Content That Connects, Episode 2 - Erich & Kallman on Why Being ‘Small’ Is a Strength

Little Black Book (LBB) and AdFusion™ from Comcast Technology Solutions (CTS) return with the second episode of ‘Content that Connects’. Gathering the brightest minds and voices in the industry, the production-focused series tackles topics such as purpose-marketing, in-housing strategies, and sustainability within the production landscape.

In this episode, LBB’s Americas reporter Ben Conway meets some of the leadership team of the advertising agency, Erich & Kallman. Recently named AdAge’s ‘Small Agency of the Year’, the San Francisco based agency discusses company culture, talent and a love for the craft that keeps them driving forward. 

Ben is joined by founder and chief creative officer, Eric Kallman, executive head of production, Kati Haberstock, and chief marketing officer, Stephen Larkin. Delving into the origin story of Erich & Kallman and the founding principles that guide it, the conversation explores the ‘magic’ embedded in the business model, the culture that supports a community of ‘do-ers’, and why the agency ‘love Mondays’. 

Despite being named Small Agency of the Year, Stephen comments on his dislike of the word, stating, “we’re big enough to be dangerous, we do great work with great brands - we’re smaller, but we’re not small”. Instead, Erich & Kallman consider its size its biggest asset, allowing its talent across departments access to numerous opportunities to get stuck in, learn and grow.  

Talking of Erich & Kallman’s production department, Kati discusses how the model is set up to suit the agency’s structure and do-er approach, “people feel free to work in a way where they don’t feel like they have to come and ask for approval at every step of the way”. The department is upheld for its agile nature, nimble approach and scalability, as Kati reflects,  “and can we do everything? Absolutely.”

The conversation moves into some of the recent work coming out of Erich & Kallman, from its comedic campaign for Autoglass, to the 2024 Super Bowl spot for Reeses, and teases that its 2025 Super Bowl work will be “your favourite ads ever”. 

Ending on a lighthearted yet sincere note, it’s evident that the team loves what they do and has fun whilst doing it, with Eric even stating, “our lives are in shambles outside of Erich & Kallman - but man, do we really crush the work!”