Sample Agency Screening Criteria
Type of Agency Being Sought
Client X, an association, is seeking a full-service agency partner to serve as an agency of record (AOR) to handle its on-going annual advertising needs. (Public relations and direct marketing are handled by separate agencies with whom the advertising agency will interface.)
As a supplement to his Insight Brief, Organizing for an Agency Search, Brian Goodall has provided sample agency screening criteria.
Agency Experience
- Agencies specializing in the development and execution of corporate branding/identity programs.
- Proven credentials working with associations, marketing partnerships, foundations, etc.
- An ability to create and implement marketing programs targeted to multiple constituencies (consumers, health care professionals, government, not-for-profits, etc.).
- Health and nutrition, healthy lifestyles experience, and food marketing experience will be valued, but are not a requirement.
- A proven ability to work collaboratively with our other agency partners.
Location
East Coast or Midwest preferred, but highly qualified West Coast agencies will not be eliminated from consideration.
Agency Size
- An agency large enough to have depth of resources and broad experience.
- An agency with a diverse, blue-chip client list that is indicative of success in delivering strong corporate branding/identity programs.
- An agency not so large that the association will be “lost” or under-serviced.
- An agency not so large that it has inflated budget expectations.
- An agency that will value the association’s business.
Agency Disciplines
- Advertising creation and execution—primarily TV and consumer print.
- Design and production of association’s collateral and in-store merchandising materials.
- Full-service media planning.
- Full-service media buying.
- Fluency with new media and digital technologies.
- Sound strategic planning capabilities.
- In-house research capabilities for the design and execution of all consumer research.
Agency Ownership
- No preference.
Special Skill Sets
- The association board that will interact with the agency is comprised of CMOs from 25 large food manufacturers. They are sophisticated marketers who will demand a high level of creativity from the agency.
- The agency must be flexible and willing to work with the full board in the development and approval of all advertising programs.
- The association board will require rigorous advertising budget stewardship.
Conflict Policy
- While the association has no direct competition that would constitute a client conflict for agencies, if an agency contender has a client that is represented on our board, that agency cannot be considered for this assignment without the approval of the board member in question.