Observed Signal · May 15, 2026 · Study Release · Source: Adweek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
25% of North American Agencies Shift to Fixed-Fee Pricing
A Forrester Consulting study in partnership with Dentsu finds that 25% of North American agencies have moved exclusively to fixed-fee pricing as AI pressures commercial models. The survey of 356 marketing and procurement leaders across the U.S. and Canada reports 63% of agencies using fixed-fee pricing are satisfied or extremely satisfied. Among marketers not currently using fixed fees, a majority are interested or extremely interested in adopting the model, with a further 28% somewhat interested, signalling broad openness to fixed-fee approaches. The study is titled "The Fixed-Fee Advantage: Unlocking Agency Value While Addressing Pricing Friction."
Empirical survey showing a notable shift in agency commercial models (25% moved to fixed-fee) and widespread interest among marketers; relevant to agency revenue models and client–agency contracting but not immediately industry-shifting.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- 25% of North American agencies have exclusively shifted to fixed-fee pricing.
- 63% of agencies using fixed-fee pricing reported being satisfied or extremely satisfied.
- The study was conducted by Forrester Consulting in partnership with Dentsu.
- The survey sampled 356 marketing and procurement leaders across the U.S. and Canada.
- Among marketers not using fixed-fee pricing, more than half are interested or extremely interested in adopting it; 28% are somewhat interested.
Connected Companies & Entities
1 Entity mappedRelated Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Global Brands Ditch Labour-Based Agency Fees, WFA Finds
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New research from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA), conducted with brand-tracking firm Tracksuit, surveyed 200 senior brand-side marketers (each overseeing budgets of at least £1m). The study found nine in 10 respondents view their agencies as either central to commercial success or meaningfully contributory. Top-valued agency capabilities were high-quality asset production (83%), strategic brand expertise (80%) and specialist channel knowledge (79%). However, substantial gaps exist between what clients value (for example, stretch/growth thinking and challenge to briefs) and what they report actually receiving. Two-thirds of respondents believe current agency charging undervalues work, and 54% expressed interest in exploring outcome-based pricing. IPA director of value Ed Palmer commented that agencies should take heart but must better deliver and be compensated for what clients value.
Agencies Delay Budget Growth to 2027, AI Concerns Rise
Digiday+ Research (Q4 2025) surveyed 62 agency professionals and found agencies expect near-term client spending to remain constrained, with many pushing anticipated budget growth out to 2027. For 2026, respondents’ top concerns were reduced client budgets (38%) and the effects of AI (38%). The report notes a decline in the prominence of budget worries versus 2025 (47% then) alongside a marked increase in AI-related worries, including external AI tools (29%) and internal workforce impacts (9%). Agencies say clients generally don’t understand agentic AI (73% reported this in the 2025 Media Agency Report). Holding companies (WPP, Publicis, Omnicom, Havas, Dentsu) are using similar AI messaging, leaving clients unconvinced about cost savings. The piece also highlights monetization challenges for zero-click search tools, citing discontinued products such as Lorelight.
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