Barbarian
New York, New York
Barbarian is a New York-based experiential agency specializing in digital product & ux, with clients including Samsung, smartwater and Wildlife Conservation Society.
Now backed by Cheil Worldwide, Barbarian works with brands like Samsung and smartwater on launches, activations, and customer-experience platforms.
About Barbarian
Founded in 2001 by Benjamin Palmer, Keith Butters and Rick Webb, Barbarian is an experiential agency with offices in New York and Hyderabad. Its work also spans Digital Product & UX. Past clients include Samsung, smartwater, Wildlife Conservation Society and Burger King.
Barbarian helped write the playbook for viral digital advertising — the 2004 Subservient Chicken site it built for Burger King (with CP+B) is still taught as a landmark of interactive marketing. Two decades on, the New York shop has evolved into a creative-and-innovation agency, pairing brand storytelling with the technical chops to ship real digital products and experiences.
Now backed by Cheil Worldwide, Barbarian works with brands like Samsung and smartwater on launches, activations, and customer-experience platforms. Best fit for marketers who want campaign-level ideas and the engineering to make them interactive — less so for a simple brochure site.
Specialties
At a glance
- Founded2001
- LocationsNew York, Hyderabad
- FoundersBenjamin Palmer, Keith Butters, Rick Webb
- Websitewearebarbarian.com
Best for
Barbarian is a good fit if you need:
- Events, activations, or experiential work
- A website, app, or digital product
Notable clients
Careers & open roles
Barbarian is currently hiring. See current openings on its careers page.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Barbarian located?
Barbarian is based in New York, Hyderabad.
What does Barbarian specialize in?
Barbarian focuses on Experiential and Digital Product & UX.
What brands has Barbarian worked with?
Barbarian's clients have included Samsung, smartwater, Wildlife Conservation Society and Burger King.
When was Barbarian founded?
Barbarian was founded in 2001 by Benjamin Palmer, Keith Butters and Rick Webb.
Is Barbarian hiring?
Yes, Barbarian has open roles listed on its careers page.
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Profile last reviewed August 2026
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