40 senior marketers were asked about their agency relationships, and 39 said different versions of the same thing: the model they're working with no longer fits what they need.

They're not alone. A WFA poll found that almost 50% of global brands say their agency rosters and commercial arrangements aren't fit for current or future needs.

At the same time, creators, cultural businesses and AI-native practices are now winning work that once went to agencies.

Marketers have more options than ever, but good help has never been harder to find.

This Lightning Lecture with Amar Chohan, founder of the Department of Creative Affairs tackles this problem. 

By the end of this 20-minute interactive session, you'll have:

  • The 6 shifts reshaping the agency market, and what each one means for how you build your team and choose partners.
  • A vetted shortlist of independent agencies for every challenge you submit. Submit as many real challenges as you like, anonymously and for free, then contact the agencies directly or save them for later.
  • A route to agencies you'd likely never have found. Search engines, LLMs and listings sites tend to bury independent agencies. DCA shortlists use AI-powered matching and human judgment to bring them forward.

Why attend

  • An early look at new research. Hear findings from Terra Incognita before the report is published, from someone who has spent years analyzing the agency market from every angle.
  • Free, fair shortlisting. Ask a search engine or an LLM for an agency and you get whoever spends most on self-promotion. Listings sites add fees. DCA shortlists cost you nothing.
  • 20 minutes, start to finish. Market insight and practical takeaways you can act on this quarter.

Your speaker

Amar Chohan, Founder and CEO, Department of Creative Affairs

Amar is founder and CEO of the Department of Creative Affairs. As managing director of Contagious, the London-based creative and strategic intelligence firm acquired in 2023 by the owner of Cannes Lions and WARC, he ran operations worldwide as part of a board-level turnaround team. He has also been CRO at Moonshoot and is an investor in AMA.

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