5 Signs It’s Time to Change Agencies

The relationship between a brand and its agency partner can often be likened to a marriage: built on trust, collaboration, and shared goals.

However, as with any partnership, there may come a time when it no longer feels like the right fit. When that happens, recognising the signs early can save time, resources, and potential setbacks.

At The GO! Network, we work with hundreds of brands and agencies every year, helping them form connections that drive results. Through this experience, we’ve identified five key signs that indicate it may be time to review your agency partnerships.

‍

1. Poor Performance or Unmet Expectations

‍

One of the clearest indicators that it’s time for a change is when your agency is consistently underperforming. Are they missing deadlines? Falling short of KPIs? Struggling to deliver the innovation you were promised?

While occasional bumps in the road are inevitable, persistent underperformance can hold your brand back. Whether it’s an inability to execute strategies effectively or a failure to adapt to shifting priorities, poor performance erodes trust and hampers results.

‍

Ask Yourself:

• Are your campaigns delivering the ROI you expected?

• Is your agency demonstrating a proactive approach to solving challenges?

• Are you spending more time managing the agency than focusing on strategy?

‍

The Fix: Before making a final decision, communicate your concerns clearly with your agency. Sometimes, performance issues stem from miscommunication or misaligned expectations. If the issues persist despite attempts to resolve them, it may be time to seek a partner better suited to your needs.

‍

‍

2. Misalignment with Your Brand’s Vision and Goals

‍

A successful agency relationship hinges on alignment – both creatively and strategically. If your agency doesn’t seem to “get” your brand or struggles to keep up with its evolution, it’s a sign the partnership is losing traction.

Perhaps your brand has undergone significant growth, entered a new market, or pivoted its business model. Whatever the change, your agency needs to adapt alongside you. If they’re clinging to outdated strategies or failing to challenge the status quo, they could be holding you back.

‍

Ask Yourself:

• Does your agency’s creative output reflect your brand’s personality and values?

• Are they suggesting innovative ideas that align with your long-term strategy?

• Do you feel confident they understand your market and audience?

‍

The Fix: Agencies should be an extension of your team, working as collaborative partners. If they’re not evolving with your brand, a new agency could inject fresh energy and perspective into your campaigns.

‍

View our editorial: To appoint, or not to appoint: How to truly assess the capabilities of a potential new marketing agency partner

‍

3. Lack of Transparency or Communication

‍

Strong communication is the cornerstone of any agency partnership. If your agency is slow to respond, doesn’t provide regular updates, or leaves you questioning how your budget is being spent, it may be time to reassess.

Transparency is particularly critical when it comes to metrics and reporting. If you’re not receiving clear insights into performance, it’s difficult to make informed decisions. Similarly, if you’re constantly chasing updates or feeling left in the dark, it’s a sign your agency isn’t prioritising your relationship.

‍

Ask Yourself:

• Do you understand where your budget is being allocated?

• Is your agency proactive in communicating results and next steps?

• Do you feel valued as a client, or are you being deprioritised?

‍

The Fix: When communication falters, trust breaks down. Address these issues with your agency and establish clear expectations for reporting and check-ins. If they’re unable or unwilling to meet those expectations, you may be better served by a partner with a more client-focused approach.

‍

4. Declining Value for Investment

‍

Every marketing budget is precious, and your agency should deliver measurable value for every pound spent. If you’re questioning whether their work justifies the cost, it’s time to dig deeper.

Signs of declining value include inflated pricing, diminishing results, or the sense that you’re not receiving the level of expertise you’re paying for. For example, if a retainer fee remains unchanged while output decreases, it may indicate a misalignment in priorities.

‍

Ask Yourself:

• Are you confident that your agency fees are competitive and reasonable?

• Do you feel like you’re receiving senior-level expertise and attention?

• Are your competitors achieving more with similar budgets?

‍

The Fix: Benchmarks and comparisons are key. Use tools like The GO! Network’s Portal to evaluate agency performance across similar budgets and industries. Understanding what’s possible within your budget can clarify whether your current agency is falling short.

‍

View our editorial: Upping the Investment - How to Get Buy-in for Marketing Agency Support from your C-suite

‍

5. A Lack of Cultural Fit

‍

While metrics and deliverables are crucial, cultural alignment is just as important. An agency that doesn’t align with your brand’s culture or values can create friction, making it difficult to achieve shared success.

Perhaps they don’t approach challenges with the same level of enthusiasm as your in-house team or fail to demonstrate a strong understanding of your company ethos. This disconnect can lead to frustration and missed opportunities for collaboration.

‍

Ask Yourself:

• Does your agency feel like an extension of your team?

• Are they demonstrating a genuine interest in your brand’s success?

• Do you enjoy working with them, or is the relationship purely transactional?

‍

The Fix: A positive cultural fit fosters creativity, trust, and long-term partnerships. If you’re not excited to collaborate with your agency, it may be time to explore other options.

‍

How The GO! Network Can Help

If you’ve recognised one or more of these signs in your current agency relationship, you’re not alone. Many brands come to The GO! Network looking for a solution to these exact challenges.

We offer a structured, data-driven approach to agency search and selection. Our process ensures you’re matched with partners who align with your vision, goals, and budget.

Through our proprietary, technology platform - The Portal, we evaluate agency case studies, credentials, and performance to provide you with a tailored shortlist of partners that fit your specific needs.

‍

Here’s how we make the transition seamless:

1. Consultation: We work with you to define your needs, objectives, and challenges.
2. Tailored Shortlist: Using our proprietary technology and industry expertise, we identify agencies that meet your criteria.
3. Endorsements: We provide detailed agency recommendations, including case studies and commentary to support your decision-making.
4. Guided Process: From chemistry calls to final pitches, we support every step of the journey to ensure a smooth transition.

‍

‍

Conclusion

‍

Changing agencies can feel daunting, but recognising the signs and acting decisively can unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. Whether it’s poor performance, misalignment, or a lack of transparency, the key is to identify these issues early and take steps to find a partner who truly understands your brand.

At The GO! Network, we’re here to help. With our experience, tools, and community of trusted agencies, we make the process of finding your next agency partner efficient, insightful, and rewarding.

Ready to start your search? Contact us today to explore how we can support you.