Comments on: How Much To Pay Your Advertising Agency? http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/ Build Success through Smart Marketing! Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:30:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Laura http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/comment-page-1/#comment-416 Laura Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:19:04 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/#comment-416 "Start bargaining AFTER the advertising agency has delivered the final piece of work." Sadly enough, I'm sure that this happens all too often. It happens to writers too ... “Start bargaining AFTER the advertising agency has delivered the final piece of work.”

Sadly enough, I’m sure that this happens all too often. It happens to writers too …

]]> By: Jef http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Jef Sun, 11 Mar 2007 10:16:22 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/#comment-22 Perhaps it is too sweeping for me to say this but the creative environment in Singapore does not support the creative business. I say this as a failed entrepreneur who has given up fighting against a value system that is blamed entirely on a government who has helped in no small measure, in crafting these values. It's strange how at some point, it is more worthy to do creative work for a foreigner than your own people or your own kind. Creative ideas have been de-valued because they are not seen as asset-worthy investments but a cumbersome expense. I've once had a client bargain me out of S$20. Yet I don't see how I could do the same at her restaurants (Chinese Feasts, Chongqing Hotpot etc) and at the same token, how she could do the same with her Issey Miyake dress (that quite frankly would outrage Mister Miyake if he ever saw it on her). But what are we to do when it is the state that is nothing short of hypocritical by championing the cause of "the lowest quote" when it comes to treating their vendors and yet paying themselves a grotesquely high salary? Soon enough, this twisted mentality will filter down to the lowest ranks of society. That's why we get shit service and shit-ugly visual communications all over the country. Quite frankly, let's compare Singapore with other more sophisticated societies (see Tokyo, Sydney, New York, London etc) where strict pricing rates and creative professionals' rights are protected. Singapore has proven itself to be a place that is very unsuited for the creative-minded, at least, those who intend to make a decent living. I've often joked about being a real prostitute than to end up as a "designer-whore" to unruly clients because there was a lot more dignity in the former. I've changed my mind now: only because I don't think I am as attractive anymore. Perhaps it is too sweeping for me to say this but the creative environment in Singapore does not support the creative business. I say this as a failed entrepreneur who has given up fighting against a value system that is blamed entirely on a government who has helped in no small measure, in crafting these values. It’s strange how at some point, it is more worthy to do creative work for a foreigner than your own people or your own kind. Creative ideas have been de-valued because they are not seen as asset-worthy investments but a cumbersome expense. I’ve once had a client bargain me out of S$20. Yet I don’t see how I could do the same at her restaurants (Chinese Feasts, Chongqing Hotpot etc) and at the same token, how she could do the same with her Issey Miyake dress (that quite frankly would outrage Mister Miyake if he ever saw it on her).
But what are we to do when it is the state that is nothing short of hypocritical by championing the cause of “the lowest quote” when it comes to treating their vendors and yet paying themselves a grotesquely high salary? Soon enough, this twisted mentality will filter down to the lowest ranks of society. That’s why we get shit service and shit-ugly visual communications all over the country. Quite frankly, let’s compare Singapore with other more sophisticated societies (see Tokyo, Sydney, New York, London etc) where strict pricing rates and creative professionals’ rights are protected. Singapore has proven itself to be a place that is very unsuited for the creative-minded, at least, those who intend to make a decent living. I’ve often joked about being a real prostitute than to end up as a “designer-whore” to unruly clients because there was a lot more dignity in the former. I’ve changed my mind now: only because I don’t think I am as attractive anymore.

]]> By: vivienne http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/comment-page-1/#comment-19 vivienne Sat, 10 Mar 2007 05:47:23 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/#comment-19 Remember the fable of "The Pied Piper"? The townsfolk (client) wanted something done. Got the Pied Piper to do work, but refused his due payment upon completion. As the tale tells it, he got his revenge. In modern commerce, revenge comes in the form of compensation after due process (arbitration or legal duress). Seriously, who got time for this when it is a few hundred bucks? So, what can you do? Choose who you work with carefully, consider their ability and willingness to pay, to work out a favourable outcome to all, without anyone at an unfair advantage. Easy to say, tough to do. Remember the fable of “The Pied Piper”? The townsfolk (client) wanted something done. Got the Pied Piper to do work, but refused his due payment upon completion. As the tale tells it, he got his revenge.
In modern commerce, revenge comes in the form of compensation after due process (arbitration or legal duress). Seriously, who got time for this when it is a few hundred bucks? So, what can you do? Choose who you work with carefully, consider their ability and willingness to pay, to work out a favourable outcome to all, without anyone at an unfair advantage. Easy to say, tough to do.

]]> By: Felicia Tan http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Felicia Tan Fri, 02 Mar 2007 02:50:04 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/#comment-12 Yes, I totally agree with Vivienne. I was once a graphic designer myself. Once, someone showed me 2 rather similar artworks that cost $50 and $200 respectively. What's the difference? To the client, paying $50 is great as he can get the same or equipvalent work of $200 job done. That's where he is WRONG. Behind these 2 artworks, the $50 artwork need lots touch up, clean up and etc before it is ready to print. However, the $200 artwork need not. And who does this dirty work? Probably the printer who does not want to screw up on the job. Or if you got an inrresponsible printer, they will just get it print and point finger later at the designer. So the question is, do you want to play with fire and take such risk? Yes, I totally agree with Vivienne. I was once a graphic designer myself. Once, someone showed me 2 rather similar artworks that cost $50 and $200 respectively. What’s the difference? To the client, paying $50 is great as he can get the same or equipvalent work of $200 job done. That’s where he is WRONG. Behind these 2 artworks, the $50 artwork need lots touch up, clean up and etc before it is ready to print. However, the $200 artwork need not. And who does this dirty work? Probably the printer who does not want to screw up on the job. Or if you got an inrresponsible printer, they will just get it print and point finger later at the designer. So the question is, do you want to play with fire and take such risk?

]]> By: gobbs http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/comment-page-1/#comment-11 gobbs Thu, 01 Mar 2007 15:46:45 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/#comment-11 For the benefit of creative bargain hunters who 'chiong' for CREATIVE EXCELLENCE at the LOWEST RATES within the FASTEST TURNOVER, and seriously believe coming out with an effective design piece is as straightforward as a quick poo in the toilet or a few mouse clicks at the computer, consider this: You PAY creative people, NOT JUST for the PRETTY GRAPHICS. Just as one would PAY a plastic surgeon to have he/her botox or nose done. you PAY creative people for their experience, their set of skills and expertise, creative vision and insights, to sell your product and service, to uplift your brand image. Ultimately, to arrive with the INNOVATIVE IDEAS that MAXIMIZE your marketing effort. On a lighter note: Creative people do not merely exist to compensate for anyone's lack of artistic talent. Creative people need money for chiropractor and the best dark eye-circle remover in town after years of bending backward and making clients look good if not GREAT! For the benefit of creative bargain hunters who ‘chiong’ for CREATIVE EXCELLENCE at the LOWEST RATES within the FASTEST TURNOVER, and seriously believe coming out with an effective design piece is as straightforward as a quick poo in the toilet or a few mouse clicks at the computer, consider this:

You PAY creative people, NOT JUST for the PRETTY GRAPHICS. Just as one would PAY a plastic surgeon to have he/her botox or nose done. you PAY creative people for their experience, their set of skills and expertise, creative vision and insights, to sell your product and service, to uplift your brand image. Ultimately, to arrive with the INNOVATIVE IDEAS that MAXIMIZE your marketing effort.

On a lighter note:
Creative people do not merely exist to compensate for anyone’s lack of artistic talent. Creative people need money for chiropractor and the best dark eye-circle remover in town after years of bending backward and making clients look good if not GREAT!

]]> By: Melly http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Melly Thu, 01 Mar 2007 11:17:42 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/#comment-10 Yeah i say the gem lies in the simplicity of an ad/artwork. And to get to that takes alot. To trash out the fancy, to ignore beating around the bush, to attract the right people, to simply, make it work without too much fireworks. That is the price you're paying for. Yeah i say the gem lies in the simplicity of an ad/artwork. And to get to that takes alot. To trash out the fancy, to ignore beating around the bush, to attract the right people, to simply, make it work without too much fireworks. That is the price you’re paying for.

]]> By: Gwee Wei Wei http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Gwee Wei Wei Thu, 01 Mar 2007 10:32:51 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/#comment-9 i've had incredulous scenarios whereby the client wanted to pay $100 for their ad after viewing my portfolio and loving what they saw. Another tried to slashed my fee down by 50% after the budget blew due to their indecision. Another blew up on me after their printer screwed up on colour cos they weren't wanting to pay a little bit more for my production experience and not understanding the production process which I have expertise in. Now one tells me they have to reprint due to spelling errors ON THEIR SIDE like a hyphen on a word THEY CREATED and expects me to pay for it. Creative people are really exploited. It's unfortunate that none understands the amount of work for 3 lines (weight of line, colour of line, placement of lines and the concept behind the lines), a picture (digitally enhanced, airbrushed, cleaned up, cropped) and some words (what words, why, what font, what size where to place and how big). It's really not that simple. i’ve had incredulous scenarios whereby the client wanted to pay $100 for their ad after viewing my portfolio and loving what they saw.

Another tried to slashed my fee down by 50% after the budget blew due to their indecision.

Another blew up on me after their printer screwed up on colour cos they weren’t wanting to pay a little bit more for my production experience and not understanding the production process which I have expertise in.

Now one tells me they have to reprint due to spelling errors ON THEIR SIDE like a hyphen on a word THEY CREATED and expects me to pay for it.

Creative people are really exploited. It’s unfortunate that none understands the amount of work for 3 lines (weight of line, colour of line, placement of lines and the concept behind the lines), a picture (digitally enhanced, airbrushed, cleaned up, cropped) and some words (what words, why, what font, what size where to place and how big). It’s really not that simple.

]]> By: Ken Chee http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Ken Chee Wed, 28 Feb 2007 01:30:05 +0000 http://www.versacreations.net/advertising/9/how-much-to-pay-to-your-ad-agency/#comment-8 Well said. Pay Peanut and Get Monkeys. Cheers Ken Chee www.kenchee.com Well said. Pay Peanut and Get Monkeys.

Cheers
Ken Chee
http://www.kenchee.com

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