“The new normal” and the “future of work” have become familiar terms over the past 4 months, as the world has become engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic. But how do these buzzwords translate towards changes in industries such as the world of creative agencies?
Our recent article on the future of work discovered that the changes taking place are simply the hastening of trends that we were already seeing before lockdown was introduced. Remote working was already on the rise, employees were already looking for a more flexible way of working, freelancing has been growing in popularity for over a decade.
So, what about the traditional agency model?
It’s fair to say that this sector was already being challenged before Covid-19 arose. Whilst huge agencies have still been very much reliant on the traditional model of expensive offices and an army of employees, smaller flexible agencies have started creeping in. For example, John Ashton set up his remote writing agency, WriteArm, in 2012 from his kitchen table. Built with an army of freelancers, he has been able to flex his workforce up and down when times are busy or quiet. This model presents less risk but still allows John to work with a group of trusted people that he knows can deliver the quality his clients expect.
These new digitally activated agencies were already taking a piece of the agency pie, but now, with the effect of coronavirus, it looks like the big players will have to take a leaf from their book.
The end of pristine offices and extravagant client entertainment
Parties at the office bar and taking clients out for expensive meals…