In the not-so-distant past, a brand would partner with one agency for everything. That one agency would do it all: strategy, media buying, creative, production, social, SEO, whatever you needed. One brief went in, and (eventually) a campaign came out.
But the way we market has changed. And for enterprise brands juggling product launches, platform shifts, new audiences, and real-time cultural moments. The one-size-fits-all agency model just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Today’s leading brands are building a roster of creative partners. Think: specialists for social, separate shops for brand campaigns, studios for content production, and niche agencies that understand vertical-specific needs. It’s not about more for more’s sake. It’s about finding the right partner for the right moment.
Let’s talk about why this matters and what your brand can gain when you diversify your agency strategy.
Why the Old “One-Agency” Model Doesn’t Work Anymore
The traditional agency-of-record model had its heyday. It was efficient, predictable, and made sense when marketing was primarily print, TV, and maybe some banner ads. But now? Your brand has to be everywhere (and do everything) with nuance.
Here’s where the single-agency approach starts to fall short:
Too broad, not deep enough: A jack-of-all-trades agency might deliver decent work, but rarely world-class creative across every specialty.
Slower turnarounds: Big, centralized teams can mean slower pivots and longer timelines (not ideal when TikTok trends move at the speed of light).
Creative fatigue: If one agency handles everything, the brand voice can get… stale. New perspectives = fresh thinking.
Lack of platform-native expertise: You need people who live on the platforms you're marketing on — especially for Gen Z-heavy channels like TikTok or Instagram.
One POV: Relying on one agency means betting everything on one lens, one strategy, one cultural read. That’s risky.
The reality? Modern marketing requires specialization, agility, and creativity at scale. And that’s where having a roster shines.
The Power of a Roster: Why It Works
A well-curated roster gives enterprise brands flexibility, depth, and resilience. Here’s what makes it work:
Specialization = Stronger Results
Need a killer paid social campaign? That’s a different skillset than a brand identity overhaul or an in-store experiential activation. When you partner with agencies that specialize, you get teams who eat, sleep, and breathe that niche.
More Agility, Less Bottlenecking
When one team is overloaded, deadlines slip. But with multiple partners in play, you can move faster, shift priorities, and run parallel campaigns without sacrificing quality.
Creative Cross-Pollination
Different partners = different ideas. When done right, a multi-partner approach sparks innovation by blending varied perspectives, industries, and voices.
Better Resource Allocation
Instead of paying one agency to do everything (including things they may not excel at), you can distribute your budget to maximize ROI. You might invest big in a seasonal brand campaign while tapping a leaner team for evergreen content.
Platform-Native Thinking
The tone, cadence, and strategy for TikTok is wildly different from YouTube Shorts or B2B LinkedIn content. When you bring in specialists, you get creators and strategists who know what works (and what doesn’t) on each channel.
When It Makes Sense to Build a Roster
This approach isn’t just for the Nikes and Pepsis of the world. A roster model works particularly well for:
- Enterprise and high-growth brands with complex marketing needs
- Teams juggling multiple product lines or regional markets
- Brands scaling internationally or entering new verticals
- Companies leaning into content-heavy channels like TikTok or YouTube
- Marketers who want to test bold creative approaches without overhauling everything
In short: if your marketing strategy spans more than a few channels or tactics, a roster helps you scale without stretching your teams too thin or burning out one agency.
What This Looks Like IRL: Brands That Get It Right
SKIMS
Kim Kardashian’s shapewear brand has leaned into a multi-partner strategy from the jump. From high-concept campaign shoots (often with boutique production teams) to hyper-targeted paid media partners and buzzy collabs with creative studios, SKIMS builds momentum through tight, specialized teams that move fast and flex based on drops.
Glossier
While we’ve covered Glossier before, their early rise was a case study in roster-thinking. One agency for packaging, another for digital UX, and a rotating list of creative teams for campaigns allowed them to move at the pace of their community (without getting creatively boxed in).
Liquid Death
The water brand turned cultural disruptor? They’ve worked with multiple creative shops for campaigns, stunts, and collabs, choosing based on concept, audience, and cultural relevance. It’s part of what makes each touchpoint feel unexpected (and why their work rarely misses).
Alo Yoga
Alo has built a hybrid internal and external model. With in-house teams running content and community, they also tap outside agencies for influencer partnerships, IRL event strategy, and global campaign development.
Tips for Managing a Roster of Creative Agencies
More partners = more moving parts. Here’s how to keep it smooth:
Start With a Strategic Foundation
A clear brand strategy and creative vision are essential. You need internal alignment so your agency partners are rowing in the same direction (even if they’re in different boats).
Use Clear Briefs, Every Time
Whether you're sending a brief to one agency or five, clarity is king. Be specific on goals, deliverables, timelines, and what success looks like.
Designate Internal Owners
Each agency should have a clear point of contact internally. That person should own communication, approvals, and feedback streamlining the process for everyone.
Encourage Collaboration, Not Competition
Agencies aren’t always used to working with other agencies. Set the tone. Foster open communication and shared wins to avoid territorialism.
Invest in Relationship Building
Creative work is better when trust is high. Make time for kickoff calls, casual check-ins, and mutual feedback. Great partnerships fuel great output.
How to Build the Right Roster (Without the Headache)
Building a multi-agency team sounds good until you’re juggling contracts, pitches, meetings, and onboarding across time zones and calendars. That’s where Breef comes in.
Using Breef to centralize your agency search can help you:
- Discover vetted teams specialized for every marketing need
- Compare proposals and portfolios side-by-side
- Manage multiple scopes in one place
- Keep things moving without drowning in back-and-forth emails
Pro tip: Think of your roster like a band. You don’t need five lead singers. You need a drummer, a guitarist, a bassist, and someone who shreds on creative direction.
Final Thoughts
Modern marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all, and your agency strategy shouldn’t be either.
By curating a roster of specialized partners, enterprise brands can get the best of every world: sharper creative, faster execution, and better alignment with the platforms, audiences, and trends that matter.
Yes, it requires a little more orchestration. But the upside? Smarter campaigns, better ROI, and a brand that shows up across channels with clarity, consistency, and creativity.
Ready to rethink your agency strategy? Get started by booking a call with a Marketing Strategist to find your dream team, one creative partner at a time. 🚀
