Agency Takeaways

By: Michelle McKenzie

Many of the agencies we have gone to have focused on telling us what is different about them. And while they do all have unique aspects, they also have some commonalities.

Almost every agency said something about generating emotion to change behavior. The lesson I took away from this is that the best advertising will make you feel something. It’s not only more enjoyable, it’s also more effective for clients.
Everyone wants to make the best, most innovative, and creative work. And sometimes this doesn’t align with what the client feels will be in their best interest. So sometimes you will have to compromise in advertising. The lesson: choose your battles.
Agency culture is important to pay attention to. Equally important is finding out who you will work for and who you will work next to. I think this played a huge part in the enthusiasm of the people at many of the agencies we visited. The lesson I found was that good people make good culture.
Honesty is valued in advertising. At almost every agency someone stressed the importance of staying true to yourself, and of not trying to fake your way into a job. Honesty is important in the work too, being disingenuous will hurt the quality of your work. Lesson: Don’t lie and don’t try to fake it. Find a way to tell the truth.
A lot of the agencies have white walls. I think maybe this is supposed to be a blank canvas to inspire your creativity. I’m not sure what the lesson is yet. Maybe colored paint is more expensive in NY?