See the impact
The Challenge
A leading retail bank moved from a mostly insourced agency model to a fully outsourced one. Over time, this led to loss of control, rising costs, and declining internal capability — with the sense that all strategy and execution had been handed to the agency. Partnering with AAR, the bank launched a three-year transformation programme across people, partners, process, and platforms to regain control and drive efficiency.
Deliverables
AAR conducted a comprehensive audit of the existing agency model across all Business Units and Centres of Excellence, identifying key capability and operational gaps. The team reviewed a range of briefs to assess quality and effectiveness, held stakeholder interviews and workshops, and completed a full commercial audit of agency rates to identify cost-saving opportunities.
Additional work included a HoldCo safari to explore best-in-class models, evaluation of alternative structures for better integration and simplification, and the definition of a GenAI strategy to embed AI at the heart of future operations.
Impact
The programme delivered alignment on the true state of the agency model — with the recognition that “It’s us, not them.” The result: a simplified, more efficient model with GenAI embedded, redesigned briefing and planning processes, and renewed internal capability for sustainable marketing excellence.
The Challenge
A leading retail bank moved from a mostly insourced agency model to a fully outsourced one. Over time, this led to loss of control, rising costs, and declining internal capability — with the sense that all strategy and execution had been handed to the agency. Partnering with AAR, the bank launched a three-year transformation programme across people, partners, process, and platforms to regain control and drive efficiency.
Deliverables
AAR conducted a comprehensive audit of the existing agency model across all Business Units and Centres of Excellence, identifying key capability and operational gaps. The team reviewed a range of briefs to assess quality and effectiveness, held stakeholder interviews and workshops, and completed a full commercial audit of agency rates to identify cost-saving opportunities.
Additional work included a HoldCo safari to explore best-in-class models, evaluation of alternative structures for better integration and simplification, and the definition of a GenAI strategy to embed AI at the heart of future operations.
Impact
The programme delivered alignment on the true state of the agency model — with the recognition that “It’s us, not them.” The result: a simplified, more efficient model with GenAI embedded, redesigned briefing and planning processes, and renewed internal capability for sustainable marketing excellence.
