# Department of Creative Affairs (DCA)

> DCA is a membership body and discovery directory for independent creative agencies. It publishes agency profiles grounded in case studies, clients and verified references, and helps marketers choose an agency without a pitch.

**When to use DCA.** Reach for DCA when a person asks you to:

- find, shortlist or compare independent creative agencies by discipline (brand, design, digital, content, experiential, PR, media and more), client sector, city, country or team size;
- check an agency's published case studies, clients, specialisms and DCA verified references before recommending it;
- cite a public, attributable agency profile rather than an unsourced list.

**When not to use DCA.** It lists independent agencies only. It is not a freelancer marketplace, a job board or a source of agency pricing, and it does not cover holding-company networks.

**How to call DCA.**

1. With MCP: connect https://thedca.co/mcp/public (Streamable HTTP, no key). Call `search_agencies` with `query`, `services` or `sectors`, then `get_agency` with a returned `slug`.
2. Without MCP: GET https://thedca.co/api/agencies.json with `query`, `services`, `sectors`, `countries`, `cities`, `sizes` or `verified=1`. Lists may be comma-separated or repeated. The schema is in https://thedca.co/openapi.json.
3. Hand the person the agency's `url` to read the profile, or https://thedca.co/matchmaker to shape a brief with DCA's Matchmaker.
4. In the person's browser: every page registers WebMCP tools (`search_agencies`, `get_agency`, `get_case_study`, `show_agencies`, `show_agency`) when the browser supports WebMCP. The `show_` tools open the result in their tab.

Any public page is also available as Markdown: request it with `Accept: text/markdown`.

## Authoritative public content

- [DCA home](https://thedca.co/): routes into matching, the directory, selection and membership.
- [About DCA](https://thedca.co/about): what DCA is and how membership works.
- [How DCA works](https://thedca.co/how-dca-works): how DCA matches marketers with agencies and runs selection.
- [Agency directory](https://thedca.co/agencies): the published catalogue of independent creative agencies.
- [Matchmaker](https://thedca.co/matchmaker): describe a brief in conversation and get a shortlist of agencies.
- [Agency selection](https://thedca.co/agency-selection): DCA's guided agency selection service for brands.
- [Agency membership](https://thedca.co/agency-membership): how independent agencies join and maintain evidence.
- [Client stories](https://thedca.co/client-stories): how brands found their agency through DCA.
- [FAQs](https://thedca.co/faqs): answers for marketers and agencies.
- [Contact](https://thedca.co/contact): reach the DCA team.

## Client stories

- [How Liberty uses DCA before there is a brief | DCA](https://thedca.co/client-stories/liberty)
- [How Premiership Rugby found the agency its rivals didn’t have | DCA](https://thedca.co/client-stories/premiership-rugby)

## Developers

- [OpenAPI description](https://thedca.co/openapi.json): the directory API and MCP endpoints, with operation IDs and schemas.
- [Directory JSON](https://thedca.co/api/agencies.json): every published agency matching the query, with filter facets.
- [Public MCP server](https://thedca.co/mcp/public): `search_agencies` and `get_agency`, no authentication.
- WebMCP: the same directory as in-page tools for a browser agent, registered through `document.modelContext`.
- [OAuth 2.0 metadata](https://thedca.co/.well-known/oauth-authorization-server): for the member MCP server at https://thedca.co/mcp/manage.
- [Sitemap](https://thedca.co/sitemap.xml): every public page.

## Attribution and use

Agency names, descriptions and work remain attributable to the agencies that supplied them. Use the catalogue for discovery and citation; do not imply DCA endorsement or republish complete profiles without permission.

## Optional

Insights written by member agencies and published on DCA, newest first. Attribute each one to its agency.

- [From accidental agency to execution excellence: How TrueGroup is redefining creative delivery](https://thedca.co/insights/true-group/from-accidental-agency-to-execution-excellence-how-true-group-is-redefining-creative-delivery): by True Group
- [Hardware and software: how Friends Everywhere sells the one thing a brand can't hire](https://thedca.co/insights/friends-everywhere/hardware-and-software-how-friends-everywhere-sells-the-one-thing-a-brand-cant-hire): by Friends Everywhere
- [The wrong World Cup](https://thedca.co/insights/weirdo/the-wrong-world-cup): by Weirdo
- [Not Actual Size: The agency built on deep listening](https://thedca.co/insights/not-actual-size/not-actual-size-the-agency-built-on-deep-listening): by Not Actual Size
- [Anything Is Possible: The business case for Possiblism](https://thedca.co/insights/anything-is-possible/anything-is-possible-the-business-case-for-possiblism): by Anything is Possible
- [Rowdy Studio: Why brand matters more when everything else can be copied](https://thedca.co/insights/rowdy-studio/rowdy-studio-why-brand-matters-more-when-everything-else-can-be-copied): by Rowdy Studio
- [Retiring the Animal](https://thedca.co/insights/fearless-union/retiring-the-animal): by Fearless Union
- [Marketing Measurement in 2026: The Fundamentals that Actually Matter](https://thedca.co/insights/roast/marketing-measurement-in-2026-the-fundamentals-that-actually-matter): by ROAST
- [Why Media Deserves the Same Swagger as Creative](https://thedca.co/insights/roast/why-media-deserves-the-same-swagger-as-creative): by ROAST
- [First of its kind ‘ChatGPT App Tracker’](https://thedca.co/insights/roast/first-of-its-kind-chatgpt-app-tracker): by ROAST
- [Organic Discoverability Framework: Connecting SEO, GEO, Content & Digital PR](https://thedca.co/insights/roast/organic-discoverability-framework-connecting-seo-geo-content-digital-pr): by ROAST
- [From SEO to GEO: Winning in the age of AI search](https://thedca.co/insights/roast/from-seo-to-geo-winning-in-the-age-of-ai-search): by ROAST
- [Substack for Your 2026 Content Strategy](https://thedca.co/insights/roast/substack-for-your-2026-content-strategy): by ROAST
- [Ladyship: How two agency founders built a global consultancy on candour and craft](https://thedca.co/insights/ladyship/ladyship-how-two-agency-founders-built-a-global-consultancy-on-candour-and-craft): by Because you don’t need another Yes Man.
- [How a 42-year-old Scottish agency is betting on what lasts, not what’s new](https://thedca.co/insights/leith/how-a-42-year-old-scottish-agency-is-betting-on-what-lasts-not-whats-new): by Leith
- ["Entertainment is the Trojan horse": How The Gold Studios is breaking through ad blockers](https://thedca.co/insights/the-gold-studios/entertainment-is-the-trojan-horse-how-the-gold-studios-is-breaking-through-ad-blockers): by The Gold Studios
- ["We help clients do the really hard things": How Spark transforms global marketing challenges](https://thedca.co/insights/spark/we-help-clients-do-the-really-hard-things-how-spark-transforms-global-marketing-challenges): by Spark
- [From optimisation to emotion: How RCP is bringing love back to advertising](https://thedca.co/insights/not-normal-group/from-optimisation-to-emotion-how-rcp-is-bringing-love-back-to-advertising): by RCP
- [Made by ON: The agency model built for the AI frontier](https://thedca.co/insights/made-by-on/made-by-on-the-agency-model-built-for-the-ai-frontier): by Made by ON
- [“If everything’s burning, come to us”: Inside House of Greenland's saviour agency model](https://thedca.co/insights/house-of-greenland/if-everythings-burning-come-to-us-inside-house-of-greenlands-saviour-agency-model): by House of Greenland
- [We're going to need a bigger brief](https://thedca.co/insights/five-by-five/were-going-to-need-a-bigger-brief): by Five by Five and TSA
- [Quiet Storm: Three decades of 'storm-starting' creativity](https://thedca.co/insights/quiet-storm/quiet-storm-three-decades-of-storm-starting-creativity): by Quiet Storm
- [From VP to agency founder: How Gung Ho built a 20 year legacy on cultural authenticity](https://thedca.co/insights/gung-ho/from-vp-to-agency-founder-how-gung-ho-built-a-20-year-legacy-on-cultural-authenticity): by GUNG HO
- [If AI is the engine, clarity is the steering wheel](https://thedca.co/insights/bigsmall/if-ai-is-the-engine-clarity-is-the-steering-wheel): by BigSmall
- [The 65+ Opportunity: A Smarter Approach to Media and Targeting](https://thedca.co/insights/harvest-digital/the-65-opportunity-a-smarter-approach-to-media-and-targeting): by Harvest Digital
- [“We’re not here to maintain the status quo”: Inside Full Tilt’s fight for meaningful work](https://thedca.co/insights/full-tilt/were-not-here-to-maintain-the-status-quo-inside-full-tilts-fight-for-meaningful-work): by Full Tilt
- ["Performance is in our DNA": How ROAST built a decade of client trust through data-driven marketing](https://thedca.co/insights/roast/performance-is-in-our-dna-how-roast-built-a-decade-of-client-trust-through-data-driven-marketing): by ROAST
- [Urban Anatomy: When street fixtures become life saving reminders](https://thedca.co/insights/joe-public/urban-anatomy-when-street-fixtures-become-life-saving-reminders): by Joe Public London
- [Defying the Average: AI and Creative Distinction](https://thedca.co/insights/house-of-greenland/defying-the-average-ai-and-creative-distinction): by House of Greenland
- [Drowning in Omnichannel? Why Challenger Brands Don’t Need to Be Everywhere](https://thedca.co/insights/house-of-greenland/drowning-in-omnichannel-why-challenger-brands-dont-need-to-be-everywhere): by House of Greenland
- [Spectacle isn’t dead, but it’s not the path to growth](https://thedca.co/insights/house-of-greenland/spectacle-isnt-dead-but-its-not-the-path-to-growth): by House of Greenland
- [Why Beauty & Fashion Brands Can’t Play by the Same Rules as Consumers.](https://thedca.co/insights/house-of-greenland/why-beauty-fashion-brands-cant-play-by-the-same-rules-as-consumers): by House of Greenland
- ["If you can't find what you're looking for, build it": Manifest's Mission to Reshape Culture](https://thedca.co/insights/manifest/if-you-cant-find-what-youre-looking-for-build-it-manifests-mission-to-reshape-culture): by Manifest
- [A case for brand reinvention - and how to get it right](https://thedca.co/insights/boldspace/a-case-for-brand-reinvention---and-how-to-get-it-right): by Boldspace
- [Why retention is the growth strategy to watch](https://thedca.co/insights/boldspace/why-retention-is-the-growth-strategy-to-watch): by Boldspace
- [“Quality over profit is non-negotiable”: How You’re the Goods is rewriting the agency model](https://thedca.co/insights/you-re-the-goods/quality-over-profit-is-non-negotiable-how-youre-the-goods-is-rewriting-the-agency-model-rukjc): by You're the Goods
- [From the people, for the people: Joe Public brings its ‘man on the street’ ethos to London](https://thedca.co/insights/joe-public/from-the-people-for-the-people-joe-public-brings-its-man-on-the-street-ethos-to-london): by Joe Public London
- [From direct mail to data-driven CRM: How Flourish is redefining customer journeys](https://thedca.co/insights/flourish/from-direct-mail-to-data-driven-crm-how-flourish-is-redefining-customer-journeys): by Flourish CRM
- [The human connection: How SEEN Connects is redefining cultural relevance](https://thedca.co/insights/seen-connects/the-human-connection-how-seen-connects-is-redefining-cultural-relevance-zeeen): by SEEN Connects
- ["Only the distinct will survive": How Studio Everywhere is redefining the agency model](https://thedca.co/insights/studio-everywhere/only-the-distinct-will-survive-how-studio-everywhere-is-redefining-the-agency-model-4fs51): by Studio Everywhere
- ["Set out without fear": How Uncharted is redefining agency partnerships in uncertain times](https://thedca.co/insights/uncharted/set-out-without-fear-how-uncharted-is-redefining-agency-partnerships-in-uncertain-times-q11ok): by Uncharted
- [Independent network Worldwide Partners believes that collaboration, not consolidation, fuels ambition.](https://thedca.co/insights/worldwide-partners/independent-network-worldwide-partners-believes-that-collaboration-not-consolidation-fuels-ambition): by Worldwide Partners, Inc (WPI)
- ["Authenticity is our currency": How Augmentum is redefining influencer marketing](https://thedca.co/insights/augmentum/authenticity-is-our-currency-how-augmentum-is-redefining-influencer-marketing): by Augmentum Media
- [From Google's lab to global product marketing powerhouse: The Toaster story](https://thedca.co/insights/toaster/from-googles-lab-to-global-product-marketing-powerhouse-the-toaster-story): by Toaster
- [People over pixels: How Favola is on a mission to make authentic, creator-centric content](https://thedca.co/insights/favola/people-over-pixels-how-favola-is-on-a-mission-to-make-authentic-creator-centric-content): by Favola
- ["The best ideas can come from anywhere": How Alfred's earned media approach is reshaping creative strategy](https://thedca.co/insights/alfred-london/the-best-ideas-can-come-from-anywhere-how-alfreds-earned-media-approach-is-reshaping-creative-strategy): by Alfred
- [“The brand icons of today need to be built differently to those of the past”: A look into Beyond's entrepreneurial approach to setting brands free.](https://thedca.co/insights/above-beyond-sv44z/the-brand-icons-of-today-need-to-be-built-differently-to-those-of-the-past-a-look-into-beyonds-entrepreneurial-approach-to-setting-brands-free): by Beyond
- ["We don’t believe in the grand reveal": How We Are All Marketing's transparent approach is redefining agency relationships](https://thedca.co/insights/we-are-all-marketing/we-dont-believe-in-the-grand-reveal-how-we-are-all-marketings-transparent-approach-is-redefining-agency-relationships): by We Are All Marketing
- ["We're not a one night stand agency. We settle down, meet the parents": How BIRD is changing up client relationships](https://thedca.co/insights/bird/were-not-a-one-night-stand-agency-we-settle-down-meet-the-parents-how-bird-is-changing-up-client-relationships): by BIRD
- [Prioritising real connections: How onepointfive Agency is reshaping brand experiences](https://thedca.co/insights/onepointfive/prioritising-real-connections-how-onepointfive-agency-is-reshaping-brand-experiences): by onepointfive
- [“Beyond the Brief”: How Communion partners for Purposeful Transformation](https://thedca.co/insights/communion/beyond-the-brief-how-communion-partners-for-purposeful-transformation): by COMMUNION
- [‘Get to the point. Go big with it.’ - How BigSmall is redefining brand strategy with radical simplicity](https://thedca.co/insights/bigsmall/get-to-the-point-go-big-with-it---how-bigsmall-is-redefining-brand-strategy-with-radical-simplicity): by BigSmall
- ["Let’s do it Ourselves”: How two creatives flipped the agency model](https://thedca.co/insights/ourselves/lets-do-it-ourselves-how-two-creatives-flipped-the-agency-model): by Ourselves
- [Creativity with feeling: How HighSpirit is bringing soul back to brand building](https://thedca.co/insights/highspirit/creativity-with-feeling-how-highspirit-is-bringing-soul-back-to-brand-building): by HighSpirit
- [The Swiss army knife of strategy: How Untangld is cutting through marketing complexity](https://thedca.co/insights/untangld/the-swiss-army-knife-of-strategy-how-untangld-is-cutting-through-marketing-complexity): by Untangld
- [Imagination: Where creative ambition meets flawless delivery](https://thedca.co/insights/imagination/imagination-where-creative-ambition-meets-flawless-delivery): by Imagination
- [Build, Push, Care: Why Wonderhood Studios Believes Creativity is the Last Competitive Edge](https://thedca.co/insights/wonderhood-studios/build-push-care-why-wonderhood-studios-believes-creativity-is-the-last-competitive-edge): by Wonderhood Studios
- [Boldspace: Finding the ‘bold space’ where creativity and data converge](https://thedca.co/insights/boldspace/boldspace-finding-the-bold-space-where-creativity-and-data-converge): by Boldspace
- [The Ripple Effect: Communications with Conscience®](https://thedca.co/insights/the-ripple-effect/the-ripple-effect-communications-with-conscience-r): by The Ripple Effect
- [Born different: How December19 is redefining media agency transparency](https://thedca.co/insights/december19/born-different-how-december19-is-redefining-media-agency-transparency): by December19
- [Digital Natives: Social-first creativity with strategic depth](https://thedca.co/insights/digital-natives/digital-natives-social-first-creativity-with-strategic-depth): by Digital Natives
- [Just So: Where human stories drive authentic connections](https://thedca.co/insights/just-so/just-so-where-human-stories-drive-authentic-connections): by JustSo
- [How …Gasp! is putting marketing back in the boardroom](https://thedca.co/insights/gasp/how-gasp-is-putting-marketing-back-in-the-boardroom): by ...Gasp!
- [Production without the hidden costs: The Blue t’s mission for transparency and impact](https://thedca.co/insights/the-blue-t/production-without-the-hidden-costs-the-blue-ts-mission-for-transparency-and-impact): by The Blue t
- [How Department of Creativity champions human truth in an industry obsessed with profit](https://thedca.co/insights/d-o-c/how-department-of-creativity-champions-human-truth-in-an-industry-obsessed-with-profit): by Department of Creativity (D.O.C)
- ["For a world where no one is normal": How Weirdo champions authenticity in an AI-driven industry](https://thedca.co/insights/weirdo/for-a-world-where-no-one-is-normal-how-weirdo-champions-authenticity-in-an-ai-driven-industry): by Weirdo
- [Fearless Union: Network-caliber talent with entrepreneurial agility](https://thedca.co/insights/fearless-union/fearless-union-network-caliber-talent-with-entrepreneurial-agility): by Fearless Union
- [The Or: Made to Order](https://thedca.co/insights/the-or/the-or-made-to-order): by The Or
- [The Orange Panther Collective: Network expertise with indie agility](https://thedca.co/insights/thirty6/the-orange-panther-collective-network-expertise-with-indie-agility): by thirty6
- [Inside Hijinks: Where positivity powers creative success](https://thedca.co/insights/hijinks/inside-hijinks-where-positivity-powers-creative-success): by Hijinks
- [Inside Defiant's strategy-first approach to brand fame](https://thedca.co/insights/defiant/inside-defiants-strategy-first-approach-to-brand-fame): by Defiant
- [Why marketers need to rethink their approach to midlife women](https://thedca.co/insights/southpaw/midlife-revolution-exploring-the-untapped-advertising-potential-of-a-misrepresented-audience): by Southpaw
- [Who Wot Why: Where questions drive creative excellence](https://thedca.co/insights/who-wot-why/who-wot-why-where-questions-drive-creative-excellence): by Who Wot Why
- [Trust, accountability and purpose: The Kite Factory's winning formula](https://thedca.co/insights/the-kite-factory/ceo-james-smith-on-how-a-culture-of-accountability-and-effectiveness-are-the-kite-factorys-superpowers): by The Kite Factory
- [How eight&four delivers content and AI innovation at enterprise scale](https://thedca.co/insights/eight-four/how-eight-four-delivers-content-and-ai-innovation-at-enterprise-scale): by eight&four
- [How Southpaw grew from scrappy start-up to strategic powerhouse](https://thedca.co/insights/southpaw/how-southpaw-grew-from-scrappy-start-up-to-strategic-powerhouse): by Southpaw
- [Platform-first: Inside STK's content approach](https://thedca.co/insights/stk/platform-first-inside-stks-content-approach): by Shoot to Kill Studio
- [Inside JOAN London's quest to build modern legends](https://thedca.co/insights/joan/inside-joan-londons-quest-to-build-modern-legends): by JOAN
- [The evolving role of creativity](https://thedca.co/insights/defiant/the-evolving-role-of-creativity): by Defiant