The Public Works crew (from left to right) Brian Hurley, Derek Bitter, Chris Henderson and Jenny McDowell
New Minneapolis advertising agency Public Works has a simple philosophy. It does whatever works whether that is hosting a road tour with guitars made of Fruity Pebbles boxes or helping the Minnesota Wild transform the Land of 10,000 Lakes into the State of Hockey.
Public Works was started earlier this year by local ad house ICF Olson veterans Derek Bitter, Chris Henderson, Brian Hurley and Jenny McDowell.
"I think it's just fascinating to think we are able to solve problems in just a crazy way," said Henderson, Public Works' creative lead.
The Public Works crew is made up of nine people who have setup shop in COCO Uptown located in a former underground parking ramp below the CVS off Lake Street near Lagoon Avenue. The firm hires people who are more Jacks of all trades instead of specialists, which can be tapped into through a network of freelancers, Bitter said. Some of their recent additions have experience from firms such as Paradysz and Space 150 and clients like General Mills and Cambria.
Public Works has seen a flurry of work from clients across different industries. It helped redesign the craft beer cans for Lake Monster Brewing in time for their debut at the new US Bank Stadium. It worked with the Minnesota Wild to define and launch the brand voice for the State of Hockey, an effort that promotes the sport on all levels.
It has also worked on several cereal accounts including reinvigorating Post's Pebbles cereals via broadcast, digital engagement and events during a time when makers of the colorful cereal had struggled with how to position themselves in a more health-conscious market.
"There's nothing wrong with a rainbow in the morning," McDowell said.
The agency is currently focused on a job to reposition some of Warner Brothers' classic cartoons for new audiences.
