Do you sometimes feel like your agency collaboration is lacking in collaboration?
It’s not just you. Marketers and agency collaborations offer so much possibility for inspiration, ideas, and creative energy. But there are also age-old, industry-wide problems that can turn a positive and important relationship into one that’s fraught with competing priorities, miscommunication and frustration that can undermine the creative process.
Marketers have been sharing their common pain points,* and it’s an eye-opening list, to be sure. It got us thinking: What would be the reason a marketer would NOT want to work with us?
1. Because I hate when people bring me new ideas.
If you like having to chase, hector and harangue your agency when you need help or a proactive idea, then we may not be the agency for you. But if you’re one of the 45% of marketers who are frustrated with their agency partners’ lack of proactivity, then we might be the partner you are looking for.
You don’t have to take our word for it (but you can). We are proud of our current NPS rating of 70 (as of 1Q2024). “What is the average rating for an agency?” you might ask. It’s 0. And a 70 puts us on par with brands like the Ritz Carlton.
We’re proud of the collaboration, trust and respect that we build as a part of our client relationships. They create the right environment for honest conversations and daring ideas that will change your business.
2. I don’t need all this smart strategy! Let’s keep doing what we’ve always done!
The old saying is that “If it isn’t broken, then don’t fix it.” While that can sometimes be true, it really depends on what you mean by “broken.” You can still technically drive a car with a flat tire, and it may even get you where you want to go eventually. But that doesn’t make it a good idea.
Over 40% of marketers report that they are unhappy with the strategic thinking of their agencies’ partners.
With the world changing as quickly as it is, strategy is more important than ever. From the drastically different behavior of Gen Z and Gen Alpha to the rise of AI, major forces are shaping the landscape around your brand. Strategy is a way to navigate the changing world and to mitigate the risk while maximizing the opportunity for reward. It doesn’t have to be exhaustive, expensive or time consuming. It just needs to be smart.
So if you’re tired of people telling you to just keep driving when you can feel the bumps in the road getting worse, we may be the strategic partner you’re looking for.
3. I like it when people look at our marketing and say “Meh.”
Brands do better when they stand out. That’s not always easy to do — but it’s always a necessity if you want your business to grow.
Everyone feels it. 90% of marketers report this as one of their biggest struggles. According to System 1 Research, dull, average marketing and advertising comprises 83% of all marketing, creating little to no business impact. Only 17% of marketing inspires customers into action.
Don’t you want your brand to be in the 17%?
To get there, you need to have a creative partner who can deliver work that is brave, inspiring and stands out. Using our principles of Honest Creativity, we have a process that can be tailored to the creative challenge of your business and create work that gets attention. It seems like fortune favors brave brands. So if you’re looking to take chances, stand out and do something different, now is the time.
4. Why should agencies understand my business anyway?
It’s a classic tale of ships passing in the night: 41% of brands say that agencies just don’t grasp the nuances and priorities of their business, while a staggering 64% of agencies wish brands would just loosen up a bit and trust in their creative ideas. It’s like being in a dance where one partner is ready to tango and the other thinks it’s a square dance. The result? Stepped-on toes and no one has fun at the dance.
53% of brands prioritize a business-first approach, focusing on strategies that impact the bottom line, whereas 28% of agencies champion the power of big, bold ideas, believing that creativity is the key to unlocking marketing success. This clash of priorities can leave both parties feeling frustrated and misunderstood.
If you’re tired of trying to do ballroom at the hoedown, then we might be the partner for you. We align with you on a strategy that is built around your business goals, making sure every creative concept advances your brand’s objectives. We take the time to listen to you, understand your business and push the creative envelope in ways that are both exciting and effective. Because when creativity and business goals are aligned, the results can be truly transformative.
5: Who wants lots of “ideas” and “choices”? It’s best when my agency just tells me what to do.
Why bother with a menu of creative options when you could just have someone decide for you?
Well, because you are the steward of your brand, and when it comes to crafting impactful marketing, choice isn’t just about quantity — it’s about quality. 20% of marketers switch agencies due to a lack of creative solutions. They’re not just looking for more ideas; they’re searching for the right ideas that make a difference.
We believe that the best solutions emerge from a mix of daring and deliberation. It’s about delivering thoughtfully developed ideas that are bold enough to break through the noise and brave enough to push boundaries. We’re here not to dictate, but to collaborate, ensuring that the ideas we propose are both plentiful and powerful. Because in the end, it’s the brave ideas that create the best opportunities for business success.
Speaking of being proactive! We couldn’t help adding a sixth reason to our list of five.
6. Budget, shmudget. Who doesn’t love spending money?
It’s thrilling, isn’t it? Watching the numbers climb as your agency spends and project budgets balloon — except, it’s not. It’s frustrating, and because of finite resources, it leaves you having to make choices about what you can still accomplish toward your goals.
You are not alone. 20% of marketers change agencies due to frustrations over poor budget management. And the truth is that big budgets don’t always lead to big results. Great and agile creative can be done to fit any budget, and you need a resourceful partner who can deliver the business results and exciting creative at a scale that makes sense.
We treat your budget as if it were our own — not in the way of limiting creativity, but in maximizing your investment. Our approach is about spending smart, not just spending more. So, if you’re tired of budget blowouts and a one-size-fits-all mindset, with the multiple frustrations that ensue from that, we may just be the agile team you’re looking for.
So there you have it. All the reasons NOT to work with us … and at the same time all the reasons in the world to give us a call.
We are a team of seasoned creative powerhouses with a proven track record of helping brands be ever braver. We know how important collaboration is. It’s one of the things we enjoy the most about our work, and it can be seen in the results. If you’re looking to make a change, stand out and bring your brand to life in an exciting new way, that’s exactly the reason TO work with Truth Collective.
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*You can find all of the facts and figures we referenced from these insightful resources:
AdWeek Future of Brand Marketing Report
RSW Agency Outlook 2024
System 1 Research
