Solve brought home the gold.
The Minneapolis advertising agency was named the Midwest Small Agency of the Year at last week's Advertising Age Small Agency Awards in Miami.
The Small Agency Awards were created eight years ago and recognize independent agencies worldwide that have 150 or fewer employees. According to Ad Age, "This community's work often goes unrecognized in the big awards shows. We want to ensure that the smart strategies and innovative ideas produced by these smaller shops are getting their due." In 2013, Solve received a silver award for Midwest Small Agency of the Year.
"We're thankful for this industry recognition," said Solve CEO John Colasanti, in a statement. "To be recognized as the very best from among hundreds of submissions is a strong testament to our business model, talented team and wonderful clients."
Solve, whose offices are off Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis, works with brands including True Value Hardware, Porsche and Founders Brewing Company.
Last week, the five-year old agency launched a choose-your-own-adventure YouTube experience for Président Cheese, a French cheese and butter maker. With the help of YouTube's clickable annotations (those layered boxes and links on videos), Spoon and Stable restaurant owner Gavin Kaysen acts as a Président expert chef and guides viewers to customize a summer salad recipe.
"While many brands tout recipes, this level of expertise and customization is unprecedented," said Karine Blake, Président Cheese marketing director, in a statement. "Where else can you get one-on-one James Beard-level instruction right in your own kitchen?"
