Why Sprint Partners?
The marketing communications landscape is in a state of flux, with new technologies, shifting consumer behaviours, and economic pressures reshaping the way we work. After years of leading agencies and brands across multiple global markets, here are the 10 key insights that form the foundation of Sprint Partners.
10 Founding Insights
1. Limited Time & Headspace For Strategic Thinking
In today’s hyper-competitive market, the role of senior leaders is increasingly stretched. A 2023 study by Deloitte found that 77% of executives report feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their roles, with 69% stating that they struggle to find time for strategic thinking due to daily operational pressures. This cognitive overload hampers creativity and long-term planning, sometimes leading to reactive rather than proactive decision-making. At Sprint Partners, we alleviate this burden by providing expert guidance that frees leaders to focus on high-impact, strategic initiatives.
2. Increased Margin Pressure Across the Board
Marketing budgets have been shrinking of late, even as the demand for ROI grows. According to the IPA Bellwether Report, UK marketing budgets saw a net decline in 2023, reflecting broader global trends. Agencies are squeezed between the need to innovate and be more cost-conscious. This margin pressure necessitates a more flexible approach to cost and staff management. Sprint Partners offers scalable consultancy solutions that adapt to client needs, allowing them to optimise their operations without compromising on quality or creativity.
3. The Need For Fresh, Unbiased Perspectives
Leadership can become insular over time, with long-tenured executives sometimes struggling to see beyond the established paradigms of their organisations. Harvard Business Review notes that external perspectives can dramatically improve decision-making and innovation by challenging entrenched assumptions. Sprint Partners injects this fresh thinking, drawing on a wealth of cross-sector experience to provide a tailored response to each client’s challenge.
4. The Importance Of Plugging Skill Gaps Effectively
No leader can be an expert in every facet of their business. The most effective leaders recognise the value of surrounding themselves with specialists who complement their skills. A 2023 report by Korn Ferry emphasises that leaders who embrace a collaborative approach with external advisors are 45% more likely to exceed their performance targets. Sprint Partners excels in identifying and filling these skill gaps, ensuring that our clients have the expertise they need to succeed.
5. The Imperative To Embrace Generative AI
The time to adopt generative AI is now. The competitive advantages it offers – such as the ability to generate personalised content at scale, predict consumer behaviour more accurately, and optimise marketing spend in real-time – are becoming critical differentiators. Gartner predicts that by 2025, AI will be a key factor in the success of 75% of marketing campaigns, underlining the urgency for agencies and brands to embrace this technology.
6. Aligning Creativity With Commercial Objectives
One of the most persistent challenges in marketing communications is balancing creativity with commercial imperatives. According to a study by the IPA, campaigns that effectively align creative execution with business objectives are 12 times more likely to deliver positive ROI. Sprint Partners excels at helping agencies and brands find this balance, ensuring that their creative output drives both brand equity and commercial success.
7. Finding & Retaining Senior Expertise
The war for talent has intensified, particularly at the senior level. McKinsey’s 2023 research highlights that 82% of companies face significant challenges in attracting and retaining skilled professionals. Moreover, the cost of hiring top-tier talent continues to rise, creating a dilemma for agencies that need diverse skill sets but cannot afford to expand their payrolls significantly. Sprint Partners addresses this challenge by offering clients access to a network of seasoned experts, providing high-level skills on a flexible basis.
8. The Risk Of Investment Hires
To drive growth, agencies often make substantial investments in full-time hires, but these decisions are fraught with risk. A single misstep can lead to significant financial strain, especially in a volatile market. According to PwC, 65% of executives report that their most recent major hire did not meet performance expectations. Sprint Partners mitigates this risk by offering a modular approach to expertise, allowing agencies to scale up or down as needed, without the long-term financial commitment.
9. Enhancing Client Relationships & Retention
Client retention is critical in today’s competitive market, yet many agencies focus disproportionately on new business acquisition. Research by Bain & Company indicates that a 5% increase in client retention can lead to a 25% to 95% increase in profits. Sprint Partners helps agencies enhance their client service models, fostering stronger relationships that lead to higher retention rates and, consequently, greater profitability.
10. Adapting To Remote & Hybrid Work Models
The shift to remote and hybrid work has permanently altered the agency landscape. However, many organisations are still grappling with how to maintain culture, collaboration, and productivity in this new environment. A Gartner survey from 2023 found that 73% of organisations struggle with sustaining employee engagement in remote settings. Sprint Partners helps agencies adapt their operations to thrive in these new work models.