logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
30m 41s

The Truth About Agency Models

Marketing Architects
About this episode
41% of agencies bill by the hour, but only 24% of marketers prefer this model. As AI reshapes marketing, traditional agency structures are cracking. So what comes next?

This week, Elena and Rob tackle the evolving agency landscape. They explore why the term "agency" might disappear within three years, how AI is pushing the industry toward platform-based solutions, and what marketers should look for in strategic partners. Whether you're considering bringing services in-house or evaluating new agency relationships, discover how to navigate the shifting marketing services landscape.

Topics covered: 
  • [01:00] Traditional agency models vs modern alternatives
  • [03:30] What marketers really want from agency partnerships
  • [12:00] The real cost of bringing services in-house
  • [18:00] How AI is transforming agency relationships
  • [21:00] Why platforms might replace traditional agencies
  • [24:00] What marketing services could look like by 2026 


 





To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter. 


Resources: 
2024 WARC Article: https://www.warc.com/content/feed/if-ai-saves-agency-time-does-charging-by-the-hour-still-make-sense/en-gb/10068
2024 WARC Podcast Episode: https://www.warc.com/content/paywall/article/warc-talks/why-agency-business-models-are-hurting-effectiveness/en-gb/155118
 

Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Up next
Yesterday
10 Ways to Not Be a Boring Brand Next Year
Hyper-targeting is paying more to ignore your future customers. That's the reality most brands face today. They've optimized themselves into tiny corners while competitors copy each other into oblivion. That’s just one tip of many in this week’s episode.<br /><br />Elena, Angela, ... Show More
23m 15s
Nov 20
Nerd Alert: Skippable vs. Non-Skippable Ads
Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We’re breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use.<br /><br />In this episode, Elena and Rob explore how s ... Show More
9m 55s
Nov 18
Finding the Efficiency/Effectiveness Balance
Budget explains 89% of profit variation in award-winning campaigns. ROI? Just 11%. Yet 65% of senior marketers still believe ROI is the biggest contributor to success.<br /><br />This week, Elena, Angela, and Rob discuss new research from Les Binet and Will Davis that reveals a m ... Show More
28m 58s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
The Secret to Marketing Success | Double Down on What Works
<p>In this eye-opening episode of the GaryVee Audio Experience,I sit down with Mo Said, a creative entrepreneur who founded the advertising agency, Mojo Supermarket. We dive into the changing landscape of advertising and marketing. our conversations challenge the traditional noti ... Show More
41m 23s
Jan 2024
How to Grow a Niche Marketing Agency
Are you a niche marketer ready to open a full marketing agency? Looking for advice on hiring, service models, and client acquisition? To discover how one marketer transitioned from solopreneur to marketing agency owner, Brooke Sellas interviews Louise Brogan. Guest: Louise Brogan ... Show More
45m 2s
May 2025
The EXACT Formula I Use to Grow Businesses with Organic Social Content | GaryVee Possible Keynote/Q&A
This one’s for the marketers, brand builders, and business leaders still clinging to yesterday’s playbook. In this high-energy keynote and raw Q&A from the POSSIBLE conference, I’m throwing punches—at outdated marketing models, bloated ad budgets, and the creative delusion plagui ... Show More
35m 30s
Nov 2024
The AI Opportunity Your Agency Is Missing w/ Richard Banfield
AI is disrupting every industry and maybe it’s caused a shake up or 2 in your agency over the last year.  But there’s an opportunity that most agencies are likely overlooking. That’s according to today’s guest, Richard Banfield. Richard is a veteran of agency life, a self-describ ... Show More
51m 46s
Feb 2025
The Evolution of Marketing: What Worked Then vs. What Works Now
<p>Marketing is constantly evolving, and what worked a decade ago may no longer be effective in today’s digital landscape. In this episode of <em>Social Media Decoded</em>, marketing strategist and business coach <strong>Michelle Thames</strong> explores the transformation of mar ... Show More
8m 13s
Jul 2024
Trends in Digital Marketing Jobs
<p>How does the current job market look for digital marketing professionals? How is AI impacting the jobs scene? </p> <p>In this episode, <a href="https://willfrancis.com/">Will Francis⁠</a>⁠ interviews <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-payne-09722856/" target="_blank" r ... Show More
51m 21s
Jun 2025
How to grow a marketing freelancer / consultancy business in 2025 - Mel Barfield & Ben McKinney
Today, we spoke to Mel Barfield and Ben McKinney (Indie Business Club podcast and Copy Or Die copywriting agency) on how to stand out and grow your business as a freelancer or contractor. Whether you're already solo or pondering a career change, this session will be packed with t ... Show More
57m 35s
Apr 2020
Let's Talk about Girls in Marketing - The Girl Power Revolution
<p>Episode 1 of the Girls in Marketing podcast details all about the Girls in Marketing community, why it was set up, and what the plans are for the future. Olivia, Emma, and Suzie also chat about what life is like as a marketer as well as introduce themselves and what their job ... Show More
30m 41s
May 2025
This One Shift Will Make or Break Your Brand in 2025 | GaryVee Advertising Week Interview
This one’s for anyone in marketing who’s still clinging to outdated tactics.I sat down for a conversation at Advertising Week and went deep on how the industry is changing — fast. From the collapse of social media as we knew it to the rise of live shopping, AI influencers, and at ... Show More
23m 3s
Sep 4
Amy Hayes Proves Referrals Beat Social Media Marketing
Send us a textShow Notes: How to Build Premium Services Without the Premium HeadachesWhat if everything you've been told about raising your rates is backwards?Amy Hayes, founder of The Global Creator, spent a decade building a design business that runs almost entirely on referral ... Show More
47m 16s