Is bigger always better? Why size doesn't matter when it comes to agencies

Image credit: Robin Benzrihem on Unsplash.

Yes, in certain instances size does matter. Like Tweets, font, asteroids, golf clubs, slices of cake and shoes.

When it comes to choosing agencies, there has long been an argument about who better serves big brands. Whether it’s big, traditional agencies or small, boutique set-ups – both have their advantages.

Don't discount the small agency for your big data needs

Stephanie Walters  1 Feb 2018

In recent years, a host of boutique brand storytelling, digital and experiential marketing agencies have come out on top. Their ability to offer refreshing, unique and unencumbered client experiences are helping them land some big fish.

It is often the top creative talent and visionaries who birth small agencies after a successful career at a big agency. Their knowledge of how big agencies pitch and work gives them an undeniable edge, but they mostly distinguish themselves through their ‘otherness’.

What does the shuffling of the big guys mean for smaller agencies?

Andrew Macfarlane  20 Jul 2018

I think there’s space for both.

The reasons bigger brands are choosing small agencies are as diverse as the wide-ranging needs of each brand. They could want a different creative direction, have a limited budget or need a change in relationship.

#BehindtheSelfie with... Yaw Dwomoh

Leigh Andrews  29 May 2019

I’ve narrowed it down to five main reasons:

Changes, pronto!

Small agencies can be more agile, so they make changes faster. Of course, I’m not talking about a complete 180° deviation on the concept.

Sometimes business owners and CMOs change their mind halfway through a campaign and expect the agency to make changes without costing for a completely new concept.

When there are changes to tweak a concept or update a campaign with new market information, smaller agencies don’t have to jump through as many hoops.

Another benefit is that the person on the other end of the line (or email) is most likely the one who will execute your changes which makes for a faster approach.

More bang for your marketing buck

I’m not talking about cheap. Smaller agencies are not necessarily cheap. But their costing is, at times, more transparent and straightforward and they don’t have to carry the extra cost of massive building leases, staff contingent, utilities, departments that have nothing to do with your project.

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Closed Sundays/Size Isn’t Everything We’re comfortable with being a small, focused agency. We believe our global clients are too. They don’t suffer for our size: in fact they benefit from our ability to remain truly flexible to their needs from design through to delivery. | Design | Development | Artwork | Manufacture (UK and China) | Logistics | Installation | Surveys | - - - #closedsundays #closedsundaysretail #attentiontoretail #sizeisnteverything #smallagency #designagency #retaildesignagency #nobullshiit #wearewhoweare #design #manufacture #unitedkingdom #china

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Two heads (or 30) are not always better than one

Studies into the inverse correlation between the size of a team and its productivity have shown that sometimes less is more. Bigger teams mean more places to hide and more procedures to follow to get sign-off.

The value of specialist services in your marketing mix

Danilo Acquisto  3 Apr 2019

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos famously said if a team can’t be fed by two pizzas, the team’s too big. The same goes for meetings which can be huge time-wasters in big agencies.

There is no B team

If your project is not one of the highest-paying, big agencies may assign it to the ‘B team’.

With a small agency, there is no backup. You get the same quality as any other high-paying client.

Less red tape, more relationship

I’ve already referenced the tricky and elaborate costing modules of big agencies. For changes to be made, discounts to given or for quick jobs, you need an agency that can jump to attention.

The final frontier of the independent agency

Danette Breitenbach  14 Aug 2017

With brands hurtling towards a digital future where they compete with not only local but thousands of global companies, using a smaller local agency with a proven track record may be exactly what you need to stand out in an analogous advertising crowd.

After all, if you’re hunting for market share, you’re better off with a lion than an elephant.