Case Study: Ad Agency

Goal:

Align a divisive senior team before it’s too late.

Situation:

The agency was stumbling badly.  Business was flat and key executives wanted to quit. In a business where creative and account teams need to work together; this group was as divisive as possible.  The creative group was experienced and entrenched, while the account executives struggled to satisfy clients. Arguments raged in the hallways and the agency president had lost control.

Objectives:

• Find ways to unite the office and break down the creative and business barriers.
• Bring out the leadership qualities in the president and her key executives.
• Coach them to see where they are fighting unnecessary battles and gain capacity to stop the spats and move forward.

Strategy:

The process began with the executive team to understand the communication problems and causes of low morale.  360 interviews were then conducted with everyone on the executive team to delve deeper into the problems at the agency. It became clear that the entire office was suffering from a lack of leadership and a failure to collaborate. Team coaching for the executive team focused on communication and respect.  Individual coaching of the president focused on inspired leadership and communicating a bold new direction for the agency.

• One-on-one coaching with the Creative Director and the President of the agency focused on developing decisive leadership and creating a supportive and inspiring atmosphere.
• The Creative Director committed to meet weekly with the account services department to explain creative direction and to develop team support for ideas.
• Agency department heads have publicly committed to respectful collaboration and coaching continued to fascillitate open communication and productive problem solving.

Results:

The President stepped back into leading her organization. Her communication became clear and definitive.  She focused intensively on her senior team and morale and teamwork improved. The Account and Creative Directors found their way to a productive partnership.  New business was brought into the firm and current accounts retained.