Cutting Costs without Compromising Quality - The CFO's Guide to On-site Agencies

In the quest to optimize budgets without sacrificing quality, CFOs and procurement professionals are turning to the "In-house Agency as a Service" model. Offering a unique blend of cost-effectiveness and specialized expertise, on-site agencies are redefining the value proposition in marketing expenditure.

Balancing the Financial Scales in Marketing

In an era of budgetary scrutiny, CFOs and procurement professionals face the challenge of maximizing return on marketing investments. The "In-house Agency as a Service" model emerges as a compelling solution, merging the cost advantages of in-house teams with the specialized expertise of external agencies.

What's the Big Idea?

Companies want the best marketing without spending too much. One solution? Creating their own in-house marketing teams. This means they handle marketing inside the company instead of hiring an outside agency.

Why On-site Agencies Make Financial Sense:

  1. Efficiency & Speed = Cost Savings: The proximity and integration of on-site agencies reduce communication overheads. Faster decision-making not only ensures better marketing outcomes but also translates to cost savings by streamlining processes. On average, companies that move marketing operations in-house save 30%-40%.

  2. Transparent Pricing Models: Traditional agencies often come with hidden costs and premium markups. In contrast, on-site agencies offer transparent pricing structures, enabling better financial planning and budgetary control.

  3. Scalability Reduces Redundancies: Seasonal marketing demands can lead to cost inefficiencies. The flexible nature of the On-site Agency model allows businesses to upscale or downscale based on demand, preventing budgetary waste.

  4. No More MarTech Confusion: The tech landscape is rife with tools, each with its own pricing model. On-site agencies bring a curated set of MarTech and AI tools, eliminating the need for CFOs to navigate multiple subscriptions, licenses, and integration costs.

  5. Harnessing External Expertise without the Premium: One of the major costs associated with traditional agencies is the premium charged for their expertise. On-site agencies, while offering similar or even superior expertise, often do so at a fraction of the cost due to their integrated model.

  6. Future-proofing Investment: As the marketing realm evolves, so does its associated costs. On-site agencies, with their finger on the pulse of industry trends, can guide CFOs in making future-proof investments, ensuring sustainable returns.

In the 'On-Site model, also referred to as the 'In-House-Agency-as-a-Service' approach, external agencies play a pivotal role in both constructing and managing a company's in-house marketing operations. This collaborative model ensures the best of both worlds, with the expertise and flexibility of an external agency seamlessly integrated into the company's core functions. It's a strategic synergy that delivers heightened efficiency and impactful results.

Coupled with the 'On-Site' model, leveraging specialized and creative agencies for overall direction and creative concepts has been recognized as a winning strategy. According to a study conducted by the World Federation of Advertisers, this hybrid approach offers the best of both worlds. It allows companies to harness the focused expertise of specialized agencies for innovative creative concepts, while the 'On-Site' model ensures seamless execution and integration. This synergy not only drives effectiveness but also enables companies to adapt swiftly to evolving market dynamics, positioning them at the forefront of their industries.





Understanding the Cost-Quality Balance

  • Quality Assurance: While the financial benefits are clear, on-site agencies also ensure top-notch quality. Their model fosters collaboration, bringing together internal insights and external expertise to create high-impact campaigns.

  • Innovation at No Extra Cost: The co-creation setup of on-site agencies promotes innovative thinking. CFOs can be assured that they're not just saving money but also investing in forward-thinking marketing strategies.

Is the On-site Agency Model the Right Financial Decision?

For CFOs and procurement professionals, the decision hinges on:

  • The current ROI of marketing investments.

  • Long-term financial planning and budgetary allocations for marketing.

  • The need for agile, cost-effective, and innovative marketing solutions in a dynamic business landscape.




In the world of financial management, every dollar counts. The "In-house Agency as a Service" model stands out as a beacon for CFOs, offering a tangible way to enhance marketing ROI. As businesses navigate the complexities of modern marketing, on-site agencies offer a golden opportunity: to cut costs without compromising on quality, ensuring every marketing dollar is strategically invested for maximum impact.

Kasper Sierslev

Kasper is the Chief Creative and Commercial Officer at ZITE. An expert in in-house marketing setups, he has authored two best-selling books on the subject and collaborated with major international brands such as Apple, Lego, and Mars.

He has founded and led the in-house creative departments at Maersk, Georg Jensen, and Saxo Bank, and has assisted other organizations and brands in establishing their teams.

With over 20 years of experience in the advertising industry, Kasper has been recognized with international awards, including the European Digital Awards, Cannes Lions, and Muse Creative Awards.

Dedicated to nurturing creative talent, Kasper founded and continues to teach a content marketing course at The Danish School of Advertising.

Whether discussing the state of the in-house creative industry, sharing the pros and cons of in-house models, imparting wisdom on workflows and processes, or speaking on creativity at seminars, podcasts, or conferences, Kasper's insights are highly valued.

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In-house Agency as a Service - The Future of Efficient Marketing