Moving from Brand-Side to Agency: Finding Your Creative Edge Again

Holly Wilkinson • November 12, 2025

Why It Matters

After years working in-house, it’s easy to feel comfortable, you know your brand inside out, you’ve built solid relationships and you understand exactly how the business ticks.


But sometimes that comfort can turn into restlessness. You might miss the buzz of brainstorming new ideas, the variety of projects, or simply the thrill of working at pace. That’s when many marketers start thinking about returning to agency life.


The transition can be hugely rewarding but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here’s how to make the shift confidently and successfully.

Why Marketers Move Back to Agency Life

We see it often talented marketers who’ve spent years in-house and are ready for something faster, broader and more creatively stimulating.


The common reasons?

  • Variety – working across multiple brands and sectors keeps ideas fresh.
  • Innovation – agencies are often first to adopt new tools, channels and strategies.
  • Learning – exposure to diverse challenges helps you grow quickly.
  • Creative energy – the pace and collaboration can reignite your passion for marketing.


If you’ve missed the buzz of campaign launches, client meetings and creative collaboration, agency life might be exactly what you need.

What’s Different Day-to-Day

Moving from brand-side to agency often means readjusting to:

  • Multiple priorities – you’ll be balancing several clients and deadlines at once.
  • Fast turnaround – agencies thrive on agility; speed and responsiveness are key.
  • Client management – every conversation matters, and client satisfaction is the heartbeat of agency life.

The flip side? You’ll never be bored. Every project brings new people, ideas and opportunities to stretch your creative and commercial thinking.


Your Brand-Side Experience Is an Asset

Don’t underestimate what you bring to the table. In fact, many agencies love hiring people from in-house backgrounds because they bring a valuable client perspective.


You already know how businesses think, how to manage budgets, align marketing with commercial goals and measure real outcomes. Those insights make you more credible, empathetic and commercially aware, everything agencies want in account handlers, strategists and marketing leads.


When you can blend brand empathy with agency pace, you become a real asset.


Challenges to Expect

Be honest with yourself about what will stretch you most:

  • Pace – agencies move fast, and priorities change quickly.
  • Feedback loops – clients can be demanding, and revisions are part of the process.
  • Pressure – deadlines can be tight and expectations high.

But if you thrive on collaboration, ideas and impact, these challenges quickly become energising.


How to Prepare for the Move

✅ Show adaptability – agencies love people who can pivot fast without losing quality.
✅
Highlight collaboration – focus on how you’ve worked with cross-functional teams and external partners.
✅
Emphasise commercial outcomes – talk about campaigns that drove measurable business results.
✅
Update your knowledge – familiarise yourself with agency tools, trends and terminology.


We can help you translate your brand-side experience into language that resonates with agency leaders, focusing on the value you bring, not the gap in your experience.


Next Chapter Insight

We’ve placed countless professionals who’ve successfully made the move from brand to agency, and the ones who thrive are those who:

  • Stay curious and open to feedback
  • Enjoy collaboration under pressure
  • Bring strategic depth from brand-side, without losing creative spark



Final Thought

Moving back to agency life isn’t about starting over, it’s about reigniting your passion for creativity, variety and pace. With the right mindset and preparation, it can be one of the most exciting and career-defining moves you’ll make.


If you’re considering it, let’s talk it through. We’ll help you evaluate the fit, prepare your CV and approach the right agencies for your style and skillset.


👉 [Book a confidential career chat]

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Salary Scales
By Holly Wilkinson November 12, 2025
Why It Matters Talking about money can feel uncomfortable but it’s one of the most important parts of the hiring process. Your salary expectation sends a message: it tells an employer how you value yourself and where you see your level of contribution. Pitching it right is about balance , go too low, and you risk underselling your worth; go too high without context, and you might price yourself out of contention. Being open, informed and confident in that conversation shows self-awareness, professionalism and credibility, all qualities employers notice and respect. How to Talk About Salary with Confidence Do your homework Before the interview, research average salaries for your role, level and location. Market rates can vary significantly between agency and in-house, or between Milton Keynes and London. If you’re unsure, we can share real-time local salary benchmarks so you walk in informed. Give a realistic range It shows flexibility while setting clear expectations. If your research suggests £40k–£45k, it’s fine to say, “I’m ideally looking for something around the mid-40s, depending on the role and responsibilities.” Frame it around value, not just numbers Explain why your expectations sit where they do, link them to results, ROI, leadership experience, or specialist knowledge. For example: “I’ve managed multi-channel campaigns with £500k+ budgets, consistently delivering ROI, so I’m targeting roles around the £50k mark.” This shifts the focus from cost to contribution. Don’t undersell yourself If you say you’d “take less for the right role,” there’s a good chance you’ll be offered less. Employers typically work within budgets, not above them so set your expectation confidently and let your experience justify it. Consider the whole package Salary is important, but benefits, flexibility, progression and culture can all make a huge difference. Be ready to discuss the overall value of the opportunity, not just the pay packet. Be mindful of proof Some employers may ask for evidence of current or previous salary, such as a P60 or recent payslip. It’s not a trap, it’s part of ensuring internal parity. Just make sure your expectations align realistically with your documented history and market value. Employer Perspective Most employers set a salary range before a role goes live. If your expectations fit that window, the process moves smoothly. If they don’t, it’s better to clarify early than waste anyone’s time. And remember: once you’ve put a figure on the table, it’s rarely possible to negotiate significantly higher later so preparation really does pay off. Final Thought Salary conversations don’t need to be daunting. With the right insight and preparation, they can be empowering. Know your worth. Be honest about your expectations. And let your recruiter help position you in the best possible light, we’ll share market data, guide you through the discussion, and make sure you’re representing your value with confidence. Talk to us about salary benchmarks and negotiation advice
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By Holly Wilkinson November 12, 2025
Why It Matters Talking about money can feel uncomfortable but it’s one of the most important parts of the hiring process. Your salary expectation sends a message: it tells an employer how you value yourself and where you see your level of contribution. Pitching it right is about balance , go too low, and you risk underselling your worth; go too high without context, and you might price yourself out of contention. Being open, informed and confident in that conversation shows self-awareness, professionalism and credibility, all qualities employers notice and respect. How to Talk About Salary with Confidence Do your homework Before the interview, research average salaries for your role, level and location. Market rates can vary significantly between agency and in-house, or between Milton Keynes and London. If you’re unsure, we can share real-time local salary benchmarks so you walk in informed. Give a realistic range It shows flexibility while setting clear expectations. If your research suggests £40k–£45k, it’s fine to say, “I’m ideally looking for something around the mid-40s, depending on the role and responsibilities.” Frame it around value, not just numbers Explain why your expectations sit where they do, link them to results, ROI, leadership experience, or specialist knowledge. For example: “I’ve managed multi-channel campaigns with £500k+ budgets, consistently delivering ROI, so I’m targeting roles around the £50k mark.” This shifts the focus from cost to contribution. Don’t undersell yourself If you say you’d “take less for the right role,” there’s a good chance you’ll be offered less. Employers typically work within budgets, not above them so set your expectation confidently and let your experience justify it. Consider the whole package Salary is important, but benefits, flexibility, progression and culture can all make a huge difference. Be ready to discuss the overall value of the opportunity, not just the pay packet. Be mindful of proof Some employers may ask for evidence of current or previous salary, such as a P60 or recent payslip. It’s not a trap, it’s part of ensuring internal parity. Just make sure your expectations align realistically with your documented history and market value. Employer Perspective Most employers set a salary range before a role goes live. If your expectations fit that window, the process moves smoothly. If they don’t, it’s better to clarify early than waste anyone’s time. And remember: once you’ve put a figure on the table, it’s rarely possible to negotiate significantly higher later so preparation really does pay off. Final Thought Salary conversations don’t need to be daunting. With the right insight and preparation, they can be empowering. Know your worth. Be honest about your expectations. And let your recruiter help position you in the best possible light, we’ll share market data, guide you through the discussion, and make sure you’re representing your value with confidence. Talk to us about salary benchmarks and negotiation advice
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