How joining the Marketing and Advertising Global Network (MAGNET Global) benefited our Digital Marketing Agency
Starting our digital marketing agency was both exhilarating and rewarding. For myself, the initial struggle was the easy part; I tend to perform best under pressure and deadlines and we had plenty of both early on. Moving past that, we faced the new challenge of looking inward at our operations and efficiency. Fortunately, my two founding agency partners bring strengths in logistics and operations, a good balance to my controlled chaos. However, there are still areas where we lack experience, especially when comparing ourselves to big-name marketing agencies that have been around for decades.
In our formative years, we connected with a larger agency in Seattle, Copacino Fujikado (C&F). Through the process of partnering with them on a few projects we developed a strong relationship with their team and theirCEO Scott Foreman. Scott spent a lot of time taking calls from me, replying to emails, and answering questions about how to grow Intellitonic. Bless him, he really made an effort before I started wearing out my welcome.
Scott diplomatically suggested we consider joining a group that he was a part of MAGNET Global, where he served as chairman at the time. MAGNET was described to us as an international network of independently owned marketing agencies. It was known as a great place to develop rapport with a cohort of other independent marketing agency principals. We were VERY interested out of the gate, especially when the concept of MAGNET Compass Groups was explained to us. Each compass group is a small, close-knit peer network cohort that meets monthly to support each other in their growth, talk shop, and offer professional (and sometimes personal!) insights to each other. Intellitonic wanted in.
After going through the membership process (which was very rewarding with emboldening conversations and camaraderie with the folks who proctored that – shout out to Sam from Littlefield Agency – LFG!). The first MAGNET networking summit we attended was MAGNET Boston, where the theme was “The Great Reinvention”. From the moment we arrived, we were all in—hook, line, and sinker—completely captivated by the top tier marketing- and agency-focused programming. We made friends out of the gate, some of whom I chat with weekly. This event had speakers from TikTok who provided significant insights into the methodology behind their algorithms. We were enthralled by the mini ‘spark’ presentations from other agency owners and their teams, where they openly shared their successes and failures over the past year. It was an experience that left me feeling inspired and motivated.
Since that first summit in Boston, we’ve attended nearly every single event since and found a number of serious benefits of MAGNET membership, including:
Proctored training for marketing agencies
custom agency-focused educational opportunities delivered by leaders in the space
For example, Intellitonic attended a training proctored by Mirren that revolutionized Intellitonic’s sales proposal and service agreement process. Like all MAGNET’s learning opportunities, this series of trainings was geared toward marketing agency needs. For many independent agencies, ongoing training and professional development are a goal, but don’t always become a reality. As a MAGNET member, our team can gain valuable niche skill development at a price point that works for us – thanks in large part to the cooperative buying power of MAGNET agencies. The group’s cooperative buying power also makes tools and software accessible via co-op buys.
Pick the brains of marketing thought leaders
access to top minds at independent agencies worldwide
MAGNET membership opens the door A to the mindshare of not only other marketers, but owners and principals who experience a lot of the same hurdles, both professionally and personally. These agency leaders have become my allies who can shore up weaker areas in larger bids or RFP responses. During the significant vetting process for all those who are accepted, agency values and trust factors are reviewed. This means that MAGNET agencies are organizations you can trust to follow up by shared values and community connection.
Referral network growth
lean into co-pitching, subcontracting, and collaboration
While we love our SMB portfolio, one of our agency goals has been to pitch to more big-name brands. Being a MAGNET member has brought that vision to life. We now co-pitch with our fellow MAGNET agencies and get to solve interesting problems for household name brand companies. It has been a major boon (our team loves working with the brands and MAGNET agency partners!) and was totally unexpected.
Marketing expertise by region, tactic, or vertical
expand your target market and agency capabilities
Many of the agencies in MAGNET have a book of business that reflects the market of their office locations. Thanks to the trust-building within the MAGNET network, agencies find complementary ways to approach client needs in terms of geographic proximity, industry niche, and tactical specialiaztion. MAGNET agencies find themselves working in collaboration with other agencies rather than in competition.
A final major benefit that I love is that all of this happens at a WORLDWIDE scale, not just within North America. For example, an upcoming summit will be held in Paris, France, and rumor has it that we’ll be heading to Buenos Aires next, where I expect to spend quality time with one of MAGNET’s most gregarious (and dare I say handsome) members, Federico Soto Roland from NSB Agency.
Looking Ahead with MAGNET Global
Being part of MAGNET has become a point of pride. I see the incredible work our fellow agencies produce, watch my friends’ growth and successes, and feel fortunate to be part of this powerful cohort of independent agencies. Their achievements help me appreciate my own and those of my agency, Intellitonoic.
Our experience with MAGNET Global has been transformative, providing not just resources and connections, but a genuine sense of community and shared growth. We look forward to continuing this journey, leveraging the network’s expertise, and contributing to collective success. The future is bright, and as a part of the MAGNET community, we are confident we will continue to see mutually beneficial growth for our marketing and advertising agencies worldwide. Join us!
