Take risks.
Counter culture.

Two decades ago we were a small creative collective working with big brands like Burton Snowboards.

Today, we’re makers pushing past market expectations, branding experts working alongside clients who value one-of-a-kind work, and risk-takers solving complex problems with creativity.

In the in-between, we’ve built a team and portfolio that’s gained a reputation for being unapologetically authentic.

Whether you’re here looking for your next ad partner or to make your next career move, there’s one thing we want to make clear about this business—we all have a choice: we can either follow or Defy.

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Before we defy, we define.

The foundation of great work is a strong strategy. It’s what guides the courses we take to get clients where they want to go.

We prefer open communication with our clients to learn their businesses, develop relationships with their team, and jot down the small anecdotes that lead to big ideas down the line.

DEVELOPING GREAT WORK REQUIRES TRUST.

We believe an environment that promotes our team’s physical and mental health creates an atmosphere of inspiration and collaboration. So that’s just what we do. Together we’ve developed a flexible workflow that allows us to influence culture from the inside of our office or from the inside of our homes.

Our investment in people grows well outside our workspace. We understand this is all bigger than ourselves, so Defy continues to serve nonprofits and the ad community at large.

Ready to Defy?

Fill out the forms below or email newbiz@wedefy.com

GENERAL INQUIRIES

CAREERS

Don’t see a position for you? Send your stuff to team@wedefy.com. We’re always interested in putting the best talent on our radar.

As we close out Pride Month, our team wanted to share the results of the hunt we’ve been on since June 1: how to support the LGBTQIA+ community (ideally locally) with our wallets, WITHOUT falling prey to rainbow washing.

The organizations below all fit what we’re looking for: they support equality and marginalized groups year-round. If you’re looking to make a statement with your dollar, check them out.

PHILLY AIDS THRIFT

Since 2005, Philly AIDS Thrift has donated more than $2.5M (!) to HIV/AIDS-related organizations in and around the city, and offers tons of ways to get involved – they’d be happy to have you shop, donate, or volunteer.

BEYOND THE BELL TOURS

Friends in town? Want to learn more about your neighborhood’s history? Looking to support a LGBTQIA+-friendly brand feet-first? Visit Beyond the Bell Tours and schedule a walk-through of the Gayborhood.

WILLIAM WAY LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER

Go beyond retail and show your support by becoming a member of the William Way LGBT Community Center – it’s a phenomenal way to help LGBTQIA+ community every day of the year, and comes with the added bonus of member discounts to a variety of allied Philly shops that can serve your day-to-day needs, including Eye Candy Vision (30% off), and Optimal Sport Health Club (no enrollment fee).

BLISS

Cruelty-free skincare brand Bliss is a national brand with a year-round commitment to LGBTQIA+ and equality-driven causes. In 2020, the brand announced a long term relationship with The Trevor Project, to which they’ve pledged $150,000.

BMCARTSHOP

Prefer to support local makers online? Visit Etsy and check out BMcArtShop, run by queer trans*masculine artist Bryan James McKinney (“Owner, Creator, Anything And Everything”).

Love is love.
Defy

2.15.21

You always had a choice. Instead of following, you chose to Defy.

As you’ve come to know from our relationship, we always looked to push beyond limits to help our clients create work that stands out from the norm.

Over the last 12 months, we’ve finally gotten around to focusing this same approach on our own agency.

Moving forward, the agency formerly known as [ 2 one 5 ] Creative will go by Defy.

Our new brand name honors the spirit of our beginnings as an artists collective 20 years ago, and lights an exciting path ahead for an agency that continues to grow and evolve.

Together, we look forward to continuing to defy the conventional, limits, and expectations in 2021 and beyond.

Take risks.Counter culture.