Most agencies are run by one to three owners. The solo owner typically has no one who truly understands the unique challenges and potential of running a small to mid-sized marketing agency. If you’ve got a partner or two — you can kick ideas back and forth, but you are all inside the bottle. And just like we tell our clients — you can’t objectively see or describe the outside of the bottle from inside.
It can get lonely and it can be a bit of an echo chamber, if you’re only talking to yourselves.
That’s where AMR networks come in. By joining a network you get the best of both worlds. You get that outside perspective you really need but from someone who walks in your shoes every day.
When you join a network — you join it for the long haul. Each network meets in person twice a year (for 2 days) and stays in touch throughout the year, sharing resources, partnering on business, seeking counsel and enjoying each other’s friendship.
At the in person meetings (one in the fall and one in the spring) each member of the group presents an update on their own agency and gets to pick the collective brains of the group if they’re facing a specific challenge. We also share best practices in new business development, financial and marketing strategies, systems development, and organization and staffing strategies. The groups often invite a speaker to join them for a part of a day for some on-going professional development that is specific to running an agency.
Each network is composed of advertising agencies, public relations firms, digital marketing and design firms that want to grow to the next level. Only one company from any specific geographic market can be admitted to a network. The network is truly a safe and open harbor where valuable business collaborations and lifelong friendships develop.
To be considered for membership, you must:
- Be an agency owner (a minority owner is okay)
- Have attended either the Management Roundtable (Success Strategies for Small Agencies) or Financial Firepower workshop
- Be interested in peer group discussions and learning
- Be willing to share ideas generously and openly
The first network group was formed in 1999 in Las Vegas and continues to meet semi-annually at different locations throughout the country.
If you are an agency owner and think you’d like to explore the possibilities, call AMR at 515-989-1470 and ask for Drew or shoot him an email.
