We know the signs. Your Slack channel’s gone quiet. Your inbox is filled with vague status updates and “performance still pending” reports. Your once-optimistic campaign? A slow drip of disappointing metrics. If your current agency isn’t delivering, it’s frustrating and it’s costing you time, money, and momentum.
So let’s talk about it. Here’s how to know if your agency is missing the mark, what to do about it, and why re-evaluating that relationship could be the best thing you do this year.
Does Something Feel Off?
Sometimes it’s not a huge failure that sets off alarms. It can be a feeling. Something’s… off. Maybe performance has plateaued. Maybe the creative isn’t bad, it’s just meh. Maybe you’re doing all the follow-up while wondering what exactly you’re paying for.
You’re not alone. Over 50% of marketers say generating leads is their biggest challenge, and if your agency isn't actively solving that problem, they may be part of the problem.
Signs Your Agency Might Be Missing the Mark
Let’s break down some red flags worth paying attention to:
🚩 You’re Not Seeing Results
Whether it's lead gen, ROAS, brand growth, or conversions, your KPIs matter. If your agency can’t show real progress (and we’re not talking vanity metrics), it’s a major concern. As Neil Patel warns, agencies that focus on visibility without aligning with business goals often deliver low ROI.
🚩 Reporting Feels... Fuzzy
If reports are hard to understand, delayed, or only surface when you ask, transparency may be lacking. Good partners tell you what’s working and what isn’t. No smoke, no mirrors.
🚩 Communication Is Inconsistent
Slow replies, vague updates, or account managers constantly changing. It's a slippery slope. According to Portent, poor communication is one of the top reasons brands walk away from their agencies.
🚩 Strategy Isn’t Evolving
If it feels like your agency is still running last quarter’s playbook, you’re stuck. A great partner adapts, tests, and refines, not just reuses.
🚩 You’re Doing More Work Than You Should
Are you chasing deliverables? Brainstorming campaign ideas solo? Giving multiple rounds of feedback? That’s a problem. You hired an agency to lighten the load, not add to it.
Why It’s Worth Re-Evaluating Your Agency Partner
Even if your agency isn’t outright failing, it might not be fully fueling your growth either. Sometimes the issue isn’t what’s going wrong, it’s what’s not happening at all. Stagnant strategies. Missed opportunities. Underwhelming results. When that’s the case, it’s time to take a step back and ask: Are we getting what we really need?
Case in point: A wellness brand realized their clinical-focused positioning wasn’t connecting with a wider audience. Through Breef, they partnered with a brand agency that helped refresh their identity and reposition their product for the wellness market leading to a modern, engaging brand with measurable traction across channels.
Re-evaluating your agency is about unlocking the kind of partnership that pushes your brand forward creatively, strategically, and measurably.
What to Do When Your Agency Isn’t Delivering
You’ve spotted the signs. Now what? Don’t panic! Just get proactive. Here’s your action plan:
🔍 Audit the Current Scope and Results
Start with what you do know: review your contract, scope of work, and KPIs. What’s actually being delivered vs. what was promised? Are results being tracked and communicated clearly?
Use this to ground your conversation and set expectations for improvement.
📞 Have the Hard Conversation
Open up the conversation. Share your concerns directly and give your agency the opportunity to respond. A good partner will want to course-correct; a bad one will get defensive or vague.
Tip: Set a 30- to 60-day re-evaluation window with clear benchmarks.
📊 Get an Outside Perspective
Whether it’s a consultant, your internal team, or another agency, bringing in a fresh perspective can help clarify the problem. Are you asking the right questions? Is the strategy fundamentally flawed? Outside audits can help decode the mess.
✍️ Document Everything
Keep a record of what’s been said, promised and delivered throughout your partnership. This documentation helps ensure accountability and provides clarity if you ever need to renegotiate or transition to a new agency.
🔁 Start Exploring New Partners (Just in Case)
Even if you don’t jump ship immediately, start looking. Explore what other options are out there, compare capabilities, and see what a better-aligned partner could bring to the table.
Want a shortcut? Breef matches you with vetted agencies based on your exact needs, from TikTok content to performance media to web design, so you can find the right fit the first time.
Find the Right Marketing Agency Partner with Breef
Sometimes, the agency you started with isn’t the one that can take you to the next level. That’s okay. The best brands know when to pivot, upgrade, and find better alignment.
At Breef, we’ve helped thousands of companies do just that. Whether you're coming off a rough retainer or just want something more modern, nimble, or strategic, we’ve got a vetted network of creative and marketing agencies that actually get it.
👀 Curious? Post your brief and let’s find your next great partner → Book a demo call today. 🤝
TL;DR: When to Ditch the Dead Weight
If your agency isn’t delivering:
- Trust your gut (and your KPIs).
- Communicate clearly, but don’t wait forever.
- Start exploring better options before things get worse.
- And if you’re ready to upgrade? We know someone. 🤝
