About Chris O’Brien
Chris has been working in the advertising industry for more than 20 years. During this time, he has held positions as senior copywriter, associate creative director, and creative director at some of the area’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, 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. Chris left banking for law school at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville before eventually departing to pursue a career in advertising.
A few of his accomplishments in advertising include evolving a challenger brand into a number one CPG brand with $1 billion in annual sales and 500 million units sold, helping a casino break through the advertising clutter and double its annual revenue, and rebranding the country’s largest rural internet service provider and doubling subscriptions. In addition, his work is some of the most awarded in the region, recognized nationally and internationally for creative excellence.
How It Works
Freelancer-based The core of this model is the use of freelancers, each specializing in a specific area of advertising (e.g., copywriting, graphic design, photography, web development).
Virtual/Remote These freelancers work remotely, often from their own homes or shared workspaces, eliminating the need for a physical office space and reducing overhead costs.
Mostly Local Chris O’Brien is based in Little Rock with many of the creative professionals utilized located in the area or nearby in Memphis, so we can work with the client in-person when necessary.
Project-based Clients typically hire a virtual agency for specific projects or campaigns, rather than long-term contracts.
Flexibility and Cost-Efficiency This model offers clients flexibility in choosing specialists and potentially lower costs compared to traditional agencies.
What is a Virtual Advertising Agency?
O’Brien Advertising isn’t like other local advertising agencies. Instead of a traditional agency structure with physical offices and full-time employees, O’Brien relies on a network of freelancers with diverse skills who work together on a project basis as needed.
As a virtual advertising agency of freelancers, O’Brien is based in Little Rock, Arkansas, but utilizes a group of independent, often remote (virtual) creative professionals who collaborate to deliver advertising services to clients. Many in this network are based nearby in Little Rock or Memphis.
Chris O’Brien is the client contact, copywriter, creative director, and lead strategist on all work.
Client Experience
In his agency and freelance career, Chris O’Brien has worked with the following clients and more:
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, Hawaiian Airlines, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Keep Arkansas Beautiful, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Little Rock Parks and 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.
About Chris O’Brien
Chris has been working in the advertising industry for more than 20 years. During this time, he has held positions as senior copywriter, associate creative director, and creative director at some of the area’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, 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. Chris left banking for law school at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville before eventually departing to pursue a career in advertising.
A few of his accomplishments in advertising include evolving a challenger brand into a number one CPG brand with $1 billion in annual sales and 500 million units sold, helping a casino break through the advertising clutter and double its annual revenue, and rebranding the country’s largest rural internet service provider and doubling subscriptions. In addition, his work is some of the most awarded in the region, recognized nationally and internationally for creative excellence.
How It Works
Freelancer-based The core of this model is the use of freelancers, each specializing in a specific area of advertising (e.g., copywriting, graphic design, photography, web development).
Virtual/Remote These freelancers work remotely, often from their own homes or shared workspaces, eliminating the need for a physical office space and reducing overhead costs.
Mostly Local Chris O’Brien is based in Little Rock with many of the creative professionals utilized located in the area or nearby in Memphis, so we can work with the client in-person when necessary.
Project-based Clients typically hire a virtual agency for specific projects or campaigns, rather than long-term contracts.
Flexibility and Cost-Efficiency This model offers clients flexibility in choosing specialists and potentially lower costs compared to traditional agencies.
What is a Virtual Advertising Agency?
O’Brien Advertising isn’t like other local advertising agencies. Instead of a traditional agency structure with physical offices and full-time employees, O’Brien relies on a network of freelancers with diverse skills who work together on a project basis as needed.
As a virtual advertising agency of freelancers, O’Brien is based in Little Rock, Arkansas, but utilizes a group of independent, often remote (virtual) creative professionals who collaborate to deliver advertising services to clients. Many in this network are based nearby in Little Rock or Memphis.
Chris O’Brien is the client contact, copywriter, creative director, and lead strategist on all work.
Client Experience
In his agency and freelance career, Chris O’Brien has worked with the following clients: 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, Hawaiian Airlines, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Keep Arkansas Beautiful, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Little Rock Parks and 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.