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Why use Haystack?
The number of agencies is constantly growing. There are over 4,000 agencies in the UK that can provide advertising, design, direct marketing, sales promotion, digital & web, CRM, PR, and brand development expertise. Finding an agency to suit your needs requires in-depth understanding of the constantly changing industry landscape and can be both time consuming and costly.

At Haystack we have the knowledge and expertise to help you find the perfect match, with speed and precision.

The Haystack Group can help you through every aspect of the pitch process, undertaking everything from developing the Marketing Plan; reviewing your current resources through to developing the long/short lists and negotiating the agency fee - let us run the process so that you and your team can focus on the result.

How can I create a long list of agencies that meet my requirements without being inundated with agencies and the press?
There are three ways to search for the right agency using Haystack's services:

1. Using the search function on this site.
This site has details for over 1500 marketing communications agencies on it. Simply identify the search criteria that you want to use and the database will bring up a list of appropriate agencies. The search is completely confidential and can be done in a matter of minutes. Or if you would like further support through the process, call us and we will help. Confidentiality is key to our business.

2. Use the Pitchfork service online to request a bespoke credentials disc.
We'll collate info on all the agencies you've selected and send you a disc together with guidelines on how best to run a pitch and how to anticipate and manage some of the hurdles along the way.

3. Contact Us
Contact us to talk through your needs with one of our specialist consultants and we will prepare a bespoke list of agencies that meet your specific needs or we can run the enitre pitch on your behalf if you would prefer. We will consider any relevant agencies and NOT only those in our database.

How do I search for an agency online?
Our unique search engine is simple but effective to use. It helps you to rapidly look at agencies that meet your requirements. By simply tapping in the criteria by which you want to search, the database will present relevant agencies and prioritise those that best match your requirements.

Can I keep a search?
The search criteria that you have used can be saved, so that the next time you want to do an agency search you can use the same criteria and find the most up-to-date data on the companies that match.

What information do you have on agencies?
Agencies that subscribe to the site provide us with all the facts on their company including a client list and examples of their creative work that you can view online. In addition they respond to a number of key questions that provide you with a more in-depth insight into the agency. A link to their website allows you to view more about the agency.

If the agency does not subscribe to the Haystack website, only a basic overview is provided including relevant contact details.

* We provide full details and web links for subscribed agencies only.

Can I contact the agencies?
Yes, each agency profile contains contact details. You can call or e-mail them directly or via The Haystack Group if you'd prefer for your company to remain anonymous at this stage.

How many agencies do you have on the site?
Including the non-subscribed agencies, there are over 1200 agencies listed on the site.

Can any agency be represented on the site?
Mostly yes. However, we take the integrity of the information we provide very seriously. If an agency consistently fails to update their site presence or leaks confidential information about our clients, we will remove them from both the website and our contact list.

Having completed my search I recognise I need help through the pitch process, can you help?
You may need extra help through the pitch process or require support in reviewing your existing relationships. We have a number of consultants who work on any aspect of the pitch process, this includes:

• Development of the Marketing Plan
• Agency requirement brief
• Bespoke long list/short list
• Pitch process design and support
• Fee negotiation

We are often asked to work with existing client/agency relationships. Our consultancy may include:

• Existing agency(s) audit
• Existing agency liaison/review
• Fee revision negotiation

My staff need training in effective marketing communications - can you help?
We offer bespoke brand communication workshops for client companies, together with, or without, your chosen agency resource. We focus on all aspects of marketing communication and make extensive use of sample materials, role reversal exercises and guest speakers. For further information about our Marketing Fluency Workshop format and how it might work for you, please contact us.

How does the Haystack consulting service work?
We provide you with detailed intelligent insight into agencies and how to get the best out of working with them. We are constantly reviewing agencies and understand their strengths and weaknesses. Timing is always tight which is why we get to know agencies prior to recommending them to you so that we can match your needs to their specialism.

Who pays?
This website allows clients FREE access to our agency database. We also offer clients that subscribe, access to certain tools which may help them select and manage agency resource more efficiently. If they require more specific consultancy support we will charge our normal consultancy rates. Once we have discussed requirements, we can give an idea of the fees involved. Agencies pay us to display their profile on our website. Those that do not subscribe may still be listed but will not have a complete profile. If you would like one of our consultants to contact you please click here.

What about confidentiality?
Confidentiality is extremely important to us. We will not tell the agencies who you are unless you allow us to. However, we also know from experience that when we are conducting an agency search - or any form of relationship, the more information we can provide about your business, the better the response from the agency. We ensure agencies sign confidentiality agreements and we will not work with agencies that cannot abide by these rules.

What do I do now?
Sign up now and use our search facilities to help you find an agency. Alternatively call or email us for consultancy support. Either way, the Haystack Group will help you find the right agency partner.