With even more frequency, the Independent Agency Search & Selection Company (IAS) is being asked by marketers to help them find agencies that are black-owned and in just 20 months, the IAS has become adept and fast at matching reputable agencies with the required credentials to those clients who use B-BBEE guidelines as a sustainable business strategy.
CEO of the IAS Johanna McDowell says that many multinational companies and local clients want to work with black-owned entrepreneurial agencies that are small to medium size, not only to improve B-BBEE scoring and adhere to procurement rules, but because these agencies are proving to be agile, highly aware of local trends and are hungry for the work and growth.
“Building our list over the last 20 months means the IAS can now provide clients with a choice of qualified agencies across all the different disciplines in the marketing, advertising and communication industry,” says McDowell. “Agencies call almost on a daily basis to be included on the list, which now comprises more than 100 agencies of all types.”
Noting a gap in the market, the IAS conceived the idea and has since been instrumental in mentoring and assisting agencies to partner with some of the world’s largest and most reputable brands using IAS services.
“The quickest route to finding the best-fit black-owned agency suitable for your business is through the IAS,” says McDowell. “It reduces the agency search process by seven weeks, which is, of course, all time and money.
“The initiative has been welcomed by marketers and the IAS has been able to get to know a host of entrepreneurs and their various experiences in business. Disciplines include creative above line, digital, design and branding, media, PR, events and activations, research, printing, merchandising and promotions,” McDowell adds.
“Making these talented agencies easily accessible has opened up huge opportunities for all IAS clients, and we hope to see more successes for the agencies themselves.”
For more information, interested parties are asked to be in contact with Project Manager and Consultant, Hlamazi Mabunda on hlamazi@agencyselection.co.za
The IAS (Independent Agency Search and Selection Company) in association with the AAR Group (UK) was founded in South Africa by the Mazole Holdings Group in 2006.
IAS specialises in client/agency relationship management and helping clients find agencies.
International associate company AAR Group, was founded more than 35 years ago in the UK and has associates and branches throughout the world.
The Independent Agency Search & Selection Company is committed to the international and local pitch guidelines as defined by both the IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising UK) and the ACA (The Association of Communications Agencies SA).
Mazole Holdings is a South African company owned 51% by Dan Moyane and 49% by Johanna McDowell.
The IAS is a level 2 BEE contributor.
