Advertising Age - Small Agency Diary

Want to Inspire Your Staff? Push Them Out of the Office for a Day

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:30:28 -0400

The ad industry has long hours, tight deadlines and many thankless moments. How can agency managers inspire their staffs?

Clients Need to Know: Are You Helping or Selling?

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:11:19 -0400

We must assure clients that we have their best interests at heart, not an agenda.

The Big Problem With 'The Pitch': It Portrays an Outdated Business Model

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:30:09 -0400

"The Pitch" can be fun to watch, but it portrays an outdated business model.

When Big Ideas Come from Small Companies

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:00:26 -0400

The freshest marketing ideas don't always come from big-budget marketing departments. They come from entrepreneurs who use their ingenuity to stand out.

A Wise Word for Obama and Our Profession: Transparency

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:03:27 -0400

When political supporters and consumers are left largely in the dark, negative assumptions spread in the public.

Small Agency Awards Deadline Extended One Last Time: Entries Due May 7

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:10:01 -0400

Ad Age has extended the deadline for entries into its Small Agency Awards competition until May 7.

If You Want a True Community on Social Media, You Have to Create It

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:25:08 -0400

Social media give marketers a chance to build a real community of customers.

Report from Social-Media's Front Lines

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:02:16 -0400

The best way to stay ahead of the fast-changing social media and digital-marketing ecosystem is to go to its Mecca.

A Great Way to Re-Energize Your Creative Batteries

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:00:16 -0400

Creative Week is an annual celebration of creativity in advertising, design, digital media and arts. It brings fresh thinking to all aspects of our business.

When One Agency's Ideas Show Up In Another Agency's Work

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:00:46 -0400

What happens when you lose a pitch--but your work ends up in the client's campaign anyway?

Don't Underestimate How Much Preparation Means to Success

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:52:04 -0400

We are often so caught up in details that we forget to draft a simple plan of execution that will guide us from start to finish and prepare us for challenges that may arise.

Treat and Court Your Current Clients As If They're Potential New Business

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:45:50 -0400

A devastating loss for an AOR pitch gives a team fresh insights.

Mining Your Partners' Partners to Build Your Client Base

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:01:49 -0400

With the right strategic business partners in place, you can connect directly to their networks.

The Big Guys Have Reams of Research; Now You Can Too

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:18:36 -0400

Large agencies leverage big research resources. One company is using social-media data to help small firms compete affordably.

Smaller Shops Get Creative in Luring Talent From Bigger Agencies

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:01:00 -0400

What many small shops can boast that their larger brethren cannot is more flexibility, transparency and quality of life.

If Ideas Are Fuel for Your Business, Here's a Book to Help Fill Up Your Tank