C+F staffers celebrating the Small Agency Award from Ad Age are, from left, Tonya Murphy, Mike Hayward, Betti Fujikado and Chris Copacino.
Copacino+Fujikado was named one of the top two advertising agencies in the Northwest Region in Ad Age’s 10th annual Small Agency Awards that “recognize the work that works.”
In the 2019 competition, Portland-based Borders Perrin Norrander was named Northwest Agency of the Year and the Gold award winner, and Copacino+Fujikado was given the Silver award. The first paragraph of the Ad Age write-up sounded like it might have been crafted by C+F’s witty co-founder and chief creative officer, Jim Copacino:
“‘We know. It’s a lot of syllables,’” says Seattle advertising firm Copacino+Fujikado in its awards submission. ‘But we may just be the best agency you’ve never heard of.’
“Co-owned by Betti Fujikdao, the granddaughter of Japanese immigrants, the agency has demonstrated a commitment to diversity and equality. Fujikado, along with chief creative officer Jim Copacino, has strived to attract women and people of color to leadership roles within the advertising world and offers internships year-round, reserving at least one for a first-generation college student.
“The shop is turning out colorful work, too. For Intrinsic Wine, it created an app that animates wine labels and outdoor ads.
“Partnering with the Seattle Mariners, C+F created ‘True to the Blue.’ Prior to the start of the 2019 baseball season, the Mariners traded some of their most well-known stars, leaving the agency with a challenge: How to get fans to connect with and embrace new faces. Calling True to the Blue ‘part rallying cry, part badge of honor,’ C+F produced a series of lighthearted spots highlighting the Mariners’ newest personalities, all while increasing the team’s net sentiment by 55 percent.”
Jim sent this message: “This is the second time in six years we’ve been recognized by Ad Age in the Small Agency of the Year awards. It’s a real tribute to the emerging leadership team here that continues to up the agency’s game strategically, creatively and culturally. Betti and I are very proud of their accomplishments.”