This insights post is a summary of the blog post published by The Pollack Group. View the full insight at: Independent and Impactful: Five Reasons to Partner with an Independent PR Agency.
When you think about Public Relations and marketing firms, that can mean thousands of people in multinational firms or independent agencies that are not of that scale. While those big agencies work with high-profile brand names and provide extensive resources, there are a variety of reasons to choose an independent agency. At Worldcom Public Relations Group, all of our partners are part of a network of Independent agencies. Worldcom PR Partner, The Pollack Group (TPG) took a look at what it means to be an Independent PR agency and it translates into wins for their clients.
1. Personalized Attention from Senior Talent
Senior leaders tend to be present on client accounts, attend client meetings, and perform all activities with other team members. For example, Jennifer Lewis, Vice President at The Pollack Group, said “I still build media lists, draft news releases, and anything else a client needs because, despite my level of experience, we are committed to providing high-level service to those who have placed their trust in our agency. I can also confidently say that this is true for all senior leadership at TPG.”
2. Stronger Client and Agency Relationships
Some very large agencies will use the president and senior team to sell a project and be part of the account team, only to disappear as soon as the contracts were signed. With an independent agency, clients are more than a line item; it’s a partnership. Independent agencies will work closely with clients, understanding not just their business goals but their culture, challenges, and opportunities. Our work is professional, but there is also a personal layer to our relationship.
3. Fewer Clients = More Focus
We are deliberate in the number of clients we take on to ensure that we provide detailed attention to each one. Working with an agency of our size means the client gets 100 percent of our focus. In an era where storytelling is necessary for brand growth, independent PR files work to understand the human issues that help clients connect with their target audiences. Lewis said, “We are careful in the size of the client and their needs, as we honor our founding story, now over 40 years old. Noemi Pollack believed PR had become formulaic and stale, and too many agencies had lost sight of what it meant to deliver real value to clients. She believed that successful outcomes should come from breakthrough thinking and bold ideas.”
4. Tailored Strategies That Drive Results
More focus means more creativity. To be able to run a large agency, templates are created to develop a ‘consistent’ process. Although independent firms have processes in place for managing a client, most of them will develop customized strategies based on the needs and goals of a client’s business. No two clients are the same and shouldn’t be treated as such.
5. Better ROI Without the Overhead
It’s hard to imagine that paying for a team with senior talent, personalized strategies, and daily communication is more affordable compared to larger and multinational agencies, but the fact is, most clients get much more for their money with an independent agencies. Having a more compact team means that independent firms are able to tailor services. “This approach has helped us retain clients for years, even decades, because they see the tangible return on investment, not just in numbers, but in long-term brand equity,” Lewis said.
The Independent Advantage
Choosing an agency can be highly personal, and while we salute industry giants for their vast resources, we know some companies want a more intimate experience with their agency, and that’s where we come in. Ultimately, selecting an independent agency means getting a team that’s not just invested in your business but truly becomes part of it. To get more details an insights, read The Pollack Group’s full post at: Independent and Impactful: Five Reasons to Partner with an Independent PR Agency.
