Ad agencies have come in for a look of stick over recent years (much of it justified). But though we may have struggled to adjust to life in a fragmented, interactive, digital world, when it comes to doing good old fashioned 'ads' quality still shines through.
The UK's Marketing Magazine has just published results from its survey of 'the nation's most hated ads from 2005'. Of the top 10, 3 were produced in-house and 3 by agencies outside the above-the-line Premier League.
Some companies clearly do have what it takes to produce communications in house. And more power to them. But many more don't (even if they think they do). I know it saves money, and that there's no such things as bad publicity. But how much cash do you lose longer term by irritating your customers?
Yes, ad agencies can seem arrogant, intransigent and expensive. But not all the time! And not all of them (just pick carefully).
And you never know, it may be that the end product more than justifies a bit of grief every now and then.
