Cutwater Cutwater is an independent creative and media agency that builds distinctive brands.

We are an independently owned full-service advertising agency based in San Francisco, California and we help brands find their cutwater — the sharpest visual and verbal articulation of the brand’s ideal. Our strategic and creative process is one where our multi-disciplinary teams of experts collaborate to hone in on what your brand can really stand for; it’s point of view on the world. We translat

e the brands cutwater across media and through technology; turning brands into channels and consumers into fans. We’ve done this for some of the most iconic brands in the world like Adidas, Jeep, Ray Ban, LensCrafters and newer brands like SunRun (http://www.sunrun.com/ ) , Ariat (http://www.ariat.com/ ) and Strava (http://www.strava.com/ ).

The San Francisco ad community is alive and well! 👏🏽 So great seeing everyone who joined us last night for MentorMeet wi...
05/20/2026

The San Francisco ad community is alive and well! 👏🏽 So great seeing everyone who joined us last night for MentorMeet with

Good work doesn’t happen by accident.Our founder, Chuck McBride, sat down with Edward Cotton on the Inspiring Futures po...
04/16/2026

Good work doesn’t happen by accident.

Our founder, Chuck McBride, sat down with Edward Cotton on the Inspiring Futures podcast to talk about what actually makes great work. Taking risks, trusting your instincts, and building brands people give a damn about.

From iconic work for Levi’s to starting Cutwater, it’s a conversation about staying curious and pushing for ideas that connect.

“Wear them out with good work.”

Give it a listen at the link in comments 👇

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100 years.Millions of pets. 🐶 🐱 Endless Unconditional Love. 🐾Happy 100, Hartz. We’re just getting started.Read more:
04/07/2026

100 years.
Millions of pets. 🐶 🐱
Endless Unconditional Love. 🐾
Happy 100, Hartz. We’re just getting started.

Read more:

The pet-care brand has unveiled a centennial logo asset and a lineup of initiatives across digital channels as well as in-person events.

Big news from the Cutwater crew!Our founder and CCO, Chuck McBride, has been named to Little Black Book’s Super Bowl LX ...
01/21/2026

Big news from the Cutwater crew!

Our founder and CCO, Chuck McBride, has been named to Little Black Book’s Super Bowl LX Jury, joining top brand, creative, and production leaders to judge this year’s Super Bowl advertising.

Proud to see Cutwater represented in one of the industry’s biggest creative moments.

Pet parenting isn’t always glamorous, and that’s okay. 😌🐶Our latest campaign with Hartz Comfitables takes on the stigma ...
01/20/2026

Pet parenting isn’t always glamorous, and that’s okay. 😌🐶

Our latest campaign with Hartz Comfitables takes on the stigma around dog diapers and wraps with humor, heart, and social-first storytelling that gives dogs a voice and pet parents a little relief.

Proud of this work and the conversations it’s already starting.
📰 Read more:

Little Black Book, Developed with Cutwater, the campaign and packaging make incontinence products approachable, practical, and fun for millennial and gen z pet owners

NFW! Thanks Ad Age and Tim Nudd for sharing our “You’ll Swear by Them" campaign for Sweet Loren's. 🍪
12/01/2025

NFW! Thanks Ad Age and Tim Nudd for sharing our “You’ll Swear by Them" campaign for Sweet Loren's. 🍪

Gopuff calls for the Monday after the Super Bowl to be a holiday, and Meals on Wheels turns “Silent Night” into an anthem for seniors.

Meet the campaign that is giving Big Coffee a run for their beans - and a taste of true quality. ☕💥 We are excited to sh...
11/19/2025

Meet the campaign that is giving Big Coffee a run for their beans - and a taste of true quality. ☕💥 We are excited to share our new animated world for San Francisco Bay Coffee, where farmer friendly values, fair sourcing, and great taste come together in one flavorful story.
Read all about it:

Cutwater's creative positions the brand as the alternative to Big Coffee.

11/06/2025

We are proud to serve our latest campaign for Sweet Loren's - America’s #1 natural refrigerated dough brand. The “You’ll Swear By Them” campaign helps bring awareness to Sweet Loren’s variety of refrigerated doughs and shows how healthier baking can be easier, more enjoyable and more delicious with Sweet Loren's.

Try them. You’ll swear by them. 🍪

Last week, our President, Christian Hughes, and Head of Media, Lizzy Ryan, were in Orlando for  .They came back buzzing ...
10/31/2025

Last week, our President, Christian Hughes, and Head of Media, Lizzy Ryan, were in Orlando for .

They came back buzzing with insights and one big theme: The future belongs to brands that blend clarity, creativity, and connection.

Swipe → to see the 5 takeaways we’re already putting into motion.

Leading a creative agency takes more than vision. It takes vulnerability, empathy, and a deep commitment to the craft.In...
07/22/2025

Leading a creative agency takes more than vision. It takes vulnerability, empathy, and a deep commitment to the craft.

In this thoughtful feature from LBB’s "Bossing It" series, our founder and CCO Chuck McBride shares his evolution as a leader, from working under legendary mentors to building Cutwater’s creative culture from the ground up.

Get the full story here →

Little Black Book, The Cutwater founder on his mentors’ masterclass in leadership and creative problem solving – and why advertising is “a little like triage” as part of LBB’s Bossing It series

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