The findings from The Great Pitch Poll 2026 paint a clear picture of the pressures facing agency business development teams today. 📊 73% have considered leaving the advertising industry because of pitch-related stress. 📊 81% have seriously considered changing jobs because of business development pressure. 📊 70% say they or someone they know has become ill or taken sick leave because of pitching. Yet there are reasons for optimism too. More agencies are investing in wellbei

We’re pleased to see our CEO, Marcus Elliott Brown, among the contributors to the latest IPA Bellwether Q2 2026 commentary, joining fellow leaders from across the marketing and communications industry to share their perspectives on the outlook for growth. Thank you to MediaShotz and Mark Johnson for bringing together such a diverse range of voices. Read the full article: #IPABellwether #Marketing #AgencyGrowth #BusinessDevelopment #TheGreatPitchCompany

That was the question at the heart of a fantastic discussion during COMvergence's 10th Anniversary Conference, where our CEO, Marcus Elliott Brown, had the pleasure of moderating an outstanding panel featuring Thomas Jamet, Thomas Le Thierry d'Ennequin, Ali Reed and Gene Turner. The conversation explored how independent agencies are redefining growth through agility, entrepreneurial thinking, closer client partnerships and a more purposeful approach to AI, while also recognis

The latest findings from The Great Pitch Poll UK are now featured in Campaign, highlighting the growing impact of pitch pressure on agency people. The research reveals a profession under increasing strain, with rising levels of stress, burnout and concern over the sustainability of current new business practices. It also highlights the increasing pressure created by AI-driven demands, while recognising the importance of positive wellbeing in delivering successful pitches. If

Winning Ways: Business Development Strategies to Win More and Waste Less! We're delighted to be partnering with the Independent Agency Network (IAN), the South African division of the Alliance of Independent Agencies, to deliver this complimentary 30-minute masterclass for independent agencies. In today's competitive market, agencies simply can't afford to waste time and resources chasing opportunities that never convert. Join Marcus Elliott Brown, Founder & CEO of The Great

Well done to Victoria Fox and the AAR for making such a strong case for the future of our industry at the IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising) Business Growth Conference. Victoria’s vision of the agency of 2030 was a compelling one: that competitive advantage won't simply come from infrastructure, systems or executional capability, but from judgement, conviction and the courage to make the creative leap. One thought that particularly resonated with me was that, as

A huge thank you to Olivier Gauthier and the entire COMvergence team for bringing the industry together to celebrate 10 years of COMvergence. It was a real pleasure to moderate such a thoughtful discussion with Thomas Le Thierry d'Ennequin, Thomas Jamet, Gene Turner and Ali Reed on what independent agencies can deliver that large networks can't. Events like these remind us that the best conversations happen when experienced people come together to challenge ideas, share persp

Our CEO, Marcus Elliott Brown, will be moderating what promises to be a fascinating discussion at the 10th Anniversary of COMvergence next week in Paris. Joining him will be an outstanding panel of industry leaders: Thomas Jamet (7KIDS Cosmo5 Group), Thomas Le Thierry d'Ennequin (Mediaplus Group), Ali Reed (Brainlabs) and Gene Turner (Horizon Media). Together, they'll explore a question that continues to shape our industry: "What do independent agencies deliver that large net

Independent agency founders: are you winning as many pitches as you should be? Join us at Summer Reset on 3 July, where our CEO, Marcus Elliott Brown, will reveal the five biggest mistakes agencies make when pitching and the practical steps you can take to improve your win rate. With clients achieving pitch win rates of up to 100% and 83% over the last two years, Marcus will be sharing proven insights to help you convert more opportunities into growth. 📍 THEᐧTEAM, Aldwych Ho

As AI continues to evolve, standing out is becoming harder than ever. In his latest article, our Pitch Guru Michael Parker explores why the qualities that truly differentiate us can't be generated by a machine. While AI can mimic language, knowledge and even empathy, it cannot draw on personal experience, vulnerability, courage or genuine human presence. Drawing lessons from elite sport, leadership and performance, Michael argues that the people who make the biggest impact ar

Excited to be at SXSW London 2026. To be at the heart of where Music, film, tech, culture and advertising collides feels GREAT! #ShapetheFuture #SXSWLondon #London #TheGreatPitchCompany

Q4 success starts long before Q4. The agencies that win in the final stretch of the year are usually the ones that use the summer to step back, sharpen their positioning, and fix the leaks in their new business system. Our CEO Marcus Elliott Brown will be joining Adam Graham and Dan Archer at the Summer Reset in London on 3rd July, organised by Gray Matters in partnership with the Alliance of Independent Agencies. A focused afternoon exploring positioning, pipelines, pitching

After a week at AdForum Summit, one thing is clear: AI is already reshaping how agencies create, produce and pitch. From blurred lines between creative and production, to AI-powered workflows delivering work faster than ever, the landscape is shifting quickly. But here’s the key takeaway: despite all the AI talk, people still matter! Being in the room, what you say, how you say it, that’s still what wins. 🎥 Watch our latest video for key takeaways from the week with Marcus B

The Great Pitch Company is thrilled to announce that we are LIVE at Mirren Live in New York City! For those unfamiliar, Mirren Live is the premier conference for New Business professionals across North America, featuring a dynamic and engaging two-day schedule packed with insightful sessions, expert speakers, and invaluable networking opportunities. Our team is excited to share live updates and highlights as the conference unfolds. Stay tuned for the latest developments, key

We’re excited to be in Toronto for the AdForum Summit 2026! A strong start to Summit Week, bringing together some of the best minds across agencies and the global search consultant community. Great to see the Institute of Canadian Agencies (ICA) bringing the AdForum Summit to Canada for the first time, a fantastic initiative showcasing the strength and creativity of the Canadian agency landscape. Two days of sharp insights and honest conversations on how agencies are evolving

Wow! What a welcome from Government of Canada for AdForum Summit May 2026! The red carpet was royally rolled out by the ICA - Institute of Canadian Agencies and the Canadian and Ottawan governments. The Great Pitch Company team were well represented by our new North American Leader Claire Morris, Director of Education Adrian Coville and our CEO Marcus Elliott Brown. Huge kudos to Scott Knox and Leah Power for organizing such a stellar line up of Canadian agencies and their ta

The recent Worldwide Partners, Inc. Global Summit was nothing short of spectacular! Attendees were treated to outstanding presentations that showcased innovative ideas and strategies for agency growth. The atmosphere was electric, enriched by the warm hospitality of Austin and highlighted by a captivating live performance from The Voice finalist, Jordan Matthew Young. This event not only fostered learning and networking but also celebrated the incredible community we have bui

Great to join Tribe Global in Warsaw for their Annual hashtag#TribeSummit2026 as a speaker. Together, we unpacked the business case behind some of the world’s most successful agencies, along with the strategies driving their business development. Thank you to Greetje Demuelenaere and Elaine Miller for the invitation. A fantastic few days of insight and conversation. #TribeSummit2026 #TribeGlobal #TheGreatPitchCompany #AgencyGrowth

A great reminder from Michael Parker on how to stand out in a world increasingly shaped by AI. It’s not just about what you know, it’s how you show up. Confidence, presence, mindset… that “moment of truth” before performance is what separates people, not just capability. At The Great Pitch Company, we see it every day, the difference isn’t only in the thinking, it’s in how it’s brought to life. Because one thing is certain: the more AI advances, the more human presence matter

A real honour for The Great Pitch Company to see our CEO Marcus Elliott Brown invited as a guest speaker at the Tribe Global Summit 2026 in Warsaw. Looking forward to two days of fresh perspectives, insights, and best practices from across the network, alongside an inspiring lineup of speakers. Wishing everyone a great summit. #TribeSummit2026 #TribeGlobal #BusinessDevelopment #TheGreatPitchCompany

Great to see the latest IPA Bellwether report showing a return to growth, even in a challenging environment. In the latest Mediashotz roundup of the Q1 2026 Bellwether report, Great to see our CEO Marcus Brown featured among other industry voices. It reinforces a key point we see every day at The Great Pitch Company: the brands that stay visible and consistent through uncertainty are the ones that unlock growth. Also, Great to read the perspectives of others industry leaders

In business pitching, the biggest obstacle isn’t competition. It’s perceived risk. You walk into the room expecting a decision. The client walks in thinking about consequences. What happens if this goes wrong? How exposed am I if this fails? Is this safer than the alternative? So they ask for more information. Another meeting. More time to “think it through internally.” It sounds like hesitation. But in business pitching, what’s really happening is risk management. In this ar

An AI elevator pitch can reveal more about a business idea than a full presentation ever will. When you compress an idea into a short, clear explanation and pressure-test it with AI, weak logic, vague positioning, and shaky assumptions quickly surface. In 2026, AI is becoming a powerful tool for founders, agencies, and teams who want to test their thinking early. Used properly, an AI elevator pitch doesn’t just help you explain an idea. It helps you challenge it. In this arti

In a pitch, the room isn’t just judging your idea . They’re judging whether you can lead it. That’s where leadership presence comes in. In easy terms, leadership is the difference between someone who presents slides and someone who commands belief. In high-stakes pitches, presence often tips the decision before the strategy even finishes landing. This article breaks down why leadership presence wins pitches and how teams can improve it so it shows up when it matters most. L