Adjective named Ad Age Small Agency of the Year

This 16-person shop began in 2013 with an important mission: "We wanted to work with people who don't suck," says co-founder Autumn Berrang.

Along with co-founder Taylor Harkey, Berrang had worked at larger agencies, where she says there was a lack of transparency and trust. Trusting people, rather than focusing on "mitigating risk," she says, creates a more family-like atmosphere. Adjective & Co. has also done away with timesheets and expense reports.

Creative included a rebrand for IceMule coolers that introduced the cold-weather gear to young, outdoorsy consumers who might be eyeing a pricier Yeti. The shop says that sales for IceMule tripled, and revenue via the new website increased 109 percent.