Why great Account Management matters.

Account Management. Often misunderstood and undervalued. And regularly poorly promoted by agencies. What exactly is it and do I need it? I can do without it, can’t I? These were questions I asked myself when working client side. I’m confident any ‘brand’ contacts in my network have asked themselves the same thing at some point too, and my ‘agency’ contacts have definitely needed to work hard to explain the role.

I thought it was well overdue a post to big up the Account Managers out there…the multi-taskers, plate spinners and team players of any agency. It’s only now I’ve spent a considerable amount of time agency-side that I really appreciate the benefits of expert Account Management.

So what exactly do these individuals do?
Well, they switch hats regularly, all day, every day.

Firstly, they are great relationship builders. Whether it be clients, suppliers, internal studio or finance teams, or managing upwards to the board, they know the right levers to pull in order to have successful relationships with these different characters and personalities.

The really great Account Managers become immersed in their client’s brand and products, developing trust and understanding both challenges and objectives. They take note of industry insights and latest trends so they can always offer an informed view.

Then there’s project management, a key part of the role. Working collaboratively with clients, creative teams, media agencies, copywriters, events staff, digital production houses…the list goes on. Utilising agency processes to manage shifting requirements and efficient delivery of fast paced briefs on time and on budget, that’s the name of the game. And often multiple projects at once. They don’t do the creative stuff but need to have a creative view.

At the start of this post I shared some questions I used to have as a client. Now I would now advise any client to ask themselves the below questions.

- Do I need a go to contact who I trust & can communicate clearly with me?
- Do I need a project management expert who will drive my project forwards?
- Do I need someone who can guarantee we complete the job on time & on budget?
- Do I want to work with someone who knows my brand, products & industry?
- Do I need someone who has the skills & knowledge to build partnerships with my media & production partners?

The answer to the above will undoubtedly be yes. If you're a brand that isn’t being cared for properly or an individual looking to join a team that values great client services, feel free to drop get in touch.

If you like the idea of joining a team like ours, whether you are from a creative, technical or client service/project management background, or even if you are new to the agency world, then just have a look at our careers page. We are always keen to talk to the right people!

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