Growing the iAOR into the AOR

Identified as an interactive shop, how do you seize opportunities to engage the client in discussions about core brand and strategic planning so you can move yourself more squarely into the field occupied by the traditional agency of record?

Craigslist 2.0: Pondering a Redesign of Craigslist

Looking at the redesign of Craigslist by DesignEye, I can see why Craig Newmark never implemented it. The design is without voices. As Gawker says, "The new design is gorgeous, slick, ..."

Behind the design of the existing Craigslist you can hear the rabble. It's interesting. craigslist.org's design speaks well for what it is. What DesignEye has done IS gorgeous and slick. But is that good? Is that part of the existing brand? It's something like a person who is nice to look at but does not want to be touched nor associate with us too much.

Gorgeous and slick is the destination of too many agency minds and too many websites.

If I were to redesign craigslist.org I would start with the rabble piece of the brand. I don't think my design would look all that much like what CL looks like now. But that's OK. I don't think the real design elements of CL is in the taxonomy made visible -- it's in the feel.

I would make it feel like a populist cafe. A rabble. Lots of action with quick access. And maybe add a better search function.