Ever see Mad Men?
Here’s what happened next.
Photography by Bruce Gilden/Magnum Photos
If you’re currently working with an advertising agency, you’re paying for a business model that was created in 1962. Even Don Draper would say that’s insane.
Digital and social platforms. E-commerce. Streaming services. UGC. Data. NFTs and Web3. They’ve completely changed the marketing landscape but the traditional agency model remains the same.
The result is ad agencies are unable to operate effectively under slimmer profit margins because they can’t afford to staff the outdated and bloated model they’re stuck with.
The best talent have evolved into independent entrepreneurs. They want flexi-
-bility. They seek variety. And they enjoy being paid their worth. Agencies simply can’t provide that anymore.
A curated collection of award winning creatives, Mensa level strategists and take-no-prisoners project managers who know how to keep everything moving forward.
Now, they work for us. But only when you need them.
Welcome to The Syndicate.
We realized years ago that the current model was unsustainable and inefficient. So, we came up with a way to offer a better solution that not only costs less but produces world class creative ideas that generate results—and it’s all scalable.
From project management to strategy and content creation we curate the right talent and give them whatever support they need to accomplish your goals.
When the job is done, just like after a good caper, everyone takes their cut and disappears.
Partners in Crime isn’t cheap. We’re efficient. And that saves both time and money. We’re effective because we don’t mess around. Everyone you work with will be a seasoned pro.
Our bench is deep and our expertise is broad. Because we function as a scalable creative consortium, we maintain ongoing relationships with people who have worked in virtually every category, medium and market.
Our track record of success spans the entire spectrum of marketing solutions. From websites and social to TV commercials, naming and identity, branded entertainment, package design and experiential — when we say we’ve done it all, we mean it.
We aim for zero wheel spinning. Our teams succeed because we give them the guidance and creative leadership they need to deliver breakthrough solutions without a lot of trial and error.
70% of our business is by referral. It’s great for us because we save a ton of money on new business pitches but it’s even better for you because it shows how trusted we are by our clients.
Photography by Bruce Gilden/Magnum Photos
Founder &
Creative Director
Stephen Goldblatt’s advertising career is like a good play — it can be divided into three acts. In act one, Stephen focused on learning his craft. From Prague to Brazil and then back to his hometown of Dallas, he turned his youthful wanderlust and his passion for creative advertising into a global education that would serve him well for years to come.
In act two, Stephen headed west to work at some of the country’s most famous agencies. At Butler, Shine, Stern and Partners he got his first taste of being an award winning creative by taking home a Cannes Gold Lion for his work on the SF Jazz Fest. After that, Goodby Silverstein came calling and Stephen went to work creating some of the agency’s most iconic and highly awarded work including The Slowskys for Comcast and The “Hands” campaign for HP.
With a deep understanding of how to produce famous work and a natural inclination towards emerging technology, Stephen pivoted into creative leadership positions at Evolution Bureau and then Mullen/Lowe where he not only continued to rack up the awards but, as Chief Digital Officer, led all digital efforts across their San Francisco and Boston offices. He was named one of the Top Ten Minds in Digital by Adweek and one of the 25 Most Creative People in Advertising by Business Insider.
So, if act one was about Stephen learning his craft and act two was about him mastering it, it wouldn’t be far off the mark to say that act three is about blowing it all up. During those 20+ years at some of the world’s best agencies, Stephen started to form a completely new agency model in his head. One without the bloat and barriers that drive up costs and stifle creative thinkers. That model became Partners in Crime. A more efficient, stream-lined approach to solving business problems through creativity and curating talent that’s scalable, affordable for both his clients and the people who work for him—simply the best way to get to the best work.
