27.03.2025

When your in-house marketing team needs backup: Five signs it’s time to bring in agency support

You’ve got a talented in-house team, a solid strategy, and plenty of ideas. But somewhere along the way, your to-do list keeps growing, results are harder to track, and that wish list of big-picture campaigns keeps getting bumped down the queue. Sound familiar?

Many growing marine brands hit a point where internal capacity, not ambition, becomes the limiting factor. It doesn’t mean your team isn’t doing a great job – it means your marketing is evolving, and it might be time to bring in some backup.

It’s not about replacing – it’s about reinforcing

Let’s be clear: agency support shouldn’t replace your in-house team. In fact, the best partnerships happen when agencies act as an extension of your existing team – bringing fresh perspective, sector-specific expertise, and additional capacity to execute at pace.

When done right, agency collaboration takes pressure off your team and helps everyone focus on what they do best.

Five signs you’re ready for agency support

Here’s how to know your in-house team could benefit from a strategic partner:

1. You’ve outgrown your capacity

Your team is juggling brand, digital, PR, content, and internal comms – and still can’t keep up. Campaigns are going live late (or not at all), and burnout is creeping in.

2. You’re stuck in execution mode

There’s no time to zoom out and look at the bigger picture. Strategy, analysis, and innovation fall by the wayside.

3. You need deep sector knowledge

Generalist experience is no longer enough. You need partners who understand the marine industry – the channels, the audiences, and how the market really works.

4. You’re struggling to show ROI

You’re doing the work, but it’s hard to measure impact. An experienced agency brings proven frameworks, reporting tools, and accountability.

5. Opportunities are being missed

Award submissions. Media features. Strategic partnerships. Thought leadership. These growth drivers are slipping through the cracks simply because there’s no time.

What a good agency partnership looks like

A good agency doesn’t take over – they plug in where you need them most. That might be:

  • PR support during launch season
  • Content creation that matches your tone and pace
  • Strategic input to guide campaign planning
  • Sector-specific media outreach

And if you’re in the marine industry, an agency with deep sector connections can open doors that generalists can’t.

 

Need a sounding board? We’re always happy to talk through whether agency support makes sense for your team – and how we can fit into what you’ve already built.

Let’s chat about what you’re working on.

 

 

ADPR Account Director Chris Penfold

Chris Penfold

Account Director

Chris brings 15 years of strategic PR experience to the team, including specialisms in travel and tourism, hospitality and event management.

In his role as Account Director, he is responsible for developing engaging and meaningful communication strategies for his clients. Chris also leads the agency’s own PR and marketing, integrating traditional and digital activations, alongside the agency’s growth ambitions.

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