The Brill Building Makes Notable Debut at Kinsale Sharks

The agency founded in 2019 by ex-DDFH&B/JWT Head of Creative Roisin Keown has made an impressive debut at the Kinsale Shark awards with the highest number of awards in creative categories for an Irish agency and by securing one of Ireland’s only two international creative awards.

The Shop That Nearly Wasn’t, the world’s first shop 100% stocked and staffed by cancer survivors, and the ambient integrated campaign created for Breakthrough Cancer Research has been awarded three Kinsale Shark awards from four shortlists. Conceived by The Brill Building team of ECD Roisin Keown and creative director Dan Henson, the work was the first created for Breakthrough Cancer Research from the rebrand project for the organisation won by the new agency in July 2019.

The Shop, which opened in Temple Bar and online on World Cancer Day 2020 showcases the work of cancer survivors, only possible because of the innovations in treatments made by cancer research. Survivors who contributed included illustrator and author of 'The President’s Glasses' Peter Donnelly, dance legend and artist Michael Flatley, film director and author Stephen Bradley, novelist Emily Hourican, artist and advertising creative director Monika Crowley and the work of photographer and melanoma survivor Kevin Griffin – who also shot the creative assets for the Print and Outdoor. Legislator and cancer survivor Senator David Norris was recruited as brand ambassador.

Leading the inter-agency campaign that included PR from ETC, media from Donogh O’Herlihy and online and social from Irish Media Agency, The Brill Building fulfilled its 'one stop shop' ethos by overseeing the fulfilment end to end from brand strategy through to concept, creative, campaign planning and the experiential build itself led by Henson and including producing all the campaign assets in-house working with creative director Peter Snodden, award-winning photographer Kevin Griffin and director of photography Ross O’Callaghan.

At the release of the IDI awards shortlist yesterday The Shop was part of two projects that achieved shortlist for The Brill Building, with their tv work for Champion Green with director Brian Williams also recognised.

The Brill Building is pioneering a new model for agencies which they say works better for client and creatives. Using a lean model, with a small and dedicated project team they work with a highly experienced elite group of freelancers in support, from creatives to digital strategists and production experts specially selected as the team around each project. The approach is common in the production world but hasn’t been seen often before in delivering brand, strategic direction or creative product.

Roisin Keown, founder and ECD, The Brill Building, said: “The success of this project, in achieving national profile for Breakthrough Cancer Research is proof of how effectively our model works. We promote a partnership relationship with our clients without the hierarchy, conflicts and inefficiencies of a more complicated structure and only work with the best when we collaborate. This means we can work faster with less people but still produce effective creative excellence. The experience, talent and drive of our people and partners means we can achieve so much with a small but dedicated squad. Leading a fantastic inter-agency team who delivered superb media, PR and digital experience was such an honour, and at the centre of that team are our clients. Our model is not for everyone, but it works for clients who want to get great work made quickly without layers of administration or long developmental processes. We are thrilled to achieve recognition for Breakthrough and particularly CEO Orla Dolan who put such faith in us. It’s been an inspiring journey so far”

Dan Henson, creative director,The Brill Building, said: “Róisín and I felt a real need to make a difference with this work – we both are close to people who were suffering from cancer and felt a sense of urgency and purpose in showcasing the world beating innovations that Breakthrough bring to the table. These awards are a lovely addition to a moving and worthwhile experience which will help to give back that time that nearly wasn’t to so many people. If it weren’t for the work that Breakthrough do, none of it would be possible.