FAQs

A typical agency search and selection process takes around 12 weeks to complete. It will of course vary based on client requirements and we can tailor our approach to meet your needs.

For an overview of our search and selection process click here.

We believe that it is crucial for key stakeholders to meet with unfamiliar Agencies and undertake Chemistry Meetings. These meetings will be arranged by The Observatory International (once Agencies have been placed under NDA) and will feature a brief credentials presentation from the Agency and possibly initial category thoughts and insights.

This provides an opportunity for clients to question the Agencies on key issues and gain a feeling for ‘inter-team’ compatibility.

The meetings benefit both clients and agencies – there is no point proceeding to the next round if there is little chemistry.

We recommend that all Clients hold workshop sessions with the Agencies between the briefing and pitch. This has the benefit of allowing agencies to use these sessions as ‘tissue’ meetings and to discuss early thinking on strategy and approach. It also gives the Client a sense of what it is like to actually work with the Agencies.

• Market knowledge – a search and selection consultant will have current, relevant information regarding the best selection of agencies available to handle your business.
• A managed process with robust timings – our clearly defined process with specific milestones avoids scope creep and overruns.
• Opportunity cost / benefit – reviews are time consuming and can be disruptive to an organisation’s operations. Our consultancy takes that pain away and operates as the sole point of contact and process management. Or, we can assist Procurement by providing our marketing expertise in their sourcing endeavours.
• Independence and impartiality – The Observatory International has an entirely client-facing business model – we do not take fees from agencies. We are therefore able to provide a level playing field for all participants, minimising the potential for challenges based on real or perceived levels of fairness.
• Usable results – we will work with you to develop a relevant strategic assignment. In the majority of our reviews work that is presented as part of the final presentation by the winning agency is utilised by the client. This greatly reduces time to market and quickens the learning curve of the agency.
• Signals you are serious – using a third party search consultant is a strong indicator that you are taking the pitch process seriously. A key concern for agencies is that some ‘pitches’ are for show to put pressure on the incumbent agency around cost negotiation, or mandated by Procurement.
• Compensation benchmarking – we can review compensation proposals for best practices and benchmark costs against current, similar agencies typically providing significant savings to our clients.

• Speed: our understanding of marketing communications and the agency landscape gets you to a workable solution in the shortest period of time.
• Cost effective: our unique case book of agencies’ rates and resource data allows us to negotiate well on our clients’ behalf, typically well beyond our engagement fee.
• Client-facing business model: The Observatory International has an entirely client-facing business model – we do not take fees from agencies. We are therefore able to provide a level playing field for all participants, minimising the potential for challenges based on real or perceived levels of fairness.
• Local and Global Intelligence: The Observatory International has eleven offices covering major markets to source the right agency solution, whereever in the world you go to market
• Experienced, dedicated resource: Our personnel have deep client and agency landscape knowledge plus the dedicated resource to relieve client teams of all logistical and administrative details of pitch management.
• Proprietary tools and resources: including our robust and comprehensive Global Agency Rates Database™; Alignment Comparator™ to rank search criteria, weight scoresheets, and engage all stakeholders; and Agency Performance Tracker™ to poll and monitor the status of your team / agency relationship.
• Unique accreditation: The Observatory International is the only global consultancy in this field which is recognised by the Management Consultancies’ Association and adheres to its Code of Practice.

Our first suggestion is a rigorous review of the agency’s scope of work to establish priorities. Then you can determine if you are using agency resources on projects that are not necessary and could be re-directed.

Next, your current staffing should be benchmarked and optimised.

If, after review and refining your scope of work, benchmarking and optimisation you still feel you need more from your agency than you are receiving you may wish to consult with other agencies to determine how they would handle your business.

The Observatory International operates an entirely client-facing business model. Unlike some other consultancies in our field, we take no fees or subscriptions from agencies – this allows us to remain impartial and independent – particularly important during fee negotiations.

When you register with us we will ask you for key profile information – such as your areas of specialism, key clients and overall size and capabilities of your agency. When we start an agency search process the The Observatory International database of registered agencies is a key tool we utilise so it is important you keep it up to date.

Registering with us is simple – please click on the this link and start completing your agency details.