One thing I loved about working at a large agency was the huge scale of clients. Walmart, McDonald’s, and AirBnb are just some of the clients I had the opportunity to work with at the firm I interned with recently. However, there is a different issue that comes with huge size: not being able to see all aspects of operation. At an intimate agency like Viktor Kilo, our current clients are start-ups and small-to-mid-sized businesses, but we get to see every part of the operation process. From web development to design to social media, the whole team is on board each step of the way. Not only does this help everyone learn a little bit about everything, but it also makes for more cohesive work.
Another thing I love about working at a boutique agency is the opportunity to get to know everyone at the agency. At Viktor Kilo, I met everyone at the company on the first day of on-boarding. At a large firm, it would be impossible to do that in a year, let alone in one day. This gives me the chance to get to know my co-workers on a deep level, which is so beneficial to our teamwork and project outcomes.
A final positive comment I can say about boutique agencies is the level of personal help our team gives each client. Every member of our team is involved on client status calls, and we listen intently to all of our clients concerns and comments. I believe working so closely with our clients creates a great environment for smooth processes and content creation, and guarantees that the work we’re putting out is the exactly what they want. On the other hand, however, smaller size may mean less extensive resources. At a global agency, one would have access to a network of media contacts, outsourced designers and developers, and expensive software programs. At a boutique agency, resources are prioritized, and we are more creative in achieving recognition and results.
While I think large communications firms have so much to offer, boutique agencies have their own niche advantages that make all the difference for various sizes of businesses–from start ups to large and mid-sized clients. As an intern, I love the feeling of community and cohesion at a boutique agency, and feel like I’m making the most of my time here in terms of client interactions, content creation, and real-world experience. Overall, the needs of every company and person is different, and there’s sure to be an agency or firm that is the perfect fit for you.
