Targeting First-time CMOs for Ad Agency New Business

Here are five brands that have added their first CMO. As any agency business development executive knows, it’s crucial to track decision-maker shifts in order to beat competitors to the pitch. First-time CMOs are one of the top new business triggers for agency changes, media shifts, and new marketing technology investments, as new hires tend […]

Ad Agency Network: The Brand Establishment

Russ Cornelius The Brand Establishment

Guest article written by Russ Cornelius, Managing partner of The Brand Establishment, an association of agencies whose owners are Certified Brand Strategists. I find it interesting that many agencies still consider brand development as developing a “wow” logo and ensuring that all marketing pieces have consistent messaging and look as if they are from the […]

Study: The Top Reasons CMOs Hire Ad Agencies

drew mclellan ad agency new business

This data will help you think through how you want to position yourself with prospects and what kinds of clients are the best fit for your agency model. This is a guest post written by Drew McLellan. He’s a friend of mine who heads up the Agency Management Institute (AMI), an association of small to medium […]

Do Brands Benefit Using a Multiple Ad Agency Model?

benefits of multi ad agency partners

Full service advertising agencies are filled with talented people but often lack specialists that have a much narrower focus of expertise. Consumers, brand marketers and marketing channels have changed and so has the traditional advertising agency. Smaller agencies often possess specialties and a nimbleness that allows them to adapt quickly to a rapidly changing marketing landscape. […]

Ad Agencies: Audience Development Comes Before Business Development

build an audience for ad agency new business

Building an engaged online community should now be a core responsibility of business development. Inspiration for this article came from Duct Tape Marketing’s founder, John Jantsch,  from his recent podcast interview with Jeffrey K. Rohrs, Vice President of Marketing Insights for ExactTarget,  Jeffrey is also the author of AUDIENCE: Marketing in the Age of Subscribers, Fans and Followers. […]

The Case for Independent Agency Networks

Gary Burandt Executive Director of ICOM Ad Agencies

In light of the POG merger announcement it seems appropriate to review the benefits of independent networks. This guest article was written by Gary Burandt, the executive director of of the International Communications Agency Network, Inc. (ICOM), a $3 billion USD network of 90 independent agencies in 70 countries. Gary is an Ad agency veteran and has worked around […]

Starting a new agency? Thoughts you should consider before turning the key in the door.

Lisa A. Colantuono agency new business

By: Lisa A. Colantuono, Co-Partner, AAR Partners, Co-Founder, Access Confidential. Lots of new business advice from AAR Partners has been given over coffee throughout the years regarding a myriad of topics. But one topic manages to pop up over and over when industry executives decide to create a “break-away” agency. The question is often asked, “What […]

An International Ad Agency Network for New Business

A custom-built international network available “on demand,” at a price every agency can afford. I recently had the privilege to conduct a Social Media | New Business workshop in London. The event was sponsored by thenetworkone, one of the largest network of independent advertising agencies in the world. There were 9 different countries represented at […]

Ad Agencies: Independence does not mean having to go it alone

Ad Agency networks offer many benefits for small to midsize independent advertising agencies.  This is a guest post written by my friend,  Peter Gerritsen, president of Transworld Advertising Agency Network better known as TAAN, the oldest and among the largest ad agency networks in the world, with 52 member agencies operating in 32 different countries. Not […]

A Global Network of Independent Advertising Agencies for New Business

Belonging to an international network, agencies have instant access to a tremendous knowledge base, expertise and access to global creative. This guest post is written by Cheri D. Gmiter, the executive director of Magnet Global Network.  She serves as the communications hub of this international network of independent advertising agencies. She has over 30 years of […]

Seven Cons About the New Social Media Platform Threads

It is necessary to understand the potential downside and limitations using Threads for new business. 

I recently wrote an article about the powerful benefits of Threads, taunted as the next-generation social media platform. While Threads brings a host of benefits to the table, it’s important to consider some potential drawbacks or challenges associated with the platform:

  1. Limited Reach and Exposure: As Threads focuses on specific topics and communities, it may limit the reach and exposure of users’ content.
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Threads: Unveiling the Powerful Benefits of the Next-Generation Social Media Platform

Exploring the myriad advantages of Threads, highlighting how it is reshaping the landscape of social media.

In an era where social media has become an integral part of our lives, new platforms are continually emerging, aiming to revolutionize the way we connect and communicate. Among these innovative platforms, Threads is rapidly emerging as a frontrunner, offering a unique and enriching experience for users.

Streamlined and Focused Communication:

Threads sets itself apart from traditional social media platforms by focusing on streamlined and efficient communication.… Continue reading

Ways That Artificial Intelligence Will Impact Ad Agency New Business

artificial intelligence for ad agency new business

Artificial intelligence can make business development easier and efficient.

AI offers a wide range of benefits across a variety of industries and applications. It has the potential to transform the way that businesses, leading to increased efficiency, accuracy, personalization, and innovation.

AI, is still a relatively new technology but it’s time that ad agencies carefully evaluate its potential benefits and drawbacks from a new business perspective.

Here are a few examples of the practical ways AI will enhance your agency’s business development:

  • Improved Lead generation: AI can analyze large amounts of data to identify potential new business leads more efficiently than traditional methods.
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Community Development Comes Before Business Development

Community Development Comes Before Business Development

 

Building an engaged online community should NOW be a core responsibility for business development.

The battle for new business is online which makes community development indispensable for marketing your agency. Knowing how to build an online community has become an important skill-set.

How to Build an Online Community of Prospects

1. Create a Niche

Since I started my consultancy in 2007, I’ve advocated creating a niche blog for agency new business. I’ve helped launch over 450 personal blogs for agency principals.… Continue reading

Most Ad Agencies Have No Plan for New Business

The Cobbler's Children for Ad Agency New Business

Having a written marketing plan makes new business easier and much more consistent.

I wanted to share, from my personal experience, one of the typical challenges of small to midsize advertising, digital, media and PR agencies. They are often described as the cobbler’s children who have no shoes.

The most common positive trait among these agencies is that they know how to take care of their clients. But what is their most common negative trait?

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The 8 Word Mission Statement for Ad Agency New Business

ad agency mission statement

Your agency’s mission statement can have new business value and measurable results.

A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company, organization or person, its reason for existing. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making. Wikipedia

The mission statement captures the heart of an organization, what it stands for and why it exists.

Here are some examples of the mission statements of popular digital businesses: 

  • Google.
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To be an effective writer, spend more time planning and less time writing

content marketing for ad agency new business

Successful writers spend 75% of their time in the preparation and editing process and only 25% of their time writing the content.

There are big rewards from content marketing, but it’s also a big challenge. Writing is a process that takes time and effort. Even the best writers have difficulty putting their ideas into words.

Most of us aren’t born with the gift for writing. We have to work at it. 

According to a study conducted by McLuhan and Davies, a Toronto based consulting firm specializing in communications training, effective writers spend:
  • 40% of their time planning
  • 25% of their time writing
  • 35% of their time revising

Less effective writers usually spend:

  • 20% planning
  • 60% writing
  • 20% revising

Here is an easy to follow formula that will help fuel your writing:

1.

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Blair Enns: 12 Revolutionary Proclamations for Ad Agency New Business

blair enns win without pitching ad agency new business

How to win new business without pitching, reclaim control of client engagements and stop giving away your thinking for free. 

My friend, John Sharpe,  has spent nearly forty years in the ad agency business and the last twenty in business development exclusively. He is a personal friend and mentor with an impressive resume. So when John tells me that he has just read one of the most influential business development books in his lifetime, he had my attention.… Continue reading

3 Things An Ad Agency New Business Director Needs for Success

ad agency new business training

How ad agencies acquire new business has changed dramatically and that effects the knowledge and skills new business directors need to make it happen.

People who have done this job in the past are struggling. The tenure of a new business director is now two years or less. In a recent survey conducted by RSW/US, only 26% of new business directors were considered successful.

A 4A’s report sited that 90% of agency staff say they have to figure things out on their own due to the lack of training.… Continue reading

Ad Agency New Business 101: Conduct a SWOT Analysis

SWOT Analysis for Ad agency New Business

A SWOT analysis is a good starting point for someone who is charged with creating new business opportunities for a small to midsize advertising agency, PR firm or digital shop.  

Part of Steve Jobs’ 12 Rules of Success: Perform SWOT analysis. As soon as you join/start a company, make a list of strengths and weaknesses of yourself and your company on a piece of paper.

This strategic planning method, when used properly, can be  a valuable tool for making decisions, setting strategy, and evaluating courses of action.… Continue reading