Connect with execs from The New York Times, TIME, Dotdash Meredith and many more

It’s often heard in the industry that agencies are in danger of being left behind. The typical case has three core, interlinked parts: 1. agencies aren’t that innovative; 2. the lack of innovation inhibits them from attracting the right talent; and 3. clients have ceased to look at agencies as critical partners.
That was the bill of particulars I put to Digitas CEO Colin Kinsella and Havas Digital Co-CEO Anthony Rhind in a session titled “Evolve or Die” at the Monaco Media Forum. Kinsella and Rhind gave full-throated denials (for the most part) of the three factors afflicting agencies. In fact, both made the case that things couldn’t be better in the agency business.
“Advertising is growing, agencies are growing,” Kinsella said. “It’s getting more complex out there, and clients have to go to an agent to help them master that complexity. It’s never been better to be an agency.”
Rhind believes measurability is helping agencies prove their worth. “It’s a very exciting time to be an agency,” he said.
See the full session for the case they make.
More in Marketing

Generative AI sparks brand safety concerns marketers know all too well
Despite concerns around brand misuse and IP, most marketers are sticking to traditional strategies.

‘Production is a big topic right now’: With AI moving beyond media, Publicis turns toward creative
The holdco is positioning AI as core infrastructure for ad production not just media buys.

Instagram offers a new guide to advertisers to convince them to try out its creator marketplace
The 26-page document aims to make the whole process quick and painless.