Small Agency Diary

10 Things to Do to Improve Service in 2012

10 Things to Do to Improve Service in 2012

Ten things to do in 2012 that will improve an agency's service to clients, including mastering social media, developing talent and cultivating partnerships.

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When We Do Our Job Right, We Do Much More Than Just Create Ads

When We Do Our Job Right, We Do Much More Than Just Create Ads

An ad agency's job isn't just to create ads but to provide advice and counsel. Achieving this level of of trust requires an honest relationship with clients.

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In the Rush to Digital, Leave Room for the Millions Who Still Like TV and Print

In the Rush to Digital, Leave Room for the Millions Who Still Like TV and Print

Ad dollars are moving from traditional media to digital, which makes sense. But a shift to all-digital could actually decrease brand awareness.

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Keys to a Better 2012: Learn Skills. Be Challenged. Stay Fresh.

Keys to a Better 2012: Learn Skills. Be Challenged. Stay Fresh.

All ad agencies face obstacles, and the successful ones manage to hammer bad luck into submission by broadening talents and staying fresh and ahead of trends

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A Great Motivator? There's Nothing Your Agency Has to Fear About Fear

A Great Motivator? There's Nothing Your Agency Has to Fear About Fear

Fear can be wielded as a positive tool in an advertising agency to motivate creative employees who thrive on new challenges and take pride in conquering them

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Push Clients Out of the Gate With Mobile, Before It's Too Late

Push Clients Out of the Gate With Mobile, Before It's Too Late

Advertising seems unthinkable without mobile, but many companies struggle to get started. A good way to begin is by updating an important existing campaign.

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Avoiding the Tired Old Solution While Keeping the Timid Client Happy

Avoiding the Tired Old Solution While Keeping the Timid Client Happy

An agency keeps it creative teams fresh by rotating team members, while leadership stays consistent, and including newer designers in brainstorming sessions.

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In Rough Times, Look Back and See How Far Your Agency Has Come

A year-end review of business in a languishing economy can show improvements in process and morale that leave an agency better positioned for the future

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Beware Coasting: It Can Sap an Agency's Lifeblood and Grind Momentum to a Halt

Beware Coasting: It Can Sap an Agency's Lifeblood and Grind Momentum to a Halt

An agency owner tempted to take a breather from the grinding workload must avoid this to maintain momentum, keeping irons in the fire and setting an example

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Penn State Had Plenty of Time, but It Didn't Have a Crisis Plan

Penn State officials had months to prepare for the communications crisis caused by child sex-abuse charges, but it had no emergency plan to control its message

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If We're Not So Vital to Clients Any More, It's Our Own Fault

Ad agencies are losing clout with clients because they resist leading the way into the new-media future, instead debating what the impact of technology will be

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Who's the Genius in Our Midst That We're Not Listening To?

Who's the Genius in Our Midst That We're Not Listening To?

Steve Jobs is celebrated as a genius for pushing boundaries and visionary thinking, but in our own shops we can be too defensive to let such colleagues flourish.

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Goodbye to Office Politics: When Workers Lead the Culture, Collaboration Follows

A team of 20 committees of employee volunteers has authority to shape the office culture at Carrot Creative, lowering frustration and encouraging collaboration

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Maybe It Sells, but What Values Is AT&T's Awful Ad Promoting?

An AT&T ad depicts a marriage where the relationship of husband and wife is defined by a consumer decision, conveying values to viewers that can't be defended

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An Idea Contest Engages the Whole Agency in Finding Better Ways to Collaborate

An Idea Contest Engages the Whole Agency in Finding Better Ways to Collaborate

An ideas contest is a way for management to engage the entire staff in brainstorming for the good of the agency. But the rules must be made very clear to all.

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Joining as a Manager, First Absorb an Agency's Unique Culture

When joining as a manager, listen and absorb the new agency's culture, rather than make dramatic moves. Social media help you meet co-workers before you start.

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If You Can Help Your Friend's Snack Truck With Some Creative Ideas, Why Not?

Marketers should offer some time to businesses and institutions in their community that could never afford an agency. It's a way to do good and stay sharp.

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Prospective Clients Need Our Help When Weighing an Agency's Potential to Innovate

Prospective Clients Need Our Help When Weighing an Agency's Potential to Innovate

RFPs often list "innovative" as a qualification, and agencies must guide companies to look beyond our past work and trust in our process and our people

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How Much Risk Are We and Our Agency Really Willing to Take?

How Much Risk Are We and Our Agency Really Willing to Take?

Ad agencies need to know a client's tolerance for risk, as well as their own limits. Setting boundaries allows teams to be creative and maintain mutual trust.

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With Big Firms Behind the Curve, Content Marketing Is a Wide Open Field

With Big Firms Behind the Curve, Content Marketing Is a Wide Open Field

Large, full-service ad agencies allowed smaller specialized firms to dominate in digital communications and social media, and it's happening again with content marketing, the next big trend in advertising. The field is open to smaller firms.

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