Keeping up with the big guys

The traditional agency model must evolve to survive. 

As ad budgets are scrutinized, bigger agencies are tasked with delivering more work than ever before. Keeping large teams of creatives employed while working within the constraints of tight budgets is proving unsustainable. While larger agencies are strained, smaller and more nimble teams of creatives are stepping up to the plate and delivering high-end content quicker and at a more impressive level of quality than bigger competitors. Though small agencies might lack the prestige of behemoth brand AORs, they make up for it in their ability to move, iterate and produce fresh creative content much faster. 

2021 will be the year of the small agency, and we’ll soon start seeing how well smaller teams compete with their larger competitors.

Navigating uncharted territory

The ongoing global pandemic has shaken up industries across the board, and advertising is not immune to these volatile times. As brands continue to navigate the uncharted territory of operating during a pandemic, many are taking a step back and evaluating the best allocation for ad budget to maximize their return on investment. With budgets in question and safeguarding economic futures top of mind, brands have increasing opportunities to deliver ad content across different platforms and reach more audiences than ever before. This heightened demand for high-end content combined with stricter budgetary oversight can present several challenges for larger agencies.

Large agencies boast impressive talent, portfolios of work, awards, and recognition, solidifying their appeal to brands who want to put all their eggs in one advertising partner basket. Traditionally, these agencies tap into massive pools of resources to deliver a range of services for clients, made possible by keeping extensive teams of skilled professionals on payroll. 

When internal teams get caught up in the success or failure of past campaigns, a small agency partner provides an objective, third-party point of view to present innovative new ideas and help produce the best creative possible.

While size is a benefit, it can also create bottlenecks and wasted time. Massive stratified teams slow campaign development, hinder communication among different departments, and stifle internal review processes, resulting in longer campaign delivery times for brands. Too many voices involved in the creative process can lead to sticky internal politics that negatively impact direction, innovation, and results. Additionally, higher payroll demands result in more expensive retainers, which has prompted some brands to explore transitioning to an in-house agency model to optimize ad budgets.

Above: Work from small agencies including Noble People, Via, and Erich & Kallman

Expanding efficiencies throughout the process

Even as brands ask for world-class campaigns, small agencies can be better strategic advertising partners in the current business climate. While you might not recognize their name and they might not boast decades of awards and prestige, a small agency might be the best partnership you’ll make in 2021.

Small agencies are so much more than just the scrappy underdog. While large agencies often require lengthier delivery windows and higher retainer fees, small agencies that position a tight-knit and skilled leadership team at the core are able to deliver high-end, high-quality content fast.

 At the end of the day, all large agencies started small.

Small teams that succeed operate with an independent agency mindset, where each team member is an experienced self-starter with a versatile skill set of expertise. When successfully executed, the small agency model focuses on expanding efficiencies throughout the creative process, rather than the more stratified collaboration model embraced by larger competitors. Boasting a tight-knit team provides the valued benefit of efficient and effective communication channels, enabling smaller agencies to cater to client demands with nimble agility and make changes on the fly. Brands also benefit from a more intimate, personalized, and flexible approach to client services.

The most successful small agencies are ready to hit go at a moment’s notice, no matter when opportunity or need arises.

A small agency partnership is even a valuable opportunity for brands that have opted to move advertising operations in-house. Whether hired as a consulting partner or to develop new creative, a small agency can be enlisted to provide the type of fresh, unbiased perspective required to help a brand innovate and succeed. When internal teams get caught up in the success or failure of past campaigns, a small agency partner provides an objective, third-party point of view to present innovative new ideas and help produce the best creative possible. Small agencies can also help fill in the gaps when workload demands are too extensive for in-house teams to manage within tight deadlines.