Agency Leaders Debate: Where does marketing fit in the product cycle?

Agency Leaders Debate and Agencies

Should marketers be involved from the very start of product development, rather than being brought in when it's ready for market? Join industry leaders as they dive into this ongoing debate.
Presenters and Guests
About the show

More Episodes

Is it harder than ever to get productivity out of your teams?

With squeezing budgets and tricky macroeconomic headwinds, marketers everywhere are turning a keen eye to productivity. And with an expansion of tools and options, we're hearing of productivity in even the most surprising of places, such as creative teams. But with endless distractions, not least from permanently-pinging work channels and apps, is it harder than ever to have a productive team? Experts from Cavendish, Make Honey, Optimizon and Across The Pond consider what really defines productivity in an agency setting, and how to maximise effectiveness of marketing teams.

Agency Leaders Debate: Should agencies collaborate with each other or go it alone?

In the modern marketing ecosystem, we see a rich tapestry of different relationships between agencies and clients, and between agencies too. Some make a virtue out of how nice they play with others; while others work hard to defend their patch and meet as many of their clients' needs as possible themselves. In this episode we hear from both sides of that divide and dig into what makes truly magical collaboration.

Agency leaders debate: Generative AI - fad or future?

In this episode, senior agency leaders explore the revolutionary impact of generative AI on creative industries: will they truly transform the way we work? Whether you're a skeptic or an evangelist, this debate will leave you with plenty of food for thought. Delve into the ethical and legal challenges surrounding generative AI and help to uncover whether this technology is ultimately helpful or hurtful to our industry.

Agency leaders debate: Are agency marketing budgets still too small?

Agency folk are constantly balancing marketing budgets against new business, investing in their teams, and countless other streams of money. And often, agency marketing is the first thing to be cut in times of strife. So, are agencies underinvesting in their own marketing, or is marketing spend harder to define, hidden in plain sight?

Agency leaders debate: Are marketers' tech stacks out of control?

It can sometimes seem that each technological development brings with it a price tag: new software to use, support contracts to sign, and skillsets to develop. Nowhere is that truer than the martech space, with top practitioners bemoaning an endless proliferation of tools, resulting in a list of options to make even the most tech-savvy leader blush. In this episode, top tech agencyfolk discuss whether the industry has a tech stack problem and, if so, what we can do about it.

10 more episodes +

Agency leaders debate: Should marketers lead brands to sustainable choices, or follow them?

Many marketers have seen a shift in their relationships with clients in recent years, taking on more strategic partnerships. But how much, if at all, should marketers push ethical agendas client-side, and to what extend should they simply follow their clients' lead? Agency leaders tell us who they think should steer the shift to sustainable choices.

Agency leaders debate: Are bad client relationships salvageable?

Relationship management is a perhaps under-sung art in agencyland, but it's the bread and butter of making and keeping clients. In this session, we ask agency leaders: can and should you try to save bad relationships? At what point should we wash our hands? And if bad relationships are salvageable, what's the secret sauce in turning things around?

2024: the year of the what?

Join industry experts as they unravel the trends shaping 2024, from the rise of long-form content to the pivotal role of collaboration in experiential marketing. Discover insights on building trust, authenticity, and engaging experiences that resonate with diverse audiences. Our experts share their predictions on the impact of social media on politics, the evolution of brand partnerships, and the shift towards an experience-led future.

Agency leaders debate: Does marketing call for narrower expertise than ever before?

Generalism vs specialism is one of the industry's oldest idle debates. We're seeing many agencies narrow their offering and skillsets to really dominate a corner of the market; at the same time, some big agencies have a range of specialisms few would have dreamed of 20 years ago. So, we ask agency leaders: is specialism more important than ever? Or, conversely, do generalists have the keys to success?

Agency leaders debate: how to build the perfect agency worker

We've heard a lot about how the industry's needs have shifted, and talent propositions have shifted too. What, now, are the big things that agencies look out for in talent? In the first episode of this new series of debates from The Drum Network, we ask agency leaders: does the perfect agency worker exist, and where can you find them?

Agency Leaders Debate: The B2B battle

Is bigger always better? Join B2B leaders as they debate the ideal agency size and explore the challenges and opportunities that come with consolidation and partnerships in the industry.

Agency Leaders Debate: Who owns the future?

Are big tech companies going dominate the industry or will the importance of the consumer prevail? Explore the future of the marketing industry with top agency leaders from CLICKON, Creativ Strategies, Raptor London, and SS+K as they debate who they think owns the future.

Agency leaders debate: Are agency boards too old?

Three agency board members debate whether agency boards are too old. Join our panel of experts as they examine what makes an effective board member and leader. Discover insights into selecting diverse boards capable of making effective decisions by drawing on a range of viewpoints and leadership skills.

Agency Leaders Debate: The power of visual culture in great creative

In this live episode, leading agency creatives from Global Street Art, OLIVER and TEAM LEWIS gather in the apt setting of Global Artworks' cultural archive. Explore the challenges and opportunities of bridging online and offline media in the creative industries, with a focus on impactful ideation, the creative process, and potential pitfalls of AI and technology reliance.

How immersive can marketing get?

In this live episode, immersive and experiential marketing experts from Pixel Artworks, Jack Morton, Impero and George P. Johnson gather in the apt setting of Pixel Artworks' immersive studio, The Lighthouse. Explore how immersive experiences are transforming campaigns and brand narratives, and hear specialist insights on crafting briefs, measuring success, and how top agencies are harnessing the intersection of AI with immersive marketing.