RED212 | a small big brand agency

about RED212

RED212 is an agency focused on solutions not ads. We are incontrovertibly strategic and uncompromisingly creative, translating deep consumer insights — the “ahas” if you will — into simple, relevant, engaging expressions, without media bias, predisposition or limitation.

We believe that innovation is a fountain of eternal youth for brands anxious to propel themselves to perpetual success, by creating stark differentiation and competitive distance from their so-called competition.

We believe that business can and should be a force for change, and we are guided by three unwavering principles: Truth, Simplicity and Humanity.

Anne Chambers

Kara Schwandner

Richard Walker

Donivan Perkins

Anne Chambers

CEO

After a decade-plus career with Procter & Gamble, Anne unfurled her entrepreneurial flag, jumped from the towers, and set out to build an ad agency that would challenge the common wisdom of what an agency could be. It presupposed that what clients really wanted was a collaborative organization that would stand side by side with them to create ideas, big, small or otherwise, all with one common goal of building brand value. No media predispositions, no barriers and no lines in the sand.

If that weren’t enough, Anne has taken on the world of social entrepreneurism, both as a member of Social Venture Network and through the creation of her own brand for good “Ma-Me,” an on-the-go edamame snack with profits used to support international adoption.

Under her leadership, RED212 has grown to one of the most surprising and most respected agencies around, with a who’s who list of Fortune 500 global and domestic companies. Not bad for a leap of faith.

Kara Schwandner

Partner / Director of Client Services

As a founding partner, Kara has been instrumental to the growth of the agency and the long-term strength of its relationships. Built on her keen eye for insight and gut for strategy, Kara’s track record for delivering breakthrough business results for brands big and small has become a hallmark of RED212, as well as a significant pillar of her own brand character.

As part of our belief in the responsibility of business to be a force for change, Kara is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to organizing and raising funds for worthwhile groups including Kindervelt – an organization that provides funding to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Kara’s collaborative style, as well as her push for and openness to new and even more dynamic ways to think about this venerable business, helps to keep RED212 an agency that is fleet, flexible and ever evolving.

Richard Walker

Partner / COO / Director of Production

Herding cats, wrangling fleas, shoveling smoke, whatever you call it, making things happen in an environment of choreographed chaos takes experience, patience and in our case, Richard.

With more than 20 years of project management and production experience for clients like Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, J&J and McDonald’s, Richard knows how to bring out the best in a group and help organize for success. Balance this with degrees in both photography and architecture, and you get a structured, creative, problem solver who not only gets it, but knows how to get it done.

Not surprisingly, Richard’s influence can be felt across all corners of the agency in the form of openness, purpose, energy and collaboration.

Donivan Perkins

Partner / ECD / Creative Protagonist

As a consumer, an idea should stop you dead in your tracks, spin your head around and compel you to act in the best interest of the brand it represents. As a brand, that same idea often makes you sweat, challenges your constitution and tempts you to search for the escape hatch. Donivan’s job is to see to it that that idea is found, nurtured and executed in a way that delivers on all counts.

Donivan will tell you himself that his most important contribution to any creative process is to help identify the right insight, the right strategy, the right team, and then step back and let them run. He’s been doing it for more years than he can count, for clients as diverse as P&G, Humana, Ashland, Long John Silvers, Pork. The Other White Meat and literally dozens more.

As for his embarrassingly long list of the industry’s most prestigious, self-congratulatory awards – One Show, Addys, Obies and Effies, etc. – he has ‘em, he’s just not that obsessed with them.