Ten Mandates Of Account Management

Guest AuthorJuly 26, 20111 min

Guiding Principle: Advertising Agencies win new business on creative — ideas that build client businesses. Advertising Agencies lose it on relationships. Having shared that, account managers would be wise to consider these 10 mandates:

1. Select clients carefully. Target list.

2. Treat your client as your best new business prospect. Walk the halls.

3. Take a proprietary interest in the health of your client’s business.

4. Get agreement on strategy.

5. Give your clients ideas they didn’t ask for. Take initiative.

6. Build bridges at multiple levels. Pay attention to juniors.

7. LISTEN.  Take notes. Confirm in writing. Deliver!

8. Treat the client’s money as your own.  Put the client’s interest first.

9. Deal with issues, not people. Never badmouth a client.

10.  Make friends with your clients. Hard to fire a friend.

Contributed to Branding Strategy Insider by: Kenneth Roman, former Chairman of Ogilvy & Mather and author of “The King of Madison Avenue:  David Ogilvy and the Making of Modern Advertising.

The Blake Project Can Help: The Brand Positioning Workshop

Branding Strategy Insider is a service of The Blake Project: A strategic brand consultancy specializing in Brand Research, Brand Strategy, Brand Licensing and Brand Education

FREE Publications And Resources For Marketers

Guest Author

2 comments

  • Emma

    July 27, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    Great list.

    I would add to that – make your client look good, at all times. A way to get them to like you and come to depend on you for their own job security.

  • Polina Kudryahova

    July 28, 2011 at 10:11 am

    Treat the client’s money as your own – I suppose it’s a crucial point.

Comments are closed.

Connect With Us