What Is a Virtual Advertising Agency?
Based in Little Rock, Ark., 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 and extensive agency experience working with some of largest companies in the country.
We all work from home offices and are in constant communication, connected virtually the entire workday. This allows us to keep our costs focused on our clients instead of on a receptionist, building rent, furniture, utilities, office equipment, etc. Many in our network are based nearby in Little Rock or Memphis.
Chris O’Brien is the lead client contact, copywriter, creative director, and strategist on all work unless arranged otherwise.
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 creative director, associate creative director, senior copywriter, and creative team leader 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 annual revenue, and rebranding the nation’s largest rural internet service provider, 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 Each of us works remotely, 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.
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