# When Agencies Break Rules

> Elite Media's founder shows how breaking industry rules can pay off.
- Title: When Agencies Break Rules · Adweek | Shortify
- Summary: Elite Media's founder shows how breaking industry rules can pay off. Elite Media's founder Chris Crawford built a successful agency by ignoring Madison…
- Keywords: elite media, chris crawford, harlem, adweek, agency, ethics, community, Agencies, Break, Rules
- Source: Adweek — https://adweek.com/agencies/when-it-pays-for-an-agency-to-break-the-rules
- Author: Seth Simons
- Published: 2026-10-14T15:33:07+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: elite media, chris crawford, harlem, adweek, agency, ethics, community
## Breaking industry rules
Elite Media's founder Chris Crawford ignored Madison Avenue norms to build his agency in Harlem.

> If you have a small agency, there’s no way you can super-service a partner if you’re constantly thinking about all of the other people you can connect to
## Early success with Stomp the Yard
Crawford sold Stomp the Yard to Sony after creating a WWE-level college step competition platform.

> We had something they could invest in that could drive their business, but we had to create that vehicle
## Community focus
Elite Media helps Harlem schools with educator self-care grants after burnout concerns.

> For the first time, they didn’t lose the educators they were losing each year
## Ethical business model
Crawford refuses work with tobacco, alcohol, gambling, or predatory lending companies.

> You’d be surprised that when you say a hard no, it can refine everything in your life as to what truly is a yes
## Key takeaway

Elite Media's founder Chris Crawford built a successful agency by ignoring Madison Avenue norms and focusing on community impact.