What we need now is an industry code of practice for pitch protocol.
OK, it would be voluntary but would be a valuable benchmark and would protect smaller agencies with limited resources. If an agency is in a three-way pitch for a project, how much upfront investment should it reasonably make to win the work?
Some guidelines would help. Should clients always tell the pitching agencies who else is in the competition? Should they tell agencies upfront what will be required and by when? Must they stick to that commitment or is that unrealistic?
And what about the in-house teams who choose their agency quickly and don't need a creative proposal - should they get a discount?
- Nicola Prior, Nicola Prior PR