San Francisco agency Butchershop shuts down suddenly
Agency with “beat failure” mantra leaves an estimated 100 employees in limbo.
Hollif
Butchershop, a San Francisco agency whose mantra is “beat failure,” has suddenly shut its doors, leaving an estimated 100 employees without jobs.
It is unknown exactly how many people were employed at the agency, but two people close to the agency—including one former employee—said the shop shuttered completely without notice and is considering filing for bankruptcy.
Founder and Global CEO Trevor Hubbard did not return multiple messages for comment, and a spokeswoman for the agency said she has left the shop and had no comment.
Several Butchershop employees took to LinkedIn to say they were in need of work.
“I lost my job on Friday along with 100 other talented folks,” Butchershop Art Director Michelle Wang wrote. “Now looking for freelance or full-time roles in art direction or brand strategy. Appreciate any leads or connects!”
Butchershop Executive Creative Director Britt Hull wrote, “Seeking a full-time or part-time executive-level role in design, creative or branding with a studio/agency or in-house.”
Butchershop's roster was heavily weighted with tech clients, including, according to its Ad Age Small Agency Awards submission for 2022, Okt, Ironan, Appfire and At-Bay. The shop claimed $12 million in revenue in 2021, which it said represented a 50% increase. For 2022, it projected $30 million in revenue, according to the submission. In 2021, the shop acquired Maniak, a Mexico-based Web3 design and development shop, and opened an office in Vienna.
Its “beat failure” philosophy, according to the agency's submission, “has given Butchershop a disruptive difference, organizing principle, product system and success story. We’re evolving from a creative design agency to a growth and transformation company for brands and companies at big inflection points—startups aiming for acquisition or IPO and challengers needing to upset categories."
