer miracle FOMO cure

The loveable Hawaiian brothers who’ve helped lift Kona Brewing into the top ten of US craft beer are back for the third year of D/C’s “Dear Mainland” campaign.

Campaign of the Year for “Wake Up”

DC’s campaign for the California Tobacco Control Program took home the top BIG Star prize over a stellar field.

Vaporware

D/C has just launched the second year of the State of California’s effort to educate citizens about the potential perils of vaping nicotine.

DC site takes top Pixel Award

Thirty-two industry judges bestowed top prize on D/C in the non-profit category of the 10th annual Pixel Awards.

Not a morning person?

Thank you for using RingCentral?

Hi, Volta

Congrats to our friends and clients Staffan Terje and Umberto Gibin on last night’s official opening in San Francisco of their latest culinary masterpiece Volta.

Diamond of California is cooking

From TV to digital to print to a partnership with the Cooking Channel and Chef Kelsey Nixon, Diamond of California is serving up a complete creative feast in its first campaign from D/C.

“Turn Down” helps DriveTime turn up

Tina, Tara and the green rescue van are at it again in three new spots for DriveTime — including (if you’re paying attention) one bumpin’ a lil “Turn Down for What.”

Stride Rite embraces the chaos

The world may change, but the joyful pandemonium of childhood remains a constant. Being no strangers to that joy ourselves, D/C was excited to be tapped to work on a brand refresh for Stride Rite. The new work encourages parents both to embrace the chaos and come prepared.

California debuts ads to counter e-cigs

Twenty-five years after launching the first anti-smoking advertisements in the state, the California Department of Public Health today premiered a series of television, digital, and outdoor ads in a new campaign called “Wake Up,” as part of its educational effort to inform the public about the dangers of e-cigarettes.

Better Business Beetle

Definitive facts.

1st-person on the 3%

Last week, The 3% Conference kicked off its third year in San Francisco and Duncan/Channon was not only proud to host their VIP Party at the Tip (see above), but several of us were able to attend and be inspired. A recap of some of our favorite moments are below.

D/C launches site inspired by 3% Conference

Careers in advertising are long and hard. (That’s what she said.) To coincide with this year’s 3% Conference, we launched thatswhat3said.com, a place where women in advertising can give advice to female creatives who are just starting out. Visit the site, share it widely, and add to it.

D/C tops in fashion & beauty

We never doubted it, but now the OMMA award from MediaPost has confirmed it, bestowing top prize on the wildly social Sephora/Formula X website in the Fashion/Beauty/Cosmetics category, an effort in which, and we immodestly quote, “outstanding content, visual design and user interface create recurring value for users.”

Episode II: Return of the Rescue Squad

Late last year, DriveTime, the number-one used car chain for the credit-strapped, introduced a new TV campaign called “Rescued.” Today, the campaign rolls on with three new spots playing across the country. Ride along with our intrepid rescuers as they put the fun back into car-buying for three more lucky abductees.

Gotcha! Not at StubHub

At StubHub, the only surprise is at the end of this new commercial. The campaign highlights that scoring good tickets at StubHub couldn’t be easier — or less aggravating — because there are never extra fees.

Tahoe wants to know what team you’re on?

As we all know, the world is made up of two kinds of people: those who play for #teamsummer and those on the roster of #teamwinter. In a new spot and outdoor launching today, longtime D/C client Tahoe South introduces the audience to the fun peeps and fantastic creatures of Team Summer in action at the world’s most beautiful lake.

Dear Mainland

In this integrated campaign for Hawaii’s first and biggest craft brewer, a pair of Hawaiian brothers comment on such “common mainlander customs” as multi-tasking, while inviting viewers to take a breath.

For those about to rock, call Ticket Oak

The coolest deciduous dude you’ll ever meet, Ticket Oak always has tickets to the hottest games and concerts, is a member of the Advertising Hall of Fame and, in his off-time, loves to ride a Chestnut mare.

DC media is officially excellent

At the American Association of Advertising Agencies’ annual conference in LA yesterday, Duncan/Channon took home the O’Toole Award for Media Excellence in the Small Agency category for StubHub.

In all candor: new John Muir Health ads

The next evolution of the Be Heard campaign begins rolling out. The three new spots created by DC and directed by Aaron Ruell, showcase the delightfully close relationships John Muir Health patients develop with their doctors.

Nailed it: Formula X for Sephora

With millions of mani photos and polish pins across Instagram and Pinterest, and no other brand harnessing this active audience of online nail mavens, D/C saw the opportunity to create a branded, social environment where nail fanatics could express themselves, get inspired and shop relevant products.

DriveTime saves the day

Two hyper-enthusiastic, hopelessly dorky young women in a homemade rescue vehicle are the heroes of the new D/C-created campaign for America’s number-one used car dealer for people with credit issues.

Today’s StubHub news: T.O. gets naked & other abominations

If, like us, you can’t get enough of Ticket Oak, this Q3 roundup is for you.

“Well, I think Forbes is weird!” says weirdly defensive tree

As good a story as a big deciduous talking tree could ask for, today’s Forbes article explains that StubHub’s Ticket Oak is an extremely hard worker.

CA says Tahoe South’s just their type

Communication Arts has honored Duncan/Channon in this year’s prestigious Typography Annual for design of the new Tahoe South identity for the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

“I’m a puppet, damnit!” exclaims misunderstood talking tree

People can be insensitive, it’s true. So on the occasion of this laudatory write-up of the Ticket Oak’s diabolically clever maker, Anatomorphex, in North Hollywood, it seemed only right for D/C, as the tree’s diabolical inventor, to post this as a reminder.

From small acorns: Ticket Oak goes nuts

It’s the biggest campaign yet for StubHub and its lovable/creepy spokes-tree, conjured up last year by D/C.

Prepare the shark-jumping ramp!

If you are a regular reader of this humble website then it’s entirely possible you’re mumbling to yourself: “Geez Louise, enough with the StubHub Ticket Oak already.”

Blurb finds its own books

A comprehensive rebrand and the “Find Your Book” campaign Duncan/Channon created for Blurb have garnered a second year of industry accolades, the latest honors being coveted slots in the Brand New Awards and Communication Arts Advertising Annual.

Ticket Oak eats a fairy!

The Ticket Oak returns with a Halloween surprise for all of you would-be ticketholders and treehuggers.

D/C gets happy

This fall, after galvanizing the British public, the happy egg co. is coming to the US. And, following a pitch, they hired a truly free-range agency – the uncageable Duncan/Channon – to develop a digital brand in the US.

On the plus side: D/C delivers new ID, site for shopping innovator

Marqeta, the company that’s reinventing shopping for both consumers and businesses, today launched its new brand identity and website, created by the Duncan/Channon design and UX team.

Back by popular demand/outrage

Yep, he’s back. After a triumphant premiere this spring the oddly loveable, endearingly terrifying Ticket Oak returns and, this time, he’s doling out primo football tickets.

Be Heard: The Sequel

DC is back for round two of its groundbreaking campaign for respected healthcare brand, John Muir Health. Smashing the mold of standard medical marketing, the “Be Heard” campaign lightheartedly taps into the female target’s need to really be listened to — especially when it comes to their family’s health and well-being.

StubHub goes out on a limb

Great tickets don’t grow on trees. Or do they? Enter The Ticket Oak, the 30-foot centerpiece and star of the latest integrated campaign from StubHub.

D/C exposed in Communication Arts!

Finally, Communication Arts, the bible of the design, advertising and interactive design world, has ripped the veil from Duncan/Channon. In a 10-page investigation within CA’s Interactive Annual, reporter Sam McMillan reveals the shady background and shocking practices of the agency that was “born to rock” — from its “temple of guanxi” bar, wherein take place lurid lectures on “teledildonics” and concerts known as “Roofies,” to its music label Tip Records, home to the inexplicable Gary Wilson, to its “real account people, media people and planning infrastructure.” Shudder.

Gap “Be Bright”

Once a Gap staple, the classic tee’s luster was fading. Our answer was to connect their tees to another classic: the concert tee.

Tahoe South goes wild

Is there any advertising more rote and shopworn than winter ski advertising? There’s the requisite photo of some dude who skies better than you ever will leaping from a cornice that’s probably not even in bounds to a slope with more fresh powder than you’ll ever see. Attach bad-ass headline. Ship.

D/C makes a splash with Tahoe rebrand

he Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, which is tasked with promoting the south side, hired D/C for a complete rebrand. Eight months later, client and agency unveiled the new brand and an entirely new name for the destination — Tahoe South.

Farrier rolls on: One Show Pencil added to Creative Review, Addy honors

Blurb blast-off

REBRAND 100 redux: this time for Esurance

Duncan/Channon revisits the winners’ circle at the 2011 REBRAND 100 Global Awards, picking up a Merit for the rebranding of Esurance.

100 Best in Advertising

Graphis magazine has honored D/C’s campaign for Sanita, the original Danish clog, with a gold award in its 2011 “100 Best in Advertising” annual. Founded in Zurich in 1944, Graphis is one of the world’s most influential graphic arts publications. The competition was judged by a prestigious international jury whose US contingent included Rich Silverstein. All of which ain’t exactly chopped liver, a D/C spokesperson was heard to remark.

Esurance rebrand launches with TV, cinema, interactive, OOH

Seven months in the making, Duncan/Channon’s new work for Esurance, one of the country’s leading car insurers, debuted today all over the damn place.

New wine, old bottle

The challenge for Farrier, the new luxe libation from Kendall-Jackson, was to bring in a sense of history, terroir and romance without dragging out the cliched oak barrels or little ole winemaker.

CA taps D/C

In a well-deserved tribute to the agency’s interactive team, Duncan/Channon is being honored in this year’s Communications Arts Interactive Annual for the Hard Rock Booth Interactive.

Ship-shape

Fifty-year-old Interasia was purchased by one of the world’s largest shipping firms, which wanted to reignite the enthusiasm of prospects, customers and its young employees.

Hygge. Go ahead, you can say it.

The manufacturers of the original Danish clog, Sanita, have been making shoes for the US market for years. But now they’ve decided to sell them under their own brand.

Hard Rock collection collects Webby honors

The groundbreaking, Deep-Zoom-able Hard Rock Memorabilia website and widget have been designated an Official 2009 Webby Honoree in two categories: Music and Best Use of Photography.

Rose Langford

Dunning Duncan/Channon.

What’s going on over there?

Drunk dialing DC.

D/C helps big chicken crow

Booty

Greatest gift ever from the comedy gods.

Larry

This one we never quite figured out.

D/C tops REBRAND 100 for Hard Rock branding, design

To signify dorkishness, the 2001 movie Ghost World, set among contemporary twenty-somethings, clothed a character in a Hard Rock t-shirt. One measure of how far this 30-year-old brand had fallen. So D/C’s work started by clarifying and then communicating a new brand strategy to a confused rank-and-file.

That’s right, upside-down and backwards: Vertigo ID

Hello, Viva

Searching for Viva.

National TV

Well, we did cut this one short.

Happy Thanksgiving

Speaking of gifts from god.

How ya doin’?

Gangster-type just wanted to know.