Setup Blog

As competition intensifies and Clients get more selective about what they want, Agencies must navigate hurdles that directly affect their ability to meet Client expectations and learn to adjust. Let’s dive into the core obstacles Agencies are tackling this year, why they’re critical to address, and practical strategies to stay ahead in an ever-changing industry. 

Choosing the right marketing Agency in 2025 is about more than finding a vendor—it’s about building a partnership that can adapt to your needs, communicate effectively, and drive long-term results. Start with clear goals, leverage trusted referrals, and prioritize compatibility and communication. Remember, the right Agency won’t just execute campaigns—they’ll act as an extension of your team, helping your Brand navigate challenges and seize opportunities.

While our previous blogs recapping the Marketing Relationship Survey highlight key communication tactics and needs to sustain and improve the Agency-Client relationships, today we’re simply asking: What kind of work is getting noticed and needed by Clients, and what should Agencies prioritize? 

In the 6th annual Setup Marketing Relationship Survey, we uncovered that 40% of Clients intended to switch Agencies in the next 6 months. Although this is significantly less from previous years, the sentiment remains the same: Clients desire more from their Agency partners. This blog breaks down exactly what Clients desire from their Agency partners and how the two parties can work together to create harmonious relationships.

The Setup Marketing Relationship Survey revealed that 40% of Clients surveyed will switch Agency partners in the next six months. This is consistent with our 2023 survey results where Ad Age concluded that more reviews may be coming. Why are reviews coming and what could make the Agency-Client relationship stronger? 

The marketing world is always changing, but the core principles of great leadership stay the same. To help you navigate this evolving landscape, we’ve gathered insights from some of the top CMOs in the business from our featured 2024 CMO Spotlight interviews. These ten lessons are just as relevant now as they’ll be in 2025, offering practical advice on leading with impact and staying adaptable in a fast-moving marketplace.

Spotify Wrapped, launched in 2016, has significantly contributed to Spotify's growth by engaging users through personalized listening data and encouraging social media sharing. There are a number of Brands that have created cultural touchstones that create hype and consumer anticipation. How can you implement these learnings into your own marketing strategy?

When Wicked debuted in theaters in 2024, it didn’t just break records—it created a cultural moment (some would say it defied expectations). With a jaw-dropping $164 million opening weekend surpassing other notable Broadway film adaptations like Les Miserable and Mean Girls, the beloved story featuring some of the world’s biggest stars was immediately a box office triumph and a marketing masterpiece. Behind its success was a multifaceted strategy picking out the perfect partnerships that not only thrilled fans of the original, but also reached entirely new audiences of all ages and preferences (even the musical haters). 

Black Friday has undergone a dramatic transformation since its chaotic in-store origins in the 1960s. Once synonymous with one-day-only doorbuster deals and frenzied shopping, the event is now a weeks-long digital phenomenon, shaped by evolving consumer behavior, economic pressures, and innovative retailer strategies, not to mention some potential trust issues with consumers. Here’s a comprehensive look at how Brands and consumers are navigating Black Friday 2024.

Last week, Setup hosted a LinkedIn Live event led by Setup Founder & CEO, Joe Koufman, that featured Courtney Lewis, the CMO of The Variable, and Elicia Azali, the CMO of Beazer Homes, to unveil the 2024 Setup Marketing Relationship Survey – an annual report that delves into the dynamics between marketing Agencies and Clients. This year’s results, drawn from over 400 responses across industries, spotlight the evolving priorities, challenges, and opportunities in these relationships.