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Why a small agency is the best fit for you
December 15th, 2021
When it comes to making the most of opportunities in a post-COVID world, you’ll want to work with an agency who truly ‘gets’ your value proposition, and is deeply invested in driving the best return possible. Ideally, they would also be tourism gurus, digital specialists and highly agile, with a track record of working with other people just like you.
But have you ever thought about the size of the agency itself, and how this might impact your success?
Big isn’t always better in the world of tourism marketing. In fact, with the prevalence of the gig economy – where outsourcing work is helping to replace smaller internal marketing teams – smaller agencies tend to drive better results.
The Maverick Digital team numbers 12 people, so you could say we might be a little bias. But we’re also at the coalface of seeing the impact a smaller team has on the accounts we work on.
Here are ten reasons why a small, independent agency is the most appropriate fit for everyone from corporate tourism companies to owner-operators.
1. They care
With so much on the line, smaller agencies go over and above – all day, every day. They’re thoroughly invested in a successful outcome because they’re genuinely passionate about seeing the client thrive. To a big agency, another client is, well, just another client. To somebody smaller, every client is worth celebrating.
2. No BS
In tourism, we like it when someone tells it like it is. Boutique agencies tend to avoid the super tech speak and just tell it straight. There’s no doubling the length of conversations while halving their meaning.
3. No red tape
Bureaucracy is the Kryptonite of innovation. When you move away from a larger agency, you remove the red tape, and you create a climate of out-of-the-box thinking and a culture of ‘just get on with it’.
4. Flexibility
Small agencies are adaptable, flexible and lean. If a client asks for something to be done – it just gets done! There are no operational protocols or endless processes to assign resources to a task.
5. Seamless collaboration
If you have a smaller marketing team (or you’re making the most of the gig economy), a more petite agency tends to collaborate and integrate far better than a large one can. Your Account Manager is likely to become an honorary part of your team.
6. Value for Money
It’s no secret larger agencies have bigger rate cards for their services – which is mostly because they have bigger overheads. Smaller, more nimble agencies can offer a more attractive budget because they don’t have so many layers of hierarchy. You’re also more likely to see decent ROI from a small team that is personally invested in a good outcome.
7. Less sales-y
Every agency needs to make money – obviously. But smaller agencies don’t tend to be consumed by numbers. The bottom line doesn’t dictate every strategy and action like it does with a larger agency. There is a genuine love and excitement for the work that’s being done.
8. Transparency
When you sit down with a smaller team, what you see is what you get. In larger agencies, it’s common for the Performance team to have nothing to do with the Delivery team, whereas with a smaller agency, collaboration and transfer of information is the norm. A client tends to know exactly what they’re going to get from the very first meeting – creating a sense of trust and accountability from day 1.
9. Relevance
Moving quickly to make the most of current opportunities – especially when they are changing so quickly – has never been more important. The day the lockdowns were announced, we were on the phone to every client; pausing ad campaigns and updating websites. Point made.
10. Great things come in small packages
You don’t need to work with a huge agency to deliver work with huge impact. A small, agile and passionate team has the potential to make a massive difference – and you’ll likely see better bang for buck along the way.
#MAVERICKTOURISM
Throwback Thursday to our tourist takeover at the B:HIVE for Halloween last month 👻 We may work in tourism, but this year, we took the role seriously and dressed up as stereotypical (and scarily-realistic!) tourists: Hawaiian shirts, cameras in hand, and snapping photos at every chance we got!
#Tourismindustry #DigitalMarketing #BooHive #Halloween2024
Throwback Thursday to our tourist takeover at the B:HIVE for Halloween last month 👻 We may work in tourism, but this year, we took the role seriously and dressed up as stereotypical (and scarily-realistic!) tourists: Hawaiian shirts, cameras in hand, and snapping photos at every chance we got!
#Tourismindustry #DigitalMarketing #BooHive #Halloween2024
📢 One week to go until Destination: Digital - The Playbook kicks off, and this is your LAST chance to secure a spot at Aotearoa`s only conference dedicated to tourism marketers!
The buzz is building, and the final tickets are flying out the door. Don`t just take our word for it - check out what last year`s attendees had to say 👇
Get ready for game-changing insights from expert industry thought-leaders, and interactive practical workshops to set you up for success in 2025. It`s all taking place at the @bhivenz in Auckland next Tuesday, 3rd December.
🎟️ Grab your tickets before they`re all gone: link in bio!
#TourismMarketing #NZmarketing #MarketingEvents #TourismIndustry
📢 One week to go until Destination: Digital - The Playbook kicks off, and this is your LAST chance to secure a spot at Aotearoa`s only conference dedicated to tourism marketers!
The buzz is building, and the final tickets are flying out the door. Don`t just take our word for it - check out what last year`s attendees had to say 👇
Get ready for game-changing insights from expert industry thought-leaders, and interactive practical workshops to set you up for success in 2025. It`s all taking place at the @bhivenz in Auckland next Tuesday, 3rd December.
🎟️ Grab your tickets before they`re all gone: link in bio!
#TourismMarketing #NZmarketing #MarketingEvents #TourismIndustry
Final chance to grab an Earlybird ticket for Destination: Digital 📣
On our ‘From Insight to Impact’ panel, you’ll hear from data-driven decision makers Rachel Howie (RealNZ), Shaun Fitzgibbon (TRA), and Sarah Britton (nee Short) (Tourism New Zealand), who’ll bring a diverse range of perspectives on how you can leverage data to shape marketing strategies, identify emerging trends, and build high-impact campaigns.
As NZ’s only conference dedicated to tourism marketers, it’s a day all about equipping our industry with the latest tactics and techniques for your digital toolboxes. Now all that’s missing is you - see you on Tuesday December 3 (the day prior to TEC Xmas Symposium) at the B:Hive in Auckland. Grab an earlybird ticket before 5pm today 👉 link in bio.
Final chance to grab an Earlybird ticket for Destination: Digital 📣
On our ‘From Insight to Impact’ panel, you’ll hear from data-driven decision makers Rachel Howie (RealNZ), Shaun Fitzgibbon (TRA), and Sarah Britton (nee Short) (Tourism New Zealand), who’ll bring a diverse range of perspectives on how you can leverage data to shape marketing strategies, identify emerging trends, and build high-impact campaigns.
As NZ’s only conference dedicated to tourism marketers, it’s a day all about equipping our industry with the latest tactics and techniques for your digital toolboxes. Now all that’s missing is you - see you on Tuesday December 3 (the day prior to TEC Xmas Symposium) at the B:Hive in Auckland. Grab an earlybird ticket before 5pm today 👉 link in bio.
After just 8 months of dazzling us all with her epic energy, enthusiasm and quick learning; our superstar PT, @emi.cross, has been promoted to our Digital Performance Executive and we couldn`t be prouder! 🚀
From navigating the tourism industry to crafting Google and Meta campaigns, Emi has truly embraced the world of paid media like a pro 👏👏👏
#Promotion #DigitalMarketing #TourismIndustry #NZ
After just 8 months of dazzling us all with her epic energy, enthusiasm and quick learning; our superstar PT, @emi.cross, has been promoted to our Digital Performance Executive and we couldn`t be prouder! 🚀
From navigating the tourism industry to crafting Google and Meta campaigns, Emi has truly embraced the world of paid media like a pro 👏👏👏
#Promotion #DigitalMarketing #TourismIndustry #NZ
As our trip down Maverick memory lane continues, we`re shining a light on the highlights of 2020 and 2021. It was the years that a certain large global event threw a few surprises into the mix - and when our mantra quickly became Keep Calm and Carry On.
While international borders were closed, domestic demand remained strong and we worked alongside clients to encourage Kiwis to explore their big backyards.
We ran free weekly webinars to offer tips, tricks and tactics to the industry to pivot and drive conversions from the domestic market - and we shared our Maverick magic with tons of tourism businesses as part of the Qualmark Digital Capability programme.
🔒 Lockdowns (remember those?!) brought us together online
🐳 We kicked off our partnership with Destination Kaikōura
👩✈️ We dressed up as Top Gun fighter pilots for our team photoshoot
🌲 We climbed new partnership heights with Redwoods Treewalk
🛶 Team day saw us paddle to Rangitoto and enjoy a sunset BBQ
We all have our memories of the pandemic years - and for us, working hard to help our clients survive and thrive was a real source of pride.
Looking back, this time was key in building our resilience and agility - and helping to lay the foundations for next chapter of Maverick (more on that next week!)
#nztravel #digitalmarketing #tourismbusiness #workanniversary
As our trip down Maverick memory lane continues, we`re shining a light on the highlights of 2020 and 2021. It was the years that a certain large global event threw a few surprises into the mix - and when our mantra quickly became Keep Calm and Carry On.
While international borders were closed, domestic demand remained strong and we worked alongside clients to encourage Kiwis to explore their big backyards.
We ran free weekly webinars to offer tips, tricks and tactics to the industry to pivot and drive conversions from the domestic market - and we shared our Maverick magic with tons of tourism businesses as part of the Qualmark Digital Capability programme.
🔒 Lockdowns (remember those?!) brought us together online
🐳 We kicked off our partnership with Destination Kaikōura
👩✈️ We dressed up as Top Gun fighter pilots for our team photoshoot
🌲 We climbed new partnership heights with Redwoods Treewalk
🛶 Team day saw us paddle to Rangitoto and enjoy a sunset BBQ
We all have our memories of the pandemic years - and for us, working hard to help our clients survive and thrive was a real source of pride.
Looking back, this time was key in building our resilience and agility - and helping to lay the foundations for next chapter of Maverick (more on that next week!)
#nztravel #digitalmarketing #tourismbusiness #workanniversary
As we continue reflecting on a decade of Maverick, today we`re throwing it back to 2019 - a year filled with fun, adventures, and a bit of mischief.
This was the year we kicked off our first themed photoshoot in goofy bowling whites, #justbecause!
We had an epic team day at @ecozip_adventures, zipping through the trees then using their awesome conference facilities to plan world domination.
2019 also saw Tim and Alex heading down to Rotorua to onboard @offroadnzrotorua - just look at Tim sizing up that impressive 7-metre drop on their awesome 4WD Bush Safari product 😱 Five years on and we`re still proud as punch to work with Ian, Carol and the team.
To top it all off, we threw a fabulous birthday bash to mark five fantastic years in business with some of our favourite tourism friends. Time flies when you`re having fun! 🙌
#nztravel #digitalmarketing #tourismbusiness #workanniversary
As we continue reflecting on a decade of Maverick, today we`re throwing it back to 2019 - a year filled with fun, adventures, and a bit of mischief.
This was the year we kicked off our first themed photoshoot in goofy bowling whites, #justbecause!
We had an epic team day at @ecozip_adventures, zipping through the trees then using their awesome conference facilities to plan world domination.
2019 also saw Tim and Alex heading down to Rotorua to onboard @offroadnzrotorua - just look at Tim sizing up that impressive 7-metre drop on their awesome 4WD Bush Safari product 😱 Five years on and we`re still proud as punch to work with Ian, Carol and the team.
To top it all off, we threw a fabulous birthday bash to mark five fantastic years in business with some of our favourite tourism friends. Time flies when you`re having fun! 🙌
#nztravel #digitalmarketing #tourismbusiness #workanniversary
Today, we’re reminiscing about 2018 – a real milestone year for Maverick! 🌟 2018 saw us kick off our partnership with the legendary @hobbitontours, an absolute business highlight. Collaborating with such an iconic operator brought our passion and know-how for tourism marketing to life in a whole new way. 2018 was also the year we were lucky enough to add Kelly Hookey to the team – six years later, Kel is one of our longest-serving Mavericks and leads our powerhouse Performance team.
#DigitalMarketing #ThrowbackThursday #WorkAnniversary #NZbusiness
Today, we’re reminiscing about 2018 – a real milestone year for Maverick! 🌟 2018 saw us kick off our partnership with the legendary @hobbitontours, an absolute business highlight. Collaborating with such an iconic operator brought our passion and know-how for tourism marketing to life in a whole new way. 2018 was also the year we were lucky enough to add Kelly Hookey to the team – six years later, Kel is one of our longest-serving Mavericks and leads our powerhouse Performance team.
#DigitalMarketing #ThrowbackThursday #WorkAnniversary #NZbusiness
Today we’re throwing it back to 2014, where Maverick’s journey began 🌍✈️ After working at Tourism New Zealand, Founder Alex Dykman left for an OE in South America – collaborating with a bunch of awesome kiwi operators on all things marketing along the way. Curating digital strategies, social media plans and paid media campaigns in between exploring the Galapagos Islands and hiking in the Andes – now that’s work/life balance😉
After returning home, Alex set up Maverick Digital officially, and the rest is history. From humble beginnings to helping tourism smash digital in New Zealand, the USA, Canada and the South Pacific - we’re celebrating a decade in business! Here’s to many more years of innovation and adventure in tourism marketing.
#maverickturns10 #tourism #newzealand #marketing #throwbackthursday
Today we’re throwing it back to 2014, where Maverick’s journey began 🌍✈️ After working at Tourism New Zealand, Founder Alex Dykman left for an OE in South America – collaborating with a bunch of awesome kiwi operators on all things marketing along the way. Curating digital strategies, social media plans and paid media campaigns in between exploring the Galapagos Islands and hiking in the Andes – now that’s work/life balance😉
After returning home, Alex set up Maverick Digital officially, and the rest is history. From humble beginnings to helping tourism smash digital in New Zealand, the USA, Canada and the South Pacific - we’re celebrating a decade in business! Here’s to many more years of innovation and adventure in tourism marketing.
#maverickturns10 #tourism #newzealand #marketing #throwbackthursday
Cheers to an epic Hospitality New Zealand conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch 🥂
#conference #networking #hospitality #wearemaverick
Cheers to an epic Hospitality New Zealand conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch 🥂
#conference #networking #hospitality #wearemaverick
We can whip up a Google Ad, witty caption or SEO audit - easy peasy 🍋
Turns out us Mavericks can whip up a pretty tasty feast too! 👩🍳
@maincoursenz #teambonding #cookoff #masterchef #teamday #wearemaverick
We can whip up a Google Ad, witty caption or SEO audit - easy peasy 🍋
Turns out us Mavericks can whip up a pretty tasty feast too! 👩🍳
@maincoursenz #teambonding #cookoff #masterchef #teamday #wearemaverick
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