[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":75},["ShallowReactive",2],{"i-material-symbols:language":3,"i-material-symbols:person":8,"i-mdi:instagram":10,"i-mdi:youtube":12,"i-ri:linkedin-fill":14,"i-ri:twitter-x-line":16,"i-ri:facebook-fill":18,"post-the-new-agency-growth-formula":20,"i-material-symbols:person-outline":69,"i-material-symbols:calendar-month":71,"i-mdi:schedule":73},{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":7},0,24,false,"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M8.125 21.213q-1.825-.788-3.187-2.15t-2.15-3.188T2 11.988t.788-3.875t2.15-3.175t3.187-2.15T12.013 2t3.875.788t3.175 2.15t2.15 3.175t.787 3.875t-.787 3.887t-2.15 3.188t-3.175 2.15t-3.875.787t-3.888-.787M12 19.95q.65-.9 1.125-1.875T13.9 16h-3.8q.3 1.1.775 2.075T12 19.95m-2.6-.4q-.45-.825-.787-1.713T8.05 16H5.1q.725 1.25 1.813 2.175T9.4 19.55m5.2 0q1.4-.45 2.488-1.375T18.9 16h-2.95q-.225.95-.562 1.838T14.6 19.55M4.25 14h3.4q-.075-.5-.112-.987T7.5 12t.038-1.012T7.65 10h-3.4q-.125.5-.187.988T4 12t.063 1.013t.187.987m5.4 0h4.7q.075-.5.113-.987T14.5 12t-.038-1.012T14.35 10h-4.7q-.075.5-.112.988T9.5 12t.038 1.013t.112.987m6.7 0h3.4q.125-.5.188-.987T20 12t-.062-1.012T19.75 10h-3.4q.075.5.113.988T16.5 12t-.038 1.013t-.112.987m-.4-6h2.95q-.725-1.25-1.812-2.175T14.6 4.45q.45.825.788 1.713T15.95 8M10.1 8h3.8q-.3-1.1-.775-2.075T12 4.05q-.65.9-1.125 1.875T10.1 8m-5 0h2.95q.225-.95.563-1.838T9.4 4.45Q8 4.9 6.912 5.825T5.1 8\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":9},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M9.175 10.825Q8 9.65 8 8t1.175-2.825T12 4t2.825 1.175T16 8t-1.175 2.825T12 12t-2.825-1.175M4 20v-2.8q0-.85.438-1.562T5.6 14.55q1.55-.775 3.15-1.162T12 13t3.25.388t3.15 1.162q.725.375 1.163 1.088T20 17.2V20z\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":11},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M7.8 2h8.4C19.4 2 22 4.6 22 7.8v8.4a5.8 5.8 0 0 1-5.8 5.8H7.8C4.6 22 2 19.4 2 16.2V7.8A5.8 5.8 0 0 1 7.8 2m-.2 2A3.6 3.6 0 0 0 4 7.6v8.8C4 18.39 5.61 20 7.6 20h8.8a3.6 3.6 0 0 0 3.6-3.6V7.6C20 5.61 18.39 4 16.4 4zm9.65 1.5a1.25 1.25 0 0 1 1.25 1.25A1.25 1.25 0 0 1 17.25 8A1.25 1.25 0 0 1 16 6.75a1.25 1.25 0 0 1 1.25-1.25M12 7a5 5 0 0 1 5 5a5 5 0 0 1-5 5a5 5 0 0 1-5-5a5 5 0 0 1 5-5m0 2a3 3 0 0 0-3 3a3 3 0 0 0 3 3a3 3 0 0 0 3-3a3 3 0 0 0-3-3\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":13},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"m10 15l5.19-3L10 9zm11.56-7.83c.13.47.22 1.1.28 1.9c.07.8.1 1.49.1 2.09L22 12c0 2.19-.16 3.8-.44 4.83c-.25.9-.83 1.48-1.73 1.73c-.47.13-1.33.22-2.65.28c-1.3.07-2.49.1-3.59.1L12 19c-4.19 0-6.8-.16-7.83-.44c-.9-.25-1.48-.83-1.73-1.73c-.13-.47-.22-1.1-.28-1.9c-.07-.8-.1-1.49-.1-2.09L2 12c0-2.19.16-3.8.44-4.83c.25-.9.83-1.48 1.73-1.73c.47-.13 1.33-.22 2.65-.28c1.3-.07 2.49-.1 3.59-.1L12 5c4.19 0 6.8.16 7.83.44c.9.25 1.48.83 1.73 1.73\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":15},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.94 5a2 2 0 1 1-4-.002a2 2 0 0 1 4 .002M7 8.48H3V21h4zm6.32 0H9.34V21h3.94v-6.57c0-3.66 4.77-4 4.77 0V21H22v-7.93c0-6.17-7.06-5.94-8.72-2.91z\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":17},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M10.488 14.651L15.25 21h7l-7.858-10.478L20.93 3h-2.65l-5.117 5.886L8.75 3h-7l7.51 10.015L2.32 21h2.65zM16.25 19L5.75 5h2l10.5 14z\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":19},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M14 13.5h2.5l1-4H14v-2c0-1.03 0-2 2-2h1.5V2.14c-.326-.043-1.557-.14-2.857-.14C11.928 2 10 3.657 10 6.7v2.8H7v4h3V22h4z\"\u002F>",{"postType":21,"id":22,"author":23,"date":26,"modified":27,"title":28,"slug":29,"seoTitle":30,"seoDescription":31,"excerpt":32,"trimmedExcerpt":33,"content":34,"readingTime":35,"featuredImage":36,"postCategory":42,"relatedPosts":47},"post",71866,{"id":24,"name":25},"author-0114041805230008011212","Andrew Hall","2025-11-11T20:28:39","2026-02-04T15:01:01","The new agency growth formula: How operational resilience protects profit and fuels creativity","the-new-agency-growth-formula","How Agencies Can Protect Profit and Fuel Creativity With Operational Resilience","Discover how agencies can protect profit, boost creativity, and achieve sustainable growth through digital operational resilience and DAM technology.","I spent most of my career in the creative agency world on the commercial side of the business, so I know how hard it feels to balance investment in creative talent with investment in operational technology. I’m no longer running an agency, but I’m still connected to the agency world in my current role at […]","I spent most of my career in the creative agency world on the commercial side of the business, so I...","\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I spent most of my career in the creative agency world on the commercial side of the business, so I know how hard it feels to balance investment in creative talent with investment in operational technology. I’m no longer running an agency, but I’m still connected to the agency world in my current role at Canto through the technology services we provide. In my role now, I work with hundreds of \u003Ca href=\"\u002Findustries\u002Fagencies\u002F\">agencies\u003C\u002Fa> worldwide and witness them endure the grind of deadlines, cash flow, client procurement, and talent retention. That’s why I want to share a better way to address the unique challenges today’s agencies face: building digital operational resilience.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One challenge I faced in my previous agency life — and still see in 100-500 person agencies pushing to grow — is the constant battle to protect the bottom line while chasing top-line growth. Winning pitches and landing exciting campaigns feels incredible. But poor planning, unrealistic timelines, or thin operational data can turn those wins into profit leaks and erode the creativity that won the business in the first place. Processes crumble, basic tasks drag, and a once-agile agency starts to feel slow and lumbering.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, layer in AI-driven creative. Clients expect faster turnarounds and lower costs while creative talent costs keep climbing. Balancing the books gets harder every quarter. Still, while technology puts additional pressure on agencies, it also offers a sustainable path towards growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"toc-1--a-view-from-the-vendor-s-seat\">A view from the vendor’s seat\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From my vantage point working with agencies of every size, I see the same challenges repeat across geographies and business models. The good news: wherever you operate, you’re not alone. Here are the operational themes I hear time and again:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Fragmented tech stacks and integration\u003C\u002Fstrong> debt: Agencies collect best-of-breed tools across analytics, creative ops, \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fglossary\u002Fwhat-is-martech\u002F\">MarTech\u003C\u002Fa>, and collaboration. Teams try to stitch them together for clean data flow and governance, but the work is technically complex and often stalls. When integrations slip, responsiveness slows, headcount swells, and the advantages of a connected agency fade.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Data visibility and quality:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Future-ready agencies know where profit comes from, where losses happen, and how to use operational data in billing. Yet many teams prioritize delivering standout creative and then struggle to invoice.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Commercial model misalignment:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Traditional retainers or project pricing rarely reward \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fblog\u002Fproving-digital-asset-management-roi-to-leadership\u002F\">tech investments\u003C\u002Fa> that create downstream efficiencies. Clients push for lower rates and higher KPIs. Agencies either renegotiate toward value or performance-based pricing or absorb modernization costs.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Rising cost of creative resources:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Talent costs more every year. Leaders must keep creatives focused on billable, high-value work instead of administrative minutia.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>The speed-budget gap:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Clients want faster campaigns, more agility, and constant iteration — but budgets lag. Agencies must deliver more with the same (or less) resources.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With headwinds like these, you might ask: why choose a career in the creative industry? Because creative problem-solving matters more than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AI will shift production and accelerate delivery, but it won’t replace the magic of a campaign that moves people, sparks emotion, and changes behavior. Make no mistake, great creative still wins. The job now is to balance profitability, while protecting space for creative work to thrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"toc-2--future-proofing-the-agency-business-model\">Future-proofing the agency business model\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, how do agencies set up for long-term success and balance operational efficiency, AI adoption, and creative excellence?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Any agency with more than 50 employees and real growth ambitions needs to lay the foundations of an \u003Cstrong>agency operational \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fblog\u002Fmarketing-stack\u002F\">tech stack\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>. A strong digital infrastructure lets you scale efficiently and make smarter, data-driven decisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best part: you don’t need a disruptive, expensive, slow overhaul. Focus on three connected tools — \u003Cstrong>work management, content storage, and cost estimation\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Pair these tools with disciplined change management, and you move from chaos to control and toward healthier profit margins.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Work management software\u003C\u002Fh3>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I came from the commercial side, but I’ve always respected the creative process. I still believe: the better the brief, the better the creative. Getting briefs right requires constant evaluation, learning, and refinement — and you can’t do that without a clear workflow.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Digitize the process. You gain agility, reveal the problem areas, enforce version control, capture hours, and clarify department structures. One of my biggest agency wins after digital transformation: we held data-led conversations with procurement leaders (specifically for retainer-based clients). Instead of pleading our case emotionally, we showed evidence. That shift changed the relationship dynamic for the better.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1834\" height=\"938\" src=\"\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F11\u002F11202416\u002Fagency-growth-1.png\" alt=\"Circular infographic showing how Canto integrates with tools across the content lifecycle — from creation and collaboration to analysis — illustrating how agencies build operational resilience with connected workflows.\" class=\"wp-image-71867\" srcset=\"\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F11\u002F11202416\u002Fagency-growth-1.png 1834w, \u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F11\u002F11202416\u002Fagency-growth-1-450x230.png 450w, \u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F11\u002F11202416\u002Fagency-growth-1-1024x524.png 1024w, \u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F11\u002F11202416\u002Fagency-growth-1-768x393.png 768w, \u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F11\u002F11202416\u002Fagency-growth-1-1536x786.png 1536w\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Content storage\u003C\u002Fh3>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start with work management or content storage — just don’t skip either. Optimizing workflows without an intelligent \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fblog\u002Fcontent-hub\u002F\">content hub\u003C\u002Fa> to store, find, and share output wastes time and invites errors.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fdigital-asset-management\u002F\">Digital asset management\u003C\u002Fa> (DAM) delivers one of the highest-value, fastest wins an agency can clinch. When I implemented DAM, I was immediate improvements. Nothing upset me more than watching my creative teams (my billable engine) waste their time hunting for imagery, the latest logos, or old campaigns when those \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fglossary\u002Fdigital-assets\u002F\">digital assets\u003C\u002Fa> should be easily accessible.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The instant a job kicks off, the billing clocks start to tick. Add in the chaos of lost emails, relentless client pings about delivery, pitches with incorrect brand materials, or last-minute requests to dig up historic campaigns and billable hours get sacrificed to menial work \u003Cem>fast\u003C\u002Fem>. These are the kind of roadblocks a DAM prevents. When I implemented DAM software, I saw immediate improvements: no more creatives hunting for assets, no more lost emails, no more “Where’s the file?” threads. More importantly, DAM is your first line of defense. It stops \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fglossary\u002Fbrand-management\u002F\">brand management\u003C\u002Fa> mistakes like outdated logos in pitches and answers client questions about delivery before they flood your inbox.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Connect your DAM to work management and the rest of your creative stack, and you shift from content chaos to operational clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Campaign costing, billing, and hourly rates\u003C\u002Fh3>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The third pillar: financial clarity. Many agencies we work with rely on blended-rate models, where one hourly or day rate covers all aspects of agency deliver. This approach has a place, but two common issues quickly erode its usefulness. First, when teams lack data that connects departmental costs to overhead utilization and time by discipline (think DTP vs. development or strategy), leaders can’t see true margins or overhead coverage. Second, when teams don’t have tools to build cost estimates by department — with different rates where appropriate — they default to a one-size fits all price that hides reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Connect billing and cost estimation to work management. You’ll price projects accurately, give creative teams clear guardrails to forecast available time on jobs, and equip leadership with insights into which departments generate profit and which ones leak it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"toc-3--a-brighter-operational-future\">A brighter operational future\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together, these three tools create a simple, powerful foundation for sustainable scale. Over the course of my agency , I learned the most important lesson: \u003Cstrong>operational efficiency protects your creative product\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Without the right infrastructure, growth turns painful and stressful. With it, you gain control, profitability, and room for standout work clients value most.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Canto, we help organizations build this kind of scalable content engine. I love watching prospects become customers and unlock outsized wins as they \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fglossary\u002Fdigital-asset-management-implementation\u002F\">implement our digital asset management\u003C\u002Fa> (DAM) technology and connect their content ecosystem. A first-class DAM like Canto connects your entire content world, streamlining the operational future of your agency and expanding your future potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\">\u003Ca href=\"\u002Findustries\u002Fagencies\u002F?utm_source=page_blog&utm_medium=content_cta&utm_campaign=canto_content_fy25&utm_content=page_agency_growth_formula\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"250\" src=\"\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F09\u002F02165112\u002FBest-DAM-software-solutions-for-creative-agencies_CTA.png\" alt=\"Banner graphic reading ‘Digital Asset Management for Agencies’ with an orange download button, promoting a Canto guide on how agencies can strengthen operations and protect profit.\" class=\"wp-image-71070\" srcset=\"\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F09\u002F02165112\u002FBest-DAM-software-solutions-for-creative-agencies_CTA.png 850w, \u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F09\u002F02165112\u002FBest-DAM-software-solutions-for-creative-agencies_CTA-450x132.png 450w, \u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F09\u002F02165112\u002FBest-DAM-software-solutions-for-creative-agencies_CTA-768x226.png 768w\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigure>",6,{"url":37,"url_md":38,"alt":39,"height":40,"width":41},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.canto.com\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F11\u002F11202806\u002Fagency-growth-feature.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.canto.com\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2025\u002F11\u002F11202806\u002Fagency-growth-feature-450x225.jpg","Marketing professional smiling while working on a laptop with visuals of creative assets, showing AI Library Assistant managing image versions — symbolizing agency efficiency and operational resilience.",600,1200,[43],{"id":44,"slug":44,"title":45,"path":46},"industry-insights","Industry insights","\u002Fpost-category\u002Findustry-insights\u002F",[48,55,62],{"featuredImage":49,"postId":50,"slug":51,"title":52,"description":53,"path":54},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.canto.com\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2020\u002F01\u002F19192840\u002Fheader-cumulus-to-canto-2-450x284.jpg",39201,"switching-to-canto","4 reasons why switching to Canto can be worth it","Switching to Canto cloud-based DAM can be rewarding for anyone who wants to save costs and reduce the complexity of their workflows.","\u002Fblog\u002Fswitching-to-canto\u002F",{"featuredImage":56,"postId":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"description":60,"path":61},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.canto.com\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2019\u002F10\u002F19193425\u002Fdigital-transformation-strategy-450x300.jpg",35988,"digital-transformation-strategy","3 keys to building a digital transformation strategy","A digital transformation drastically alters the way an enterprise operates. Accordingly, a digital transformation strategy takes this into consideration.","\u002Fblog\u002Fdigital-transformation-strategy\u002F",{"featuredImage":63,"postId":64,"slug":65,"title":66,"description":67,"path":68},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.canto.com\u002Fcdn\u002Fen\u002F2019\u002F02\u002F19195637\u002FCarin-Canto-hrz-crop-1600w-450x204.jpg",22044,"spotlight-story-branding-hospitality-working-remotely","Spotlight story on branding, hospitality and working remotely","Here Carin shares her inspiring journey of building hospitality brands and reveals personal experiences of working remotely.","\u002Fblog\u002Fspotlight-story-branding-hospitality-working-remotely\u002F",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":70},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M9.175 10.825Q8 9.65 8 8t1.175-2.825T12 4t2.825 1.175T16 8t-1.175 2.825T12 12t-2.825-1.175M4 20v-2.8q0-.85.438-1.562T5.6 14.55q1.55-.775 3.15-1.162T12 13t3.25.388t3.15 1.162q.725.375 1.163 1.088T20 17.2V20zm2-2h12v-.8q0-.275-.137-.5t-.363-.35q-1.35-.675-2.725-1.012T12 15t-2.775.338T6.5 16.35q-.225.125-.363.35T6 17.2zm7.413-8.587Q14 8.825 14 8t-.587-1.412T12 6t-1.412.588T10 8t.588 1.413T12 10t1.413-.587M12 18\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":72},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M12 14q-.425 0-.712-.288T11 13t.288-.712T12 12t.713.288T13 13t-.288.713T12 14m-4.712-.288Q7 13.426 7 13t.288-.712T8 12t.713.288T9 13t-.288.713T8 14t-.712-.288M16 14q-.425 0-.712-.288T15 13t.288-.712T16 12t.713.288T17 13t-.288.713T16 14m-4 4q-.425 0-.712-.288T11 17t.288-.712T12 16t.713.288T13 17t-.288.713T12 18m-4.712-.288Q7 17.426 7 17t.288-.712T8 16t.713.288T9 17t-.288.713T8 18t-.712-.288M16 18q-.425 0-.712-.288T15 17t.288-.712T16 16t.713.288T17 17t-.288.713T16 18M5 22q-.825 0-1.412-.587T3 20V6q0-.825.588-1.412T5 4h1V2h2v2h8V2h2v2h1q.825 0 1.413.588T21 6v14q0 .825-.587 1.413T19 22zm0-2h14V10H5z\"\u002F>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":74},"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M12 20a8 8 0 0 0 8-8a8 8 0 0 0-8-8a8 8 0 0 0-8 8a8 8 0 0 0 8 8m0-18a10 10 0 0 1 10 10a10 10 0 0 1-10 10C6.47 22 2 17.5 2 12A10 10 0 0 1 12 2m.5 5v5.25l4.5 2.67l-.75 1.23L11 13V7z\"\u002F>",1790398902708]