• by Larissa Faw , March 2, 2021

Veteran advertising creatives Rob Baker and Jimmy Bonner are launching a boutique branding shop--Baker & Bonner Creative Emporium. The duo exited the Richard Group last year amid layoffs stemming from business losses following racist statements by agency founder Stan Richards.

Baker and Bonner will both serve as Chief Creative Officers, and their agency will offer a wide array of services to clients including branding, design, strategy, consulting, identity, content, social, experiential, website design and public relations.

“We’ve always talked about starting our own place,” said Bonner. “Given everything going on in the world today, now is the perfect time to launch our creative-driven agency and offer clients financially accessible top-shelf creative services that deliver results.”

The agency launches with a team of five, supported with freelance talent on an as-needed basis. While the team currently works remotely, the two founders are actively looking for a physical location in Dallas. Inaugural clients include rock and roll photographer Danny Clinch and his Transparent Clinch Gallery, as well as London-based Jan Erika Design, Oyster Fine Bamboo Fly Rods, Dallas-based Peacock Alley and R&D Brewing in North Carolina.

The duo spent more than 17 years serving as creative partners and group heads at The Richards Group leading some of its high-profile and awarded work for clients including Ram Trucks, The Home Depot, PGA Tour Superstore, Spalding, GoRVing, Biltmore, Sea Island, Bridgestone and Firestone.