What to Watch Out for in a Creative Agency

Well, well, well. What have we here? A growing brand that's killing it so hard they need a creative agency to help them take their business to the next level?

We love to see it.

Whether you're a baby brand getting ready to level up with targeted marketing and elevated assets, or you're an established company that needs a new partner to usher in a new era, choosing the right creative agency to support your goals is crucial. You're going to need to connect with an agency that understands where you've been, so they can embrace where you're headed; a creative partner who will advocate for your vision while challenging your assumptions and protecting your brand.

Making the wrong choice can have far-reaching consequences, so let's take a beat here and identify some red and green flags to watch out for when choosing a creative agency.

Hold Your Horses

Listen, pobody's nerfect but there are some flaws that shouldn't be ignored when you're identifying your creative partners. Let's take a look at some red flags and warning signs that should alert you to larger underlying problems.

🚩 They're too quiet: Much like with an in-house team member, you're going to want to watch out for unclear or inconsistent communication. If they're not following up with you promptly during the pitch process, when they're trying to win your business and impress you, imagine how much worse it'll be when they've got your signature on the contract.

🚩 They haven't done much: Everyone starts somewhere, but if your creative agency is inexperienced or hasn't done much to diversify its client base, then you might want to reconsider the partnership. The exception to this rule is for highly niched agencies that cater to your industry specifically.

🚩 They don't show their faces: If they can't introduce key team members during the pitch phase, it could be a signal that they're experiencing employee turnover and don't know who will be working on your account in the near term. Make sure you feel confident that the people you're working with will be the people you collaborate with regularly

🚩 They have no idea what comes next: If you're being offered generic proposals that look like they've been rinsed and reused for years, or if you can't get a straight answer on timelines, methodologies, and ownership rights, then you might want to skip your second meeting.

Get the Lead Out

A strong creative partner is a solid bet for your business. Here are some green flags that will make you go "Weird flex, but I'm into it."

✅ They've seen it all: A creative agency is only as good as its creatives, so an experienced team with high quality work under their belt is a good sign that you've found a great partner. Bonus points if they've got players on the team that can translate strategic plans into campaign conversions.

✅ They like to yap: Great communication is must-have for a creative partner. Connect with an agency that prioritizes keeping you in the loop so that you never have to go begging for status updates or wonder what's being hidden behind the curtain.

✅ They take responsibility: Mistakes get made. What's important is that your creative partner is accountable for issues that arise or errors that occur, and not defensive about being (diplomatically) called out. But hey, don't be a jerk about it, OK? Everyone is doing their best all the time, we promise.

✅ They have a great reputation: A strong creative partner will have references and a proven track record of exceeding expectations and respecting budgets. Ask for a client list, ask how long some of their clients have been clients, get a full picture of what a long-term relationship is like with the agency.

Making the Final Call

At the end of the day, all of these things can be true (and they are, Scout's honor!), and you're still gonna have to go with your gut. If something feels off, you should trust your instinct. If something's telling you to take a risk on a partner that doesn't look like a perfect fit on paper, take the risk.

That's the thing about creative. It's personal, and you're going to have to get personal with it if it's going to succeed.