Becoming Part of the Team: Understanding Brands as an External Agency

by Abi Penrose

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, agencies play a pivotal role in helping brands stay ahead of the curve and outperform their competition. However, the success of any agency hinges on its ability to truly understand the brands it represents. This understanding goes beyond just knowing the products or services a brand offers; it involves delving into the brand’s identity, values, and aspirations.

You can’t truly know a brand until you have spent time with them. I don’t just mean a Zoom call here and there, you’ve got to immerse yourself in what makes that brand unique – their culture, the way they operate, their core beliefs. If you want to develop long-term, lasting relationships with clients, don’t limit yourself to your defined role – be curious, ask questions outside of your remit, understand all elements of their business and how they come together. I promise you, this will only make your life easier in the long run when you need Jake from HR to be part of your video production, and you already have a working relationship with him!

Let’s discuss the importance of this understanding and how it can elevate the effectiveness of your efforts as an external supplier.

– Abi Penrose, Events Through a Lens

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, agencies play a pivotal role in helping brands stay ahead of the curve and outperform their competition. However, the success of any agency hinges on its ability to truly understand the brands it represents. This understanding goes beyond just knowing the products or services a brand offers; it involves delving into the brand’s identity, values, and aspirations.

You can’t truly know a brand until you have spent time with them. I don’t just mean a Zoom call here and there, you’ve got to immerse yourself in what makes that brand unique – their culture, the way they operate, their core beliefs. If you want to develop long-term, lasting relationships with clients, don’t limit yourself to your defined role – be curious, ask questions outside of your remit, understand all elements of their business and how they come together. I promise you, this will only make your life easier in the long run when you need Jake from HR to be part of your video production, and you already have a working relationship with him!

Let’s discuss the importance of this understanding and how it can elevate the effectiveness of your efforts as an external supplier.

– Abi Penrose, Events Through a Lens

1.

Brand Consistency

An agency that comprehends a brand’s core values and messaging can ensure that all communication channels, whether it’s content production, social media or more, remain consistent with the brand’s identity. Consistency builds trust and recognition among consumers – does “just do it” ring a bell?

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2.

Targeted Campaigns

Understanding a brand inside out enables an agency to slot into their role within highly targeted marketing campaigns. Knowing the audience personas, pain points, and preferences allows for more effective content creation and ad placement, resulting in higher engagement and conversion rates.

The role of an external agency goes beyond just carrying out allocated work; it involves becoming a brand advocate.

3.

Brand Voice and Storytelling

Every brand has a unique voice, and compelling storytelling is a vital aspect of marketing. A deep understanding of the brand allows an agency to leverage that voice to most effectively resonate with their audience, creating emotional connections, which are the foundation of consumer loyalty. Think of every time you’ve cried at the John Lewis Christmas adverts, for example.

4.

ROI Optimization

An agency that understands a brand’s goals and objectives can work more efficiently. This knowledge enables them to focus on channels and strategies that yield the highest return on investment, saving both time and money.

5.

Long-term Partnership

As we’ve talked about above, brands appreciate agencies that invest time in understanding their ethos. Such agencies often develop long-lasting partnerships with their clients, as they become trusted advisors rather than being seen as external service providers. This also tends to lead to stellar testimonials and recommendations, resulting in more work!

Conclusion

Some final words

The role of an external agency goes beyond just carrying out allocated work; it involves becoming a brand advocate. An agency that truly understands the brands it works for can craft compelling campaigns, build strong brand recognition, and ultimately contribute to the brand’s long-term success. By investing in this understanding, agencies not only deliver value to their clients but also solidify their own reputation as invaluable partners in the ever-evolving world of marketing.

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