CORPORATE REPORT
King James turns 20: give these men a Bell’s
Two decades after taking the plunge, King James has independently retained its place in a fragmented agency world
For an advertising and communications group that has garnered global recognition and accumulated countless awards, the founders remain modest and self-deprecating two decades on. This year, King James advertising agency turns 20. Creative head Alistair King explains what defines the essence of the business: “I have no idea. We’re making it up as we go along. We’re just trying to cram as many talented people into our building as possible and extract as much brilliance and fun as we can.” King James, despite many offers, remains one of a handful of non-network local independent agencies. Over the years, it has created many memorable ads that tapped into deep human truths, overlaid with a style that displays a careful adherence to the craft of advertising. Rival clients are known to ask their agencies to make them a “King James ad”. Given that the liquor business is deeply ingrained in the group’s DNA, it’s fitting that the agency had its genesis at a gathering with ice and clinking gl...
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