Poke The Bear™ portfolio already includes work for Nature Nate’s, Darden, and Johnsonville
The award-winning advertising industry team of Bill Milkereit and Todd Tucker has formally launched a new branding agency, Poke The Bear, and unveiled a blunt philosophy for its approach to creative work and sticky brand solutions at its new website, pokethebear.agency. The bold name and arresting logo are meant to encourage brands to be daring and take risks worth taking – with an expectation of bigger rewards, such as those the team’s “skins on the wall” prove.
Milkereit and Tucker both hail from TRG (formerly The Richards Group) and are responsible for some of the most memorable work in the field, including spots for Chick-fil-A’s legendary EAT MOR CHIKIN Cow campaign, The Home Depot, Fruit of the Loom, The Atlanta Falcons and the Southeastern Conference’s “It Just Means More” campaign.
With a moniker like Poke The Bear, the two are betting on the name making a powerful impression. “Poke The Bear is exactly what we’ve made a successful career doing. We poke. We prod. We provoke. And brands prevail,” says Milkereit. “This name and logo are impossible to ignore. Poke The Bear not only reflects our style but also, to any potential partner, it’s our agency’s big differentiator. And hey, it actually means something.”
After nearly three decades between them in the industry learning from some of the most talented creatives in the country, the duo’s new firm begins with some pretty big votes of confidence from brands already on its roster: Nature Nate’s Honey Co., Darden Restaurant Group’s Yard House, Eddie V’s and Capital Burger; and Johnsonville through lead agency Hold Fast & Co, are among Poke The Bear’s first clients.
Milkereit added, “If we have a wheelhouse, it’s partnering with brands — big or small — who know they simply can’t afford to blend in. Our track record proves it: Our campaigns tend to stick around awhile. So, we’d like to, as well.”
“Simply put, they have delivered the best creative work our brand has ever had. It pushed our brand’s look, feel and vibe to resonate with today’s shoppers. Their work is disruptive and brilliant. Every single time. They’re quick learners and fantastic listeners. They aren’t a typical (tired) agency; I consider PTB the secret weapon on my marketing team to drive brand meaningful growth, ” Becca May, senior vice president, Nature Nate’s Honey Co.
Notes co-founder Todd Tucker, “As we like to say, every brand faces a bear of a challenge. Could be a lack of awareness. Or a misperception. Or a crowded shelf. Or at the mercy of a big, slow creative partner that’s neither all that creative nor much of a partner. We encourage any brand to think and act as a challenger brand — and we are committed to owning the challenge with them. Game-changing creative ideas are rare, but they’re still out there if you know where to look – if you’re willing to get under the skin of a brand.””
Poke the Bear operates as a 100% independently owned partnership and recently hired a Director of Operations. More information, sample work and more about the Poke The Bear’s story can be found at www.pokethebear.agency, on Instagram: @pokethebear.agency, on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pokethebearagency/. Prospective partners can reach Poke The Bear at hello@pokethebear.agency.
