How to Vet a Creative Agency: What Smart Developers Ask Before Signing
Choosing a creative agency isn’t just a hiring decision—it’s a partnership that can shape how your project is perceived for years.
At Fresh Powder, we've seen developers stuck with bloated agencies who wowed them in the pitch and ghosted them in execution. We've also seen lean firms deliver magic because they understood the mission.
Here’s how to separate the real partners from the pitch artists.
1. Ask About Process, Not Just Portfolio A flashy case study means little if it doesn't reflect how the agency works day-to-day. Ask them:
Who will actually work on my account?
How do you structure strategy, creative, and execution?
What does a typical timeline look like?
2. Evaluate Chemistry and Curiosity The best agencies ask great questions. If you’re doing all the talking in a discovery call, be wary.
3. Dig Into Category Experience—But Don’t Be Overly Rigid Yes, experience in real estate helps. But so does perspective. Sometimes the best creative comes from someone who sees your category with fresh eyes.
4. Understand Their Definition of Success Do they obsess over awards or audience engagement? Do they understand that branding a place means uniting storytelling, stakeholder politics, and community perception?
5. Check Their Follow-Through Talk to past clients. Ask not just about what was delivered, but how. Did the agency overpromise? Did they meet deadlines? Did they elevate the client’s thinking?
Fresh Powder POV: A good agency makes your project look good. A great agency makes your project make sense.
Conclusion: Vetting an agency is about protecting your vision. Take your time, ask the right questions, and partner with people who know how to shape not just what your project looks like—but how it will be remembered.
