Episode Summary
In this episode, Robin Albin of Insurgents shares how her “Hollywood model” agency disrupts traditional branding structures by curating teams for each unique project. With a career that spans from copywriting gigs to founding two influential agencies, Robin’s insights are as bold as the brands she builds.
Episode Highlights:
- Building Brands from a Single Word: How “respect” became the backbone of Origins’ revolutionary approach to skincare.
- The Hollywood Model: Why Robin ditched the traditional agency format for a flexible, curated team approach and how clients benefit.
- Serendipity as Strategy: The unexpected turns that shaped Robin’s career, including her first gig born out of a client’s unsolicited phone call.
- Fearlessness in Practice: Lessons from pushing clients outside their comfort zone and what to do when they push back.
- Creating for Good: Robin’s passion project Everlusting and the movement to reinvigorate the senses for aging populations.
Agency Info
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Company: Insurgents.io
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Guest: Robin Albin
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Year Started: 2017
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Employees: 1-10
It’s your idea, not mine. My job is to liberate it and catch you before you fall.
Robin Albin
Key Takeaways
Build with Purpose, Start with One Word
Robin’s methodology revolves around distilling a brand to a core concept. With Origins, that word was respect,for the consumer, for the planet, and for wellness. That singular focus guided everything from product naming to packaging and communications. “If all you have is one idea, you’re in big trouble. You gotta have lots of ideas and you can’t be afraid of them.”
Ditch the Structure, Curate the Talent
Rather than maintaining a permanent team, Insurgents operates on a project-by-project model, assembling handpicked creatives for each engagement. This allows Robin to stay lean, relevant, and aligned with the right people for the job—free of legacy baggage.
Lead with Empathy, Not Ego
Robin’s archetype is equal parts rebel and caretaker. She leads from behind, championing her clients’ ideas and protecting their risk-taking journey. It’s not about her vision, it’s about amplifying theirs.
Know When to Say No
Not every client is ready to be pushed. Robin shares a story about a promising project that fell apart when a founder got cold feet. It’s a reminder that being a visionary agency means sometimes losing business when a client isn’t aligned with bold moves.
Create Beyond Commerce
Robin’s newest venture, Everlusting, blends sensory science with storytelling to promote healthy aging. It’s not just a brand, it’s a movement to restore the importance of taste, smell, and touch in longevity and quality of life.
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