Pick an Agency · Blog
Guides, comparisons, honest takes.
Practical advice to help you find and work with the right advertising agency. No fluff, no affiliate-driven rankings.
01 · This week's lead story
Jul 20, 2026
GuidesJul 20 · 10 min read
Marketing Agency Red Flags Hiding in Proposals
Learn to spot 9 marketing agency red flags hiding in proposals before you sign, from vague deliverables to inflated reviews and missing timelines.
The verdict
Marketing agency proposals often contain subtle warning signs that predict future headaches, from suspiciously vague deliverables to unrealistic guarantees and missing accountability metrics. Recognizing these red flags before signing protects your budget and timeline from agencies that overpromise and underdeliver.
By Nathan Denier
02 · Editor's picks
Last 3 releases
Insights10 min read
Which Countries Have the Most Marketing Agencies Per Capita?
Estonia has 4.2x more marketing agencies per capita than the US. See the full country rankings and what they mean for hiring.
Nathan DenierJul 16Insights8 min read
Do Specialist Agencies Beat Generalists? What 47,000 Agencies Reveal
Data from 47,000 agencies reveals specialists outperform generalists in client reviews. See when each model wins and how to choose.
Nathan DenierJul 13Insights9 min read
Where Are the World's Marketing Agencies? A Data Map
See exactly where 47,000+ marketing agencies cluster globally. Data maps reveal São Paulo leads, Estonia punches above its weight, and North America...
Nathan DenierJul 903 · Latest
73 articles
Guides13 min read · Apr 29, 2026
How to Write a Marketing Agency Brief That Gets Results
How to write an agency brief that gets sharp proposals: the sections that matter, why budget transparency wins, and a structure agencies respond to.
By Nathan Denier
Guides11 min read · Apr 27, 2026
How to Run a Competitive Agency Pitch Process
How to run an agency pitch that works: shortlist size, brief format, scoring criteria, and a realistic timeline from RFP to signed contract.
By Nathan Denier
Guides10 min read · Apr 26, 2026
The Complete Guide to B2B Advertising Agencies
B2B advertising agencies explained: what they do differently, when you need one, what they cost, and how to vet partners built for long sales cycles.
By Nathan Denier
Guides11 min read · Apr 25, 2026
How to Fire Your Advertising Agency Without Burning Bridges
How to fire your ad agency cleanly: notice periods, recovering your accounts and assets, and keeping campaigns alive through the handoff.
By Nathan Denier
Guides12 min read · Apr 24, 2026
What to Expect in Your First 90 Days With an Ad Agency
What the first 90 days with a new ad agency should look like: milestones week by week, early warning signs, and how to judge performance fairly.
By Nathan Denier
Comparisons13 min read · Apr 23, 2026
Freelancer vs. Agency: When to Choose Each
Freelancer vs. Agency, When to Choose Each - an in-depth comparison to help you make the right decision for your business. Expert analysis from Pick an Agency.
By Nathan Denier
Guides11 min read · Apr 21, 2026
How to Measure the ROI of Your Advertising Agency
How to measure your ad agency's real ROI: attribution that holds up, the vanity metrics agencies hide behind, and a simple monthly scorecard.
By Nathan Denier
Industry12 min read · Apr 13, 2026
Best Advertising Agencies for Fintech Startups
Find the best advertising agencies for your industry. Best Advertising Agencies for Fintech Startups: verified reviews, pricing, and expert picks for 2026.
By Nathan Denier
Comparisons6 min read · Apr 6, 2026
Local Agency vs. Remote Agency: Pros and Cons
A comprehensive guide to local agency vs. remote agency: pros and cons. Expert insights from Pick an Agency.
By Nathan Denier
Industry12 min read · Apr 6, 2026
Best Advertising Agencies for Real Estate
A comprehensive guide to advertising agencies for real estate. Expert insights from Pick an Agency.
By Nathan Denier
Guides9 min read · Mar 31, 2026
Best Advertising Agencies for E-commerce in 2026
Find out what to look for in an e-commerce advertising agency and how to choose the right partner to grow your online store.
By Nathan Denier
Explainers7 min read · Mar 31, 2026
What Is a Media Buying Agency? (And Do You Need One?)
Understand what media buying agencies do, how they differ from creative agencies, and whether your business needs one.
By Nathan Denier
Guides10 min read · Mar 31, 2026
LinkedIn Ads for B2B: The Complete 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know about LinkedIn advertising for B2B companies - formats, targeting, costs, and when to hire an agency.
By Nathan Denier
Guides8 min read · Mar 31, 2026
Agency Retainer vs Project-Based: Which Model Is Right for You?
Compare retainer and project-based agency models to find out which pricing structure works best for your business.
By Nathan Denier
Research12 min read · Mar 26, 2026
State of Advertising Agencies in 2026: Data, Trends & Benchmarks
Original data from Pick an Agency's directory: agency pricing benchmarks, most popular services, top locations, team sizes, and client satisfaction trends across hundreds of agencies worldwide.
By Nathan Denier
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