Agency Networks - FUEL LINES

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 single person in this business can truly say they do it all by themselves. We all work with many different resources, vendors, staff, clients, media, consultants, friends, mentors, advisors…and the list goes on.… Continue reading

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 agency and broadcast experience.

Advertising clients that once worked with one or two agencies to handle their marketing needs now may divide their work among 5 to 10 shops that specialize in media, design, digital, SEO and Social.… Continue reading

A Resource for International New Business for Ad Agencies

An agency network that is focused on helping independent agencies to pitch, win and manage international accounts, themselves.

I asked Julian Boulding, London England, to share information about an international agency network called thenetworkone, which he co-founded. This non-traditional network, provides a custom-built international network, that is available “on demand” for new business pitches and with existing clients at an affordable price.

Julian, a graduate of Cambridge University, began his career in media sales and direct marketing before switching to the agency business side.

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Small to mid-size ad agencies need to protect their own backyard

This guest post is written by Bret Giles, president of agencyside, which offers training and consulting to sell and implement digital marketing services. It’s all exclusively designed for small to mid-size advertising, marketing and PR agencies. One of the premier agency side events is BOLO 2011, October, 9-11, Scottsdale, AZ. A discount for Fuel Line readers is available by using the code MGass. I hope you’ll plan to join me there.

My backyard is afoul with these pesky rodents intent on ruining what I’ve spent so much energy planting. They just won’t go away; in fact, I fear they grow in number while their teeth become sharper and their devastation more obvious. They are invading my space and I’ve done little to prevent it.

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Is Advertising a Respected Profession?

A lack of respect is bad for ad agency new business. You might not be able to change the perception of our industry but you can control the perception of your agency.

Over the last decade, the advertising industry has become one of the least liked by Americans. In a recent Gallup Poll Advertising and Public Relations ranked 10th on a list of the least respected industries in the nation.

Author Tim Williams is an author and consultant, closely associated with the advertising industry.… Continue reading

The Future of Ad Agency Promotion at Events Through Social Media

Social media can enhance your special event experience and make networking for new business easier.

Without a doubt an industry trade show or conference has been a beneficial professional networking event for business opportunities. Social media has transformed these events and taken them to a new level.

“I think social media is changing the nature of interaction surrounding conventions,” said Steven Paganelli, vice president of business development-DMOs/CVBs for the Washington, D.C.-based, TIG Global. “Certainly, the opportunity to connect on a higher, more meaningful level face-to-face has always been at the heart of meetings and conventions, but social media tools and new technologies are making it easier for delegates to move beyond their comfort zone to meet new contacts, share ideas and engage in these events in deeper ways.”

In an American Express OPEN Forum article, Scott Belsky, Founder and CEO of Behance, shares insights from his 4-day experience at this year’s South By Southwest Interactive Conference.… Continue reading

MAGNET Global Network for Ad Agency New Business

MAGNET Global Network Winter Conference 2011

Ad agency networks provide a wide variety of benefits plus be a boost for new business opportunities.

The MAGNET advertising network collectively bill more than $2.7 billion dollars and the organization’s 39 members are located in major markets across the United States and around the world including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Ireland, London, Dubai, Moscow, Munich and Paris.

“It is so exciting to work and assist these talented independent advertising agencies achieve their goal. In a matter of 24 hours, I can connect an agency in London with an agency in California, to Boise, Idaho to Houston, TX for collaboration and work on a specific project.

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Large Ad Agencies Coming Out of the Recession in Good Shape for New Business

Small to midsize ad agencies should take note of how the big agencies have reconfigured themselves to take advantage of the changing advertising landscape and make some changes of their own.

If you thought the big advertising agencies like Omnicom, the WPP Group, Interpublic (IPG), and Publicis are going the way of the dinosaur, you would be sadly mistaken. The demise of the big agencies has been widely perceived but is far from reality.… Continue reading

The Top 14 List of Advertising Agency Networks for New Business

A network of advertising agencies can improve your agency’s new business through collaboration, strategic alliances and training.

Whenever I speak, I’m often asked to recommend an agency network. There were very few online sources that had collected this type information in one place, so I decided to compile my own list that I hope you find helpful. I’ve included a brief synopsis of information, along with web links, contact information and Twitter accounts for each.

Feel free to share others you would like to see included.

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