2. WEBINAR Five Signs That Your Agency’s Culture Works
Sarah Sikowitz, Principal Analyst
December 7, Call in at 12:55 p.m. Eastern time

4. Agenda Why your agency’s culture matters
Five signs of a strong agency culture strategy
How you can vet for productive and dynamic culture

5. Agenda Why your agency’s culture matters
Five signs of a strong agency culture strategy
How you can vet for productive and dynamic culture

6. Ad agencies are having a moment . . .
Image source: Wikimedia Commons (

7. . . . and it’s not a good one.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons (

8. Agency turnover rates are higher than competitive industries, widening by 10% year over year.
~ 30% attrition rate
There was a 25% net talent loss globally against competitive industries.
Source: Sean Callahan, “New LinkedIn and 4A’s Research Shows Current Talent Trends for Advertising Agencies,” LinkedIn Marketing Solutions Blog, March 22, 2016 (

9. Why are agency employees leaving?
54% don’t see opportunities for advancement
46% are unsatisfied with leadership
45% are unsatisfied with rewards/recognition
Source: Sean Callahan, “New LinkedIn and 4A’s Research Shows Current Talent Trends for Advertising Agencies,” LinkedIn Marketing Solutions Blog, March 22, 2016 (

10. Client experience suffers
Lower-quality work
Lost productivity
Incompatible work styles

12. Strong culture attracts and engages employees who delight clients
Source: Brief: Ignore Your Agency's Culture At Your Own Risk Forrester report

13. Forrester defines culture as: The shared values and beliefs that drive behavior.
Source: Brief: Ignore Your Agency's Culture At Your Own Risk Forrester report

14. Agency culture investments improve client experience
Source: Brief: Ignore Your Agency's Culture At Your Own Risk Forrester report

15. Agenda Why your agency’s culture matters
Five signs of a strong agency culture strategy
How you can vet for productive and dynamic culture

16. Hint…it’s not about parties and beer on tap…

17. Five signs of a clear culture strategy
Vision statement

18. Create a culture vision statement
Image source: 360i (

20. Five signs of a clear culture strategy
Vision statement
Hiring

21. Vet for cultural attributes in hiring
Rise Interactive has eight key attributes that make up a Riser: responsive, team player, demands excellence, customer-first mindset, accountable, can-do attitude, humble, and all-in.

22. Five signs of a clear culture strategy
Vision statement
Hiring
Retention/engagement

23. Encourage employee growth
Image source: Advertising Age (

24. Five signs of a clear culture strategy
Vision statement
Hiring
Retention/engagement
Behavior

25. Reward and recognize behavior
Great teams, great outcomes

26. Accessible and transparent leadership
Image source: Pexels (

27. Five signs of a clear culture strategy
Vision statement
Hiring
Retention/engagement
Behavior
New business

28. New business compatibility
Shared commitment to customer
Access
Motivation for change
Chemistry

29. Agenda Why your agency’s culture matters
Five signs of a strong agency culture strategy
How you can vet for productive and dynamic culture

30. Recommendations
Look for employee survey results.

31. Look for employee survey results
Ongoing, frequent measurement
Benchmarking
Evidence of action
Image source: Flickr (

32. Recommendations Look for employee survey results.
Listen to the direct source.

33. Listen to what employees are saying

34. Recommendations Look for employee survey results.
Listen to the direct source.
Learn by assessing your own culture.

35. Learn by assessing your own culture
Formal cultural assessment
Corporate values
Image source: Flickr (

36. Q&A

37. Sarah Sikowitz