I’ve been on my account an embarrassingly long time to not know much about our financials. What should I know to be able speak to it properly?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

If you say “client with a $xx budget” or “$xx spend” you are referencing the total dollars that client is putting into their marketing ... so inclusive of agency fee+ third party production $ + third party paid media

If your agency manages/services all three of those things that would be the same number as your agency’s “total Billings $” to that client.

Some agencies talk in terms of total Billings.
Some talk in terms of Agency Fee only (at least internally) so that language can vary agency to agency.

If your agency doesn’t manage media, for example, your client’s total spend would not be entirely with your agency, so your Billings would be less than their total spend.

Of your agency’s Billings, remember only a portion of that is Fee to your agency. A big chunk is pass through, typically with no mark-up (meaning your company doesn’t make money on the pass through).

likehelpful

Thank you, all good info. I became curious bc I heard the other day that a smaller client we have actually nets more profit than ours—they spend a lot but the also cost a lot. Feels like an odd spot to be in but I do love production time

So, consistent with what you’re allowed to say (agencies vary on their NDA policies) you’re actually on the right track with all those descriptions—if the client is reported to be an $XX million advertiser, that’s the basic yardstick (the bit about capitalized billings is really a way to talk about agency earnings, not client spending). Now if you’re wondering what that means in dollars to your agency or in the outside world, that’s a different story. For the former, you’d have to be privy to the agreement with the client including what the retainer covers and what happens when they land a new scope on you guys. For the other, that’s generally gauged in comparative terms—Geico, at a reported spend of $1.52B is clearly the leader, with Progressive at a relatively modest $800M, the respectable but distant runner up. But again, in order to know how much either company’s agencies actually make off all that, you’d need a window on the contract. Having said all that, I’d say you def get street cred for having a leadership role on productions at that scale. Add that to being trusted on the agency’s biggest, and you have a good story to tell.

like

Thank you that is very helpful!

...it’s a retainer client who adds on projects and productions throughout the year as well. I know our biggest productions are around 1-2M. Do I speak in terms of Billings? Budgets? Campaigns?

Lots of ways to slice and dice — but what’s the context you’d want to speak to? As in: client is an $XX annual advertiser; they spend $XX in measured media; I’ve worked on productions with budgets up to $YY; or something else? Are you mostly trying to tell people about the relationship, is it more about your involvement in large productions (as a way to support your own credibility), are your trying to gauge the relative value of the client to your agency, or just looking for the right questions to ask?

Well, it’s the agency’s largest client, how would I quantify that? I always hear “it’s a x-million dollar account” type language but not sure what that number refers to typically, and then also, would a general average of production costs be a relevant thing to mention in the context of explaining my experience with productions? The client is a very large but regional brand, and I’m thinking about how to describe my experience to places outside the state who might not know the company

Related Posts

like

Would like to move into business development and marketing role at a law firm but not sure what my resume should look like. Can anyone recommend someone that specialises in resumes?

Thoughts on ETSY?

like

How much should I ask for when being promoted to CD. What is a 1st time CD making? (Some bg info: International awards, multiple pitch wins during the pandemic, work entered in 2021 shows as well)

like

Guys the amazon is burning for 16 days and no one is doing anything about it. We have the power of communication but feel helpless right now. We need to use our knowledge for good What could we do??

Kobe IX Elite Low “Beethoven” - 🎹

Post Photo
like

HCB layoffs on the horizon

like

Heard second lottery results are coming out? Anyone heard from D immigration team? I know they are super slow

Hi all,
I have an 14 yrs of experience in testing .out of which 10 yrs in automation testing.Looking for an immediate job.
Please refer me.

like

Hi,

I have the following offers currently, please suggest which should I join:

Qualcomm (Banglore) : 15L fixed, 4.5L JB
Paytail (Gurgaon): 17L fixed, 2L JB

Note that paytail is a startup but the cost of living is less than compared to banglore

like

Can you dice/chop onions and not tear up? If so, how many till you tear up?

Hey guys. Can you provide me with any recommendations of practice modelling cases.

like

need advice.

I have been working in an interim role as a portfolio manager. I was promised that the role would be mine. However, after doing the job for 2 months, I have been advised that we might not get the funding for the role and I might not get the raise and the title but my responsibilities will be the same.

Its a political minefield.

How should I back out elegantly that I need to be compensated fairly and competitively from this mess without burning any bridges

We all know that

Post Photo
likefunny

What was your worst / most pathetic experience with recruiters (external or HR?) ?

like

Hi,
I have my joining in OFSS mumbai in Oct.
But haven't received any onboarding mail.
Will it be online offline.
Can recently joined folks comment.
I have received Start date mail.
Thanks

like

Are there any circumstances in which the giftee would pay to gift tax? I thought no, but I am now hearing there are situations where that would be the case. Can anyone with experience clarify?

like

MBA hire into Microsoft MCAPS, 126k base 85k stock 50k bonus standard package for all interns in this org, good deal?

like

What’s the coolest data solution you have delivered? The industry is getting a little predictable and some inspiration is always welcome.

like
likeupliftinghelpfulfunny

Additional Posts in Creatives

Opinion on hook studio in la?

like

How to know whether agency’s expecting too much or you need to step it up? Ex: Told to provide four unique, presentation ready logo designs in 4 hrs.

like

Sometimes I feel totally unproductive at the office and know that I’ll get more work done later at home. Am I the only one orrrr?

like

Is working outside of your contracted hours exploitation?

I have a real issue with this industry guilt tripping anyone who decides to leave on time to instead pursue their hobbies.

like

What are your tips for getting going on sites like Upwork? I’ve got a fully filled out profile (as much as you can without any existing reviews, etc) but haven’t been getting any bites.

Is there another site for this sort of freelance work that I should look at instead?

like

Any freelance creative teams in the Tampa area?

like

Recruiter: “freelance team wanted for huge opportunity at award-winning agency.”


The awards:

Post Photo
funnylike

First review is tomorrow and I’m trying to score a raise. I know I’m below industry average and I’ve been doing solid work – what’s the best way to angle for a raise or bring it up? Thanks!

like

Got to CD level for being a good creative, trying to get better at the managerial part. Any good books / resources about how to effectively lead and push the teams that work under me?

like

Which are the best magazines for our industry? Creativity? Creative Review? Clio Muse?

likehelpful

Why do I work somewhere that makes me drop everything to work on a campaign idea that the presidents 10 year old daughter thought of

likefunny

I just completed two rounds of interviews at Accenture Interactive. I’m excited about the opportunity. Anyone work there willing to share their opinions re: culture, WLB, career growth, pay/comp vs competition?

like

In the midwest, talking to a small agency. If I take a FT role and possibly move in a few months, wondering if they’d be open to me staying on remotely. Everything’s been remote for them for a while anyway and will likely continue to be. Any thoughts on how to approach this scenario? Want to do right, but don’t want to be overly precautious either.

like

I am reaching out on behalf of CTMconnects to let you know that we are impressed with your work experience and think that you would be a great fit for a few copywriter positions that we are looking to

funnylike

My agency wants creatives to use canva from now on. These are some slides from a presentation we received justifying why (made in canva, of course). I wish this was a joke...

Post Photo
funnylikesmart

What is the best way to accept a promotion and then negotiate a higher salary?

like

What’s your most valuable advice when it comes to presenting your work?

like

What’s the dumbest name for an agency you’ve ever heard?

like

Hi there. Any fellow Illustrators out there? What are you working on and what are your thoughts on the current landscape?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal