Work & Co launched in 2013 when a group of senior leaders left Huge to build the agency they always wanted. The founders — Gene Liebel, Felipe Memoria, and others — believed agencies had become too bureaucratic and too focused on process at the expense of craft.
The result is a studio that operates more like a product team than a traditional agency. Every project is led by a partner who actually does the work, not just manages the relationship. Designers code, developers design, and everyone ships.
Work & Co’s client roster includes Apple, IKEA, Gatorade, Marriott, and Chase. Their Virgin America website redesign became a landmark project in the industry, winning multiple Webby Awards and setting a new standard for airline digital experiences.
The agency runs studios in Brooklyn, Portland, Sao Paulo, and Belgrade. Despite growing to nearly 500 people, they’ve maintained a flat structure with minimal middle management. Teams are small — typically six to eight people — and self-directed.
Their business model is unusual for an agency: they often negotiate equity stakes or revenue-sharing arrangements alongside traditional fees. This aligns their incentives with client outcomes and attracts the kind of entrepreneurial talent that typically gravitates toward startups rather than agencies.
