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Work & Co

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Work & Co is a technology and design company founded in 2013. Headquartered in Dumbo, Brooklyn, it has offices in Portland, Oregon, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Copenhagen, Belgrade, Los Angeles and Atlanta, Georgia.

Work & Co
FoundedMay 2013; 11 years ago (May 2013)
Founder
  • Gene Liebel
  • Felipe Memoria
  • Joe Stewart
  • Mohan Ramaswamy
  • Marcelo Eduardo
Headquarters
Dumbo, Brooklyn
,
United States
Number of locations
8
Area served
Worldwide
ServicesDigital
Owner
Number of employees
~500[1]
Websitework.co

The firm designs and develops digital products and services for businesses and non-profit organizations. Notable current and past clients include Acorns, Aesop, ALDO,[2] Apple, Bottega Veneta, Claro, Disney, Grupo Globo, Google, Epic Games, Gatorade, Hippo, IKEA,[3] Mailchimp, Mercedes-Benz, MTA,[4] Nike, Planned Parenthood, T-Mobile and Virgin America.[5]

Work & Co focuses on three core disciplines to create digital products from concept through launch. These include websites, e-commerce platforms, mobile apps, AI tools, chatbots, physical-digital experiences, digital kiosks, and employee tools.[6]

History

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Opened in May 2013, Work & Co was founded by Gene Liebel, Felipe Memoria, Joe Stewart, Mohan Ramaswamy and Marcelo Eduardo.[7] Five years later, it opened a new office in Portland, Oregon.[8][9]

In 2019, the firm expanded its presence in Europe, opening an office in Copenhagen[10] around the same time IKEA named Work & Co as their digital product agency-of-record.[11] After that, it acquired a mobile app development company, Tendigi,[12] and a data and analytics firm, Acknowledge Digital.[13]

In 2022, the company opened additional offices in Los Angeles, California and Atlanta, taking the total number of offices across the globe from six to eight.[14] In April, it acquired digital product consultancy Presence.[15]

After Work & Co laid off 8% of its staff in 2023,[16] Accenture agreed to acquire the company the following year, without the terms of the transaction being disclosed.[17] On January 22, 2024, it was announced that the Irish-American firm had completed the purchase of Work & Co.[18]

Processes and values

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Work & Co is known for its collaborative process with clients and being-hands on, sharing working prototypes throughout, rather than unveiling finished work.[19][20] Projects typically have small, senior teams including company partners and founders who are hands-on active members on each project.[21][22]

Teams are dedicated to one project at a time—eliminating the need for timesheets traditional to most agencies. Members work cross-functionally across design, product, engineering, and QA, with active involvement of all stakeholders starting at kickoff.[23] The company operates with a single P&L to encourage company-wide collaboration. Often, new employees are hired as suitable candidates are discovered, as opposed to waiting to meet the needs of upcoming projects.[24]

The company has been vocal about its stance in supporting social movements related to DACA and immigration, sanctuary cities, women's health, climate change, and voting rights.[25][26][27][28][29]

Through the Work & Co Fund, the company has also allocated pro bono work and resources to innovative and cause-based projects. Projects resulting from the 2020 pledge include Ameelio,[30] and The Diversity in Design collaborative.[31]

Awards and recognition

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The company has earned several accolades including being twice named to AdAge's A-List[32][33] and Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies,[34][35] Digiday's 2018 Agency of the Year,[36] and one of the most Consequential Agencies in Business by Forbes.[37] In 2021, FastCo named the company as a finalist in the Design Company of the Year category.[38] Advertising Age listed Work & Co at number 2 of their 2021 Agency A-List.[39]

Its work for clients has been recognized by several top awards shows including Webby Awards,[40][41] and Design Week category shortlists and wins,[42] among others.

Notable work

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Virgin America

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In 2014, Virgin America partnered with Work & Co to overhaul their website and improve their digital flight-booking process.[43] The agency created the first-ever fully responsive website for a major airline company.[44] After winning a Bronze Lion in Design,[45] Virgin America then named Work & Co their digital agency of record, tasking them with the redesign other products including their mobile app and in-flight entertainment system.[46]

Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA)

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In October 2020, Work & Co released a major redesign of the MTA's New York City subway map, accessible through digital and mobile devices.[47][48] The Live Subway Map is an interactive digital product that builds upon the iconic designs by Unimark International and Michael Hertz Associates. It combines the geometric clarity of Massimo Vignelli’s diagram with the geographical and organic curves by Hertz, and connects to a live database for real-time service updates.[49] The project was pro bono.[50]

In March 2021, a feature was added to display COVID-19 vaccination sites across the city.[51]

The Live Subway Map received recognition for its advancements in design and public utility, being named as one of the 100 best inventions of 2021 by Time,[52] as well as People’s Voice Winner and Webby Winner in the Best Mobile UX category from the Webby Awards,[53] and Indigo Awards’ Digital Design of the Year.[54] The product received a Gold Lion for Digital Craft from Cannes Lions,[55] Transportation Award by Core77,[56] and several others.

IKEA

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As IKEA’s digital agency of record,[57] Work & Co has defined and created a number of the company’s digital experiences. Project’s include creating the IKEA's first e-commerce app[58] and overhauling all digital touchpoints in store and online.[59] As part of this work, the company created a strategy to implement a new level of standards for ethical digital data collection and usage.[60] These control features were issued to counter a trend of major retailers collecting and selling user data.[61]

Gatorade

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In 2018, PepsiCo hired Work & Co to help the brand with digital innovation, beginning a long-term, multi-project partnership.[62] Work & Co created the strategy and roadmap digital products—including the Gatorade.com site and Gx and Highlights apps—then systematically developed and launched them.[63]

The Gx app pairs with the Gx Sweat Patch, Gatorades first major step into wearable technology.[64] The app was named 2022 Mobile Design of the Year by the Indigo Awards.[65]

Planned Parenthood

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In 2019, Work & Co partnered with Planned Parenthood for America to determine ways in which technology could extend the non-profit’s reach and impact among teen populations.[66] Work & Co conducted research with teenagers for several months, testing a series of concepts before establishing a plan on “Roo,” a gender-neutral, AI-powered chatbot providing private and doctor-reviewed sexual health information. To emphasize privacy, the tool does not use cookies or collect location information.[67] Work & Co designed and developed the brand, product interface, AI chat engine, back end, and oversaw the product's launch.[68] Within the first year, Roo engaged in more than 3.5 million conversations.[69]

Givenchy

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Fashion brand Givenchy tapped Work & Co to improve their digital capabilities, including a comprehensive rebrand and buildout of their e-commerce products. [70] The new site garnered numerous accolades, including gold medals from Indigo Design Awards, Muse Creative Awards, and Vega Awards.[71][72][73]

References

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  1. ^ "Work & Co". Built in NYC.
  2. ^ McAteer, Oliver (September 26, 2018). "ALDO team up with Work & Co for launch of special sneaker line". Campaign Live.
  3. ^ Graham, Megan (February 26, 2019). "IKEA TAPS WORK & CO AS DIGITAL PRODUCT PARTNER". AdAge.
  4. ^ Gianatasio, David (October 28, 2020). "Inside Work & Co's Design of NYC's New Live Subway Map". Muse.
  5. ^ "Most Innovative Companies: Work & Co". Fast Company.
  6. ^ "Work & Co". AdAge AMP. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  7. ^ Bruell, Alexandra (May 21, 2013). "Group of Senior Execs Depart Huge to Form New Digital Shop". AdAge.
  8. ^ Ptacek, Michal (March 1, 2019). "A Tour of Work & Co's Minimalist New Portland Office". Officelovin'.
  9. ^ Gibson, Elenor (October 5, 2018). "Casework turns Portland industrial building into collaborative workspace". Dezeen.
  10. ^ Whitman, Richard (February 27, 2019). "Work & Co Opens Office In Copenhagen". MediaPost.
  11. ^ Graham, Megan (February 26, 2019). "IKEA TAPS WORK & CO AS DIGITAL PRODUCT PARTNER". AdAge.
  12. ^ Smiley, Minda (October 2, 2019). "Work & Co Acquires Tendigi, a Mobile Design and Development Studio". Adweek.
  13. ^ Coffee, Patrick (February 13, 2020). "A buzzy digital agency that handles Apple and Nike just snapped up a data firm and says it has a plan to go up against consultancies like Accenture". Business Insider.
  14. ^ Wingate, Keira (February 2, 2022). "WORK AND CO OPENS ATLANTA AND LA OFFICES IN HUNT FOR NEW TALENT".
  15. ^ "Work & Co Acquires Presence". April 18, 2022.
  16. ^ "Work & Co lays off 8% of staff". January 24, 2023.
  17. ^ "Accenture to Acquire Work & Co to Strengthen its Global Digital Products and Experience Transformation Capabilities". January 9, 2024.
  18. ^ "Accenture Completes Acquisition of Global Digital Product Company Work & Co". Accenture. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  19. ^ Joyner, April (August 25, 2016). "These 4 Brooklyn agencies are killing it right now: an industry insider's take". Technical.ly.
  20. ^ Calica, Adam (June 1, 2020). "How to Manage Scope Creep, 13 Teams Weigh In". BuiltIn.
  21. ^ "Work & Co". AdAge AMP. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  22. ^ Rittenhouse, Lindsay (September 3, 2019). "WORK & CO NAMES FIVE NEW PARTNERS—INCLUDING ONE POACHED FROM HUGE". AdAge.
  23. ^ "How to Align Teams Behind a Product Roadmap". BuiltIn. June 30, 2020.
  24. ^ O'Donnell, Mike (March 22, 2018). "What It Takes to Work at Work & Co: Meet Co-Founder Joe Stewart". Working Not Working.
  25. ^ "BRIEF OF 143 U.S. BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS AND COMPANIES AS AMICI CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF RESPONDENTS" (PDF). SupremeCourt.Gov. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  26. ^ Stein, Lindsay (February 21, 2017). "WORK & CO. JOINS 40-PLUS TECH GIANTS TO OPPOSE TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION BAN". AdAge.
  27. ^ Zanger, Doug (April 14, 2017). "Work & Co supporting SF injunction against 'sanctuary city' executive order".
  28. ^ "Overwhelmed? Planned Parenthood Launches Innovative New Tool to Track the Trump Administration's Attacks on Health and Rights". Planned Parenthood. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  29. ^ "AMERICA IS ALL IN". Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  30. ^ Peters, Adele (May 4, 2021). "This app is making it free for incarcerated people to make video calls". Fast Company.
  31. ^ Wilson, Mark (June 15, 2021). "Only 4.8% of designers are Black. Herman Miller, Adobe, and Gap unveil a plan to change that". Fast Company.
  32. ^ Graham, Megan (April 15, 2019). "AD AGE 2019 A-LIST NO. 6: WORK & CO". AdAge.
  33. ^ Pasquarelli, Adrianne (June 7, 2021). "DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION MAKES WORK & CO'S STAR SHINE". AdAge.
  34. ^ "Most Innovative Companies 2017". Fast Company.
  35. ^ "The World's Most Innovative Companies 2019". Fast Company.
  36. ^ Hayes, Melissa (November 14, 2018). "HP wins Brand of the Year at the Digiday Awards". Digiday.
  37. ^ Dan, Avi (October 6, 2019). "The 10 Most Consequential Agencies Of The Decade: New Leaders Emerge As The Business Shifts". Forbes.
  38. ^ "The best design companies of 2021". Fast Company. September 21, 2021.
  39. ^ Pasquarelli, Adrianne (June 7, 2021). "DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION MAKES WORK & CO'S STAR SHINE". AdAge.
  40. ^ "MTA". The Webby Awards.
  41. ^ "Work & Co". The Webby Awards.
  42. ^ Banks, Tom (June 14, 2021). "Design Week Awards 2021 – the shortlist in full". Design Week.
  43. ^ Burnette, Allegra (December 12, 2014). "Case Study: Disciplined Simplification Elevates The Brand In Virgin America's Site Redesign". Forrester.
  44. ^ "Virgin America's Responsive redesign Details". UserExperienceAwards.com. December 1, 2014.
  45. ^ "Portfolio: Hugo Albonete". OneClub.org. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  46. ^ Plautz, Jessica (July 28, 2016). "Virgin America's New Mobile App Is All About Speed". Travel & Leisure.
  47. ^ Gianatasio, David (October 28, 2020). "Inside Work & Co's Design of NYC's New Live Subway Map". Muse.
  48. ^ Guse, Clayton (October 2, 2020). "Watch the trains in real time on the MTA's new NYC subway map — a boon for armchair trainspotters". nydailynews.com.
  49. ^ Bonanos, Christopher (October 20, 2020). "First Look: New York's Digital Subway Map Comes Alive Today". CURBED.com.
  50. ^ Goldbaum, Christina (October 28, 2020). "Finally, a Subway Map With Real-Time Train Locations and Delays". The New York Times.
  51. ^ Pozarycki, Robert (March 8, 2021). "COVID-19 vaccine sites now searchable on MTA's Live Subway Map". AMNY.com.
  52. ^ "MTA Live Subway Map". Time. November 10, 2021.
  53. ^ "MTA". Webby Awards.
  54. ^ "Live Subway Map". Indigo Awards.
  55. ^ "MTA Live Subway Map Wins Prestigious Gold Lion in Cannes". MTA.info. June 24, 2021.
  56. ^ "Winner Transportation Award". MTA.info. June 24, 2021.
  57. ^ Graham, Megan (February 26, 2019). "IKEA TAPS WORK & CO AS DIGITAL PRODUCT PARTNER". AdAge.
  58. ^ Hensel, Anna (March 12, 2020). "Inside Ikea's e-commerce strategy". Modern Retail.
  59. ^ "IKEA: Defining and executing the vision for the next-generation customer experience". Work & Co.
  60. ^ Ives, Nat (January 30, 2020). "IKEA Promises New Data Controls for Consumers". Wall Street Journal.
  61. ^ Rawlins, Aimee (September 30, 2020). "How Ikeas is handing data control over its customers". FastCo.
  62. ^ Stein, Lindsey (January 24, 2018). "GATORADE HIRES WORK & CO. TO HELP WITH DIGITAL INNOVATION". Ad Age.
  63. ^ "Gatorade: Innovating a CPG business through digital". Work.co.
  64. ^ Shultz, E.J. (March 1, 2021). "GATORADE'S NEW 'SWEAT PATCH' AND APP DELIVER PERSONALIZED HYDRATION RECOMMENDATIONS". Ad Age.
  65. ^ "Indigo Award Winners 2022". Indigo Awards.
  66. ^ "Planned Parenthood: Using AI to reach teens and close the sex education gap". Work & Co.
  67. ^ Paul, Sonia (July 10, 2019). "Roo, is this normal? How teens are talking to a Planned Parenthood chatbot about safe sex". VentureBeat.
  68. ^ Schwab, Katherine (January 24, 2019). "Planned Parenthood designed a chatbot that answers questions about sex". FastCo.
  69. ^ "Planned Parenthood: Using AI to reach teens and close the sex education gap". Work & Co.
  70. ^ "Givenchy Unveils New E-Commerce Site". Work & Co.
  71. ^ "Indigo Design Awards Winners". Indigo.
  72. ^ "Muse Awards Winners". Muse.
  73. ^ "Vega Awards Winners". Vega.
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