Research finds strong client-agency relationships lead to more effective workThe strength of the relationship between clients and their agency has a direct correlation to the output of effective work. This follows new ground-breaking research carried out by Aprais, advisors to the marketers and agencies, and Warc. Image suppplied. Amy Rodgers, head of Warc Creative. “Does the strength of the relationship between client and agency correlate with effective work? We can answer with an emphatic ‘yes’" The strength of the relationship between clients and their agency has a direct correlation to the output of effective work. This follows new ground-breaking research carried out by Aprais, advisors to the marketers and agencies, and Warc. Outlined in the study Do stronger relationships produce stronger results? the analysis demonstrates where the strongest, most effective, relationships excel, and it points to where brands and agencies should focus their efforts in developing an effective culture in the partnerships they build. Key findings
“We’ve long held the belief that stronger relationships build stronger business. Now we have proof. This is a wake-up call to the industry. No longer is a positive client-agency relationship a soft option - it is a critical driver of marketing performance,” Kim Walker, founder, Aprais. “We are in the midst of a global paradigm shift where the happiness of teams, and the people that comprise them, is driving greater performance,” adds Walker. Three key areasThe research highlights three key areas where these effectiveness award-winning relationships excel.
“Does the strength of the relationship between client and agency correlate with effective work? Following this research using two unique sets of data, for the first time, we can answer with an emphatic ‘yes’. “The implications are profound for marketers and their agencies – and arguably for any business relationship. As uncertainty continues to dominate the business world, the importance of strong relationships to navigate through uncertainty is clear,” says Amy Rodgers, head of Warc Creative. MethodologyTo test the hypothesis that stronger relationships produce better results, two unique sets of data were used. The 1,800 winners of effectiveness awards world-wide, ranked in the Warc Effective 100 database between 2013-2022, were cross-matched with 25,000 client-agency evaluations conducted by Aprais. To qualify for the research, agency teams had to have been assessed by Aprais 12 months before the award was given, must have worked on the specific award-winning brand, and be in the geographic region where the work was awarded.This matching process gave a sample set of 282 evaluations of agencies that went on to win effectiveness awards and 278 evaluations of award-winning client relationships. A complimentary copy of the report is available to read for a limited time here. |