What Is a Virtual Advertising Agency?
Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, O’Brien Advertising isn’t like other local agencies. Rather than operating with a traditional office structure and full-time staff, we rely on a network of seasoned freelancers with diverse skills and deep agency experience—including work with some of the largest companies in the country.
We work from home offices and stay in constant communication, connected virtually throughout the workday. This lean, flexible setup allows us to focus our resources on client work—not on overhead like rent, furniture, utilities, or office equipment. Many members of our network are located right here in Little Rock or nearby Memphis.
Chris O’Brien serves as your main point of contact, copywriter, creative director, and strategist on all projects—unless arranged otherwise.
How It Works
Freelancer-based
At the core of this model is a team of freelancers, each specializing in a specific area of advertising—such as copywriting, graphic design, photography, or web development..
Virtual / Remote
Everyone on the team works remotely, which eliminates the need for a physical office and significantly reduces overhead costs.
Mostly Local
Chris O’Brien is based in Little Rock, and many of the creative professionals we work with are located nearby, including in Memphis. This allows for in-person collaboration when needed.
Project-focused
Clients typically engage O’Brien Advertising for specific projects or campaigns, rather than ongoing, long-term contracts.
Flexibility and Cost-Efficiency
This model provides clients with flexibility in choosing the right specialists for each job—often at a lower cost than traditional agencies.
About Chris O’Brien
Chris has worked in the advertising industry for more than 20 years. Over the course of his career, he has served as a creative director, associate creative director, senior copywriter, and creative team leader at some of the region’s largest agencies, including Archer Malmo (Memphis), Stone Ward, MHP/TeamSI, and Sullivan (Memphis). As a freelancer, he has assisted agencies from London (M&C Saatchi) to Honolulu (FINN, MVNP), as well as local clients and agencies (Stone Ward, CJRW, MHP, ERI).
Originally from Virginia, Chris moved to Arkansas as a child. He returned to his home state for college and graduated from Washington and Lee University. He began his career in the mortgage department at Simmons Bank, while also writing music reviews for a local newspaper and co-hosting a weekly radio show. After a brief stint in law school at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, he pivoted to pursue a career in advertising.
Some of Chris’s accomplishments include helping transform a challenger CPG brand into a category leader with $1 billion in annual sales and 500 million units sold, developing a breakthrough campaign for a casino that doubled its annual revenue, and leading the rebranding of the nation’s largest rural internet service provider—doubling subscriptions. His work has earned numerous regional, national, and international honors for creative excellence.
Client Experience
In his agency and freelance career, Chris O’Brien has worked with the following clients, among others:
ABF Freight, Acxiom, Alltel, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, Arkansas Surgical Hospital, Arkansas Urology, Bank OZK, Baptist Health, Burger King, CHI St. Vincent, Centennial Bank, Central Pacific Bank, Dillard’s, Entergy, Garver, Grizzly Smokeless Tobacco, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, Hawaiian Airlines, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Keep Arkansas Beautiful, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, Little Rock Parks & Recreation, McDonald’s, Meineke Car Care Center, Memphis Redbirds, Mountain Valley Spring Water, Palm Beach Tan, Pizza Ranch, Simmons Bank, Southland Casino, TCBY, Terminix, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, University of Central Arkansas, Windstream, Yarnell’s Ice Cream
Disclaimer
The work featured on this site represents selected projects Chris O’Brien has had a key role in concepting, strategizing, writing, directing, and/or producing as a freelance copywriter/creative director or employee of the businesses listed in project credits. All brand names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Work is presented for portfolio purposes only and does not imply ownership, endorsement, or ongoing relationship. If you are the rights holder of any content displayed here and would like it removed or modified, please contact me directly.