About
We’re out to prove the power of creativity.
![]()
Kansas City (HQ), Denver, New York City, + Pittsburgh
- 1964
Founded
- 550+
Partners
- 100%
Independent at scale
We are an independent, creative idea company committed to knowing the modern consumer better than anyone — because that’s the only way to build a whole brand. Our wide portfolio includes strong retainer categories like consumer-packaged goods, financial services, health care, restaurants, retail + travel/tourism. This is what sets us apart from other agencies: our commitment to knowing modern consumers better than anyone.
This commitment originated a decade ago when we partnered with Boston Consulting Group to study millennials + later Gen Z. This work revealed trends and predicted change: as younger generations changed the way products and services were sold, the habits and choices of older generations followed suit — creating a multi-generational category of shoppers we call modern consumers.
This mindset completely changed the way we look at brands. As a result, we produced our first book on brand-building for the modern consumer, “Scratch: How to Build a Modern Brand from the Inside Out.” The book serves as a how-to guide for our holistic approach to brand-building that treats everything an organization does as the brand. We call this Whole Brand Thinking™. Check out the first two chapters. With images sourced from Instagram + a unique, interactive design, it’s a labor of love for the work we do every day. And we had fun making it.
Why choose a rocket?
We’re known as the ad agency with the rocket on top. As it stands today, the rocket on our roof is a reminder to seek out our client’s biggest possible futures + a symbol of our independence, but the rocket didn’t always belong to Barkley.
The origin of the rocket began when Howard Hughes moved TWA into the Barkley building. But since then, it’s been through some major changes. That rocket, or something like it, has been on a ride, from the top of the building to rusting on the side of the highway, to savior by way of a weed advocate lawyer, to two Disney attractions, + back home again. The Barkley rocket holds a story of its own.
Welcome future partners.
We’re always looking for people with heart + hustle.
From Add Good to B Corp: How Whole Brand Thinking™ led to our latest moonshot
People of Barkley
Diversity + inclusion fuel original thinking — and we’re committed to turning this belief into action every chance we get, from the partners we work with to the ideas we create. See the full list of our featured partners here.
Board
Barkley is led by a dedicated leadership team as well as a volunteer board of directors providing guidance and strategic business advice.
Members-at-large: Phil Alexander Dan Fromm Jeff King Scott McLain Sarah Sikowitz Suzanne Williams
Brands
From business strategy to marketing ideas, consulting projects to campaigns, our ideas have fueled growth for these companies + organizations. See our full list of brands we've worked with here.
