In our series covering the very best of client-agency relationships, clients RecOps sit down with technical creative agency Pixel8 to discuss the key to mutual success, and reflect on their brand-agency relationship so far.

This interview includes responses from Will Bahra, Founder of RecOps, and Sarah Lowry, Senior Digital Marketing Manager at Pixel8.

RecOps came to GO! after the strategic direction of the business completely changed, influenced by market forces. RecOps developed a brand new product to penetrate an existing niche market and needed guidance on how to achieve new business goals. 

After a competitive pitch process, Network member Pixel8 were appointed to take on the challenge. We caught up with Will Bahra, Director at RecOps, and Sarah Lowry, Senior Digital Marketing Manager at Pixel8, to discuss the project requirements, the key to a successful relationship and any challenges they may have come across so far.

GO!: WHAT KICKED OFF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN AGENCY?


Will, RecOps: The strategic direction of the business completely changed, influenced by market forces. We developed a brand new product to penetrate an existing niche market and needed guidance on how to achieve new business goals. 


GO!: WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE BRAND AND THEIR REQUIREMENTS?


Sarah, Pixel8: Our first impressions were that this is an ambitious client who knows what they are doing. Will came to us knowing the audience he wants to target, where they are, who they are and what they want. Most importantly, he knew exactly how his product provides a solution for his audience. 


GO!: WHAT WAS THE BRIEF YOU WENT OUT TO MARKET WITH?


Will, RecOps:  The requirements for this project were to find someone who is reliable and honest. The agency would also need to have knowledge of B2B marketing, in particular developing LinkedIn strategies. 

READ: MUTUAL SUCCESS - IMPRESSION AND ABIGAIL AHERN


GO!: WHY DID YOUR CURRENT AGENCY PARTNER WIN THE BRIEF?


Will, RecOps: We had a very honest and transparent conversation. They told me that it’s going to be a long process to penetrate a brand new market and I was pleasantly surprised that they hadn’t tried to mislead me with big figures and numbers. 


GO!: WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE BRAND AND THEIR REQUIREMENTS?


Sarah, Pixel8: Showing how our relationship with our clients can really help the entire process and alleviate any concerns. It was also important to demonstrate our entire strategic process for building a research-driven customer journey that will deliver results. We find that showing upfront a 6 month plan with key dates, reporting and optimisation touch points really helps our clients work with us as a partnership. 


GO!: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN THE RELATIONSHIP?


Will, RecOps: Singing from the same hymn sheet first and foremost as well as having regular contact and communication centered around an open conversation. 


Sarah, Pixel8: Outlining clear objectives so that each side knows where they are up to and what they have to deliver.

READ: MUTUAL SUCCESS - THE BEST OF BRAND/AGENCY RELATIONSHIPS


GO!: HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED ANY CHALLENGES ON THE PROJECT SO FAR? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?


Will, RecOps: Not so far - it’s been relatively straightforward. There has been a challenge in understanding the market because it’s so niche and has been demanding work. 


Sarah, Pixel8: It has been challenging to build a value proposition to take to a new market as you have no past data to work from. This is why we have included reporting touch points in our strategic plan so that we can regroup and optimise in order to use the budget as efficiently as possible. 


GO!: WHAT’S THE MOST VALUABLE PART OF WORKING ON THIS PROJECT WITH THE BRAND?


Sarah, Pixel8: We are launching RecOps in a brand new market, so seeing that first spike of interest in a brand we’ve helped build is truly rewarding.

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