“We’re a new marketing agency! We bring the results to you – on time, every time.” Yeah, we’ve all heard that one before. In the world of marketing, we’re constantly seeing competitors come and go. It’s good; that’s what the free market is all about. We love a good, morally sound competitor. Of course, a handful have stood the test of time like our friends at the ad agency, Innis Maggiore and digital marketing agency, Sanctuary.
Why Do Many Marketing Agencies Struggle to Last Long-Term?
Not all agencies are built the same. In my short time working in this industry and growing up around it, one trend I’ve noticed is that agencies often have a finite lifespan. At least, they do most of the time.
Agency life isn’t for everyone. It takes an immense amount of passion for the work to stay at it. It takes a love for the people and companies you’re helping to grow. It takes commitment to helping them—and your own team—achieve the lifestyles they want.
What Happens When Founders Move On?
So why does that matter? Because that fire that fuels most agencies often flows from ownership. Founders are the ones who give their all and pour their souls into their company because if they don’t, who will? Not to say that commitment is impossible without being a founder, but let’s be honest – it’s different. So, what happens when an owner finds their new passion, or when they find comfort and success in an attractive private equity deal? From what I’ve seen so far, it often leads to real challenges for both the team members and clients of the agency.
How Is TKG Different from Other Marketing Agencies?
This is where TKG hopes to be different.
We already have 28 years under our belt. Add to that the commitment of a younger generation of leaders, some family, some not, who are committed to learning, growing, forging and building the future of our agency.
In my limited experience here so far, it’s clear to me that we won’t pass our legacy, or the partnerships we’ve built, to just the “next best guy.” We’ll be passing them on to family that has been steeped in our core values of Excellence, Integrity, Partnership, Family, Community and Fun.
When we say we’re committed to long-term partnerships and growing the community of businesses around us, we mean it. Not just over the next 5 years, we are looking decades down the road.
What Does Long-Term Vision Mean for TKG Clients?
Ok, I’ve said my piece about the family business dynamic, but what does that actually mean to a customer? It provides confidence.
- Confidence that, no matter what, your partner in growth will be there for you when you need them.
- Confidence that, when agencies are being gobbled up by private equities, yours will stick around.
- Confidence that partnerships far outweigh projects.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
I’ve seen this agency change a lot in my life, and even more in the short time I’ve been working here. I still remember waiting for my dad to get home from late-night client events. Now, seeing those events on my own schedule fuels me to keep learning and growing.
It’s been incredible to watch TKG evolve. And, it's even more meaningful to see others (like Alex) here stepping into their family’s legacy too, carrying forward the same values and work ethic that built this agency back in 1997.
More Than a Business, It's a Family Vision
TKG is not your average agency, nor are we your average family company. We’re not perfect in either respect. But what we are is a family built around shared values and a vision for ourselves and our clients – personally and professionally, financially and spiritually. We’re not just focused on the next quarter; we’re focused on the next 30 years.
If you’re looking for a partner who’s here for the long haul, grounded in values and not just quarterly metrics, let’s talk.
