For many years, big-name marketing agencies dominated the industry – with flashy offices, expensive retainers and slick pitch decks that made them look like the obvious choice for ambitious brands.
But the tide is turning – and it has been for the last few years. More businesses are walking away from the big agency model. And it’s a shift worth celebrating.
Here’s why.
The problem with big agencies
Some big agencies have built reputations based on prestige, not necessarily performance. Big, industry-leading brands have been shifting to the smaller-mid size agency for the last few years because of these recurring issues:
- Long lead times that kill momentum
Would you believe that a brand approached us for marketing help because their existing big-name agency had spent 6 months ideating some creative examples for them, yet their brief was that they needed marketing to be implemented and executed 4 months ago?
Let’s be real. We know that some good things do take time. Building a brand, earning trust, crafting truly great creative. But in today’s landscape, speed is strategy. We now live in a world where trends can change overnight, consumer behaviour shifts in real time and the platforms we market on evolve every week. In that environment, sometimes waiting only a few weeks to implement a campaign isn’t just frustrating – it can be the difference between relevance or being left behind.
Imagine identifying a marketing opportunity, a seasonal moment, or a viral trend – only to miss the window because of drawn-out processes. That kind of delay can cost you engagement, revenue and momentum.
Smart marketing still requires thought & strategy – but execution needs to be agile. When you move quickly, you don’t just keep up with trends – you lead them. This is exactly where more nimble agencies thrive.
- Junior people on key accounts
Many large agencies impress you in the pitch process with senior talent – and then when they’ve got you hooked, they hand you off to the more junior team members will little experience. The outcome? Results that don’t match your expectations.
It’s a story we hear all too often – the old Bait and Switch.
While these junior team members are smart and enthusiastic, they are learning on the job – and your brand is not a training ground.
It’s not even their fault – it’s the outdated big-agency model. At The Bubble Co., we flip the script. We run a flexible and remote model – and that just doesn’t suit more junior people. We hire experience, who can work autonomously, and that’s what you get from the start.
- Lack of time and attention
When you work with a bigger agency, you’re often just one of many – sometimes one of hundreds – of clients competing for attention and results.
The reality? It’s unlikely that you’re their top priority. If you’re part of a portfolio of clients bigger than you – then you’re not front and centre. This can mean:
- Briefs take weeks to get a response
- Deadlines get moved
- Opportunities slip by unnoticed
- You’re constantly chasing them
- They are burnt out and have no time for a deep understanding of your goals
- High costs with hidden inefficiencies
Big agencies can often mean big price tags. But you’re not just paying for your brand to be elevated – you’re also covering that flashy office, the Friday drinks, people learning on the job and the layers of unnecessary project management.
At The Bubble Co., we run lean intentionally. No unnecessary layers. No bloated teams. No office ping-pong tables funded by client retainers. Just focused, senior talent working directly on your brand — delivering high-impact work.
Our clients pay for strategy, creativity, and performance — not champagne in the boardroom.
Ready to chat about optimising your marketing for success? Let’s chat.
