About this blog

Openmike is my idea for a discussion blog about client services and the agency-client relationship in advertising and marketing agencies. I think a lot of what we do in dealing with clients is common-sense psychology but sometimes such principles don't give us all the answers - it is the dynamics of the situation which dictate the outcome. Because of the changing nature of clients and agencies and particularly at this economic time I also think we should be reassessing how we work with clients.

I suppose why I am doing this is because I miss the creative output that writing two books gave me. Putting them together furthered my thinking in the whole area of client-agency relationships. Yet, as anyone has published a business book alongside the day-job will tell you, it is a very large commitment and I have no particular desire to go down that route again for some time. So I like the informality of a blog and the possibility to interact with others on the same wavelength – and maybe with those on different ones.

Also along the way I have been given some good advice. Other times I could have done with some to stop me making the mistakes I have. So in Openmike I will be calling on other people’s experience to answer some of the issues posed - keeping it down to earth and practical, avoiding any academic discourses and having a bit of fun. And I have my own questions – like “why are agencies programmed to make the same mistakes?”, “can we work with clients differently?” and “why do all planners at the moment seem to be called Ben?”

It is for account handlers, working on the day to day of client business and agency management, trying to fathom solutions to client issues.

So there will be a chance to ask questions, look at what’s going on and have a bit of fun at the same time.

I don’t know if people need another blog but here goes. In the meantime enjoy! And let me know your questions.