"Clients look for marketing service firms that can solve their problems. What they call themselves is irrelevant," says AgencyFinder's Chuck Meyst
RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 22, 2012 — An annual review of website traffic and search criteria submitted to leading online search and selection consultant AgencyFinder.com by registered advertisers shows that clients are more open to solutions from non-traditional marketing service providers than ever before. "If you look at the hundreds of search inquiries we've processed over the last 18 months, you see more and more clients willing to meet with the entire spectrum of marketing service firms — from integrated marketing firms to shops specializing in digital, social, experiential and other mediums," explains AgencyFinder's Chairman and CEO, Chuck Meyst.
"Over the years, 'ad agency' and 'advertising agency' have morphed to become marcom, integrated marketing communications, digital, interactive, experiential, shopper, crowd-sourcing, social media and more, all contributed by well-intended individuals seeking differentiation," Meyst continued. "But clients (advertisers) regard those distinctions as services. Clearly there's a difference between what giant corporations desire and what many small to mid-sized clients desire, but regardless of size, most suggest they'd like a marketing partner to provide whatever discipline is called for."
"Advertisers want marketing partners to solve their marketing issues but don't particularly care what a marketing firm calls itself. And that's been our experience after 15 years and more than 10,000 pairings."
Are we witnessing the demise of the term ad agency and the rise of marketing agency? According to AgencyFinder's Meyst, the answer is probably "Who cares?"
To cut through the clutter, Meyst advises clients to become intimately familiar with today's agency variants. Then both clients and agencies should seek to embrace powerful, proven business search services that match the needs of clients with the experience and services offered by agencies, using proprietary search engines and experienced hands-on staff consultants.
At AgencyFinder, clients search first by vertical market experience, then offered services, end-user demographics, location, size and more. Who gets invited to pitch depends heavily on each agency's profile, website and case histories. The ultimate award decision is influenced by relevant samples, agency site visits, chemistry checks and client-site final presentations.
AgencyFinder website traffic, analytics, inquiries and registrations during January and early February 2012 confirm this is again a time of research by clients looking to hire a new partner. Meyst suggests now is a particularly good time to hire an agency, since they, like clients, are ready to attack the remainder of 2012. Meyst suggests marketing firms develop an effective "elevator pitch" to explain their specializations to prospects face-to-face, but avoid generalizations or the use of unfamiliar terminology.
About AgencyFinder
Founded in 1997, AgencyFinder's agency search and matchmaking service is offered at no cost to advertisers and their marketing staff. The service is funded through subscription fees paid by voluntarily registered agencies seeking to be found and hired.
Contact:
Charles Meyst – Chairman & CEO
AgencyFinder http://www.agencyfinder.com
(804) 346-1812 or 1-877-XFINDER
Email: Email
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