Agency selection & governance.
Choosing an agency, and managing the relationship that follows, is one of the most consequential marketing decisions a business makes. Short Pencils provides an independent view, with no stake in the outcome.
The work spans the full arc: from defining the brief and running a disciplined search to evaluating chemistry and capability, agreeing scope and fees, onboarding, and keeping the partnership healthy over time.
The scorecard is input, not the decision.
A structured process matters: clear criteria, a fair brief, comparable proposals, and an honest evaluation. But the final choice is a leadership decision about judgment, chemistry, and the team you will actually work with.
Short Pencils helps run the process with rigour and then read it with experience, so the decision holds up. Beyond selection, the work establishes the governance, scopes, and review rhythms that keep client and agency aligned long after the pitch.
Facing an agency decision?
A senior, independent perspective can sharpen the brief, the evaluation, and the relationship that follows.
Need an independent view on an agency decision? →