Agency Digs
Ad Age looks inside the newest, nicest and quirkiest lairs in adland
Small Agency Diary
Don't Get Too Caught Up in Your Agency's Future
Having tunnel vision on "what's next" poses some substantial risks for the present -- specifically, missed opportunities and stunted growth for your agency.
Poll: Should Marketers Stick With Local Ad Agencies?
The Phoenix Coyotes, looking to boost attendance, went with an out-of-town shop. Should local-market companies stick with local agencies?
Happy Birthday to You; Now Shut Up About It
Weathered the storm? Great. Celebrate internally, with employees and stockholders, instead of making it the basis for their next marketing campaign.
Domination, Intimidation -- and Winning Against the Big Boys
We're in a pitch against two much bigger, well-known agencies. I wish I could trash them and say that they don't deserve the business, but I admire them both and they've done some beautiful campaigns.
How Do You Keep Your Creative Edge?
I asked several people who have demonstrated innovation as a career trait what they think makes it possible. Here are some answers that I found most helpful.
Someone At Your Agency Needs to Stop for a Moment and Think
In the agency business, it is very easy to slip into the pattern of doing versus thinking. You get caught up in serving clients, pitching for new ones, managing the staff, putting out fires and solving today's problems.
Let's Make 'Brand' a Verb Again
"Brand" has been reduced to a set of graphic standards and a tagline. The force of action has been replaced with a static identity.
Check Out Reports, Video and More From the Small Agency Conference
We've been posting write-ups and video in this special section where you'll also be able to find profiles of all the Small Agency Award winners on Aug. 8.
Video: Small Agency Owners on Their Defining Moments
During Ad Age's second annual Small Agency Conference, some Small Agency Diary bloggers describe crucial moments for their agencies.
If the Client Was Always Right, It Wouldn't Need an Ad Agency
The customer is not always right. And neither is the client.
You Can't Have Jennifer Aniston, but You Can Have Good Content
A company promoting a trying-to-be-viral flop is like the guy who drops an inappropriate joke at a dinner party -- everyone walks away feeling bad.
What Facebook's Vending Machine Can Teach You About Brainstorming
If your employees were seen dragging a vending machine into the office tomorrow, how would you react?
Small Agencies Need Quality Control for Contract Workers
Many agencies maintain quality with hired guns. The problem is finding and maintaining relationships with quality people
If We Never Disagree, Fire Us
While it might sound counterintuitive, disagreement is what builds trust in a client-agency relationship.
Charge Less, Be More Successful
Did you ever stumble across a single sentence that totally focused your thinking, maybe even changed your mind?
Top Five Ad Industry Pet Peeves
One-offs and assuming consumers are dumb are on my list. What's on yours?
How Social Media Can Derail Your New-Business Efforts
Social media can actually work against your agency.
What Happens When You're No Longer a Small Agency?
Growth has been good to us. But it's not all sunshine and roses. Here are a few of the hard questions we're asking ourselves as we continue to grow.
Our New Approach to New-Business Development
Our old plan for new-business development works -- but it's costly and wildly time consuming and we need to do about 10 times more than we are currently doing if we are going to meet our own goals for growth.
Agency Pitches: Know When to Walk Away
Sometimes in business you have to rethink a decision. This past week was one such time.
