Why is your agency shit?

Most agencies aren't trying to rip you off.

They're just playing a different game.

And that's where brands get caught out.

Here's what this actually means:

Your goal is growth.

Their goal might be to increase ad spend.

Or keep you on a monthly retainer.

Or fit you into a process that works for most clients, not necessarily your business.

It's not always malicious.

But the incentives aren't aligned.

This week on Upside, Ali and Zamir unpack why so many agency relationships fail and what brands should be looking for instead.

Not from theory.

From years of hiring agencies, firing agencies, running brands, and now working alongside them.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why cookie-cutter strategies rarely deliver real growth

• The incentive problem most agencies won't talk about

• The questions you should ask before signing any contract

• The biggest red flags (and green flags) to look out for

• Why the right partner should feel like an extension of your team and not another supplier

One takeaway really stood out:

If an agency says they can grow a 3.4-star product without fixing the product itself... walk away.

Because great marketing can't solve a bad product.

And honest partners will tell you that.

We've seen this before.

Brands jump from agency to agency, hoping the next one will be different.

But they keep asking the wrong questions.

The better approach?

Find a partner whose incentives are aligned with yours and who isn't afraid to tell you when you're wrong.

If you're working with an agency, thinking about hiring one, or wondering whether you're actually getting value for money...

This episode is worth your time.

One love,

Ali & Zamir

Watch the full episode here 👇

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