Undoubtedly, the most impactful client work comes from a solid foundation built upon the strength of the relationship between a brand and its agency partner. An effective partnership can transform bold ideas into reality and drive exceptional results. However, as performance expectations reach new heights against ever-diminishing budgets, the relationship between an agency and its clients is under increased scrutiny.
Countless studies abound reinforcing how a contented team directly drives operational success, people’s well-being and job satisfaction leads to enhanced productivity and higher retention rates. All of which directly enhance the quality of client work.
At UP, we are lucky to have exactly that team in place - perhaps down to our commitment to ensuring the highest degree of ethics across our company - culminating in our 91/100 Ethics score from EcoVadis and our subsequent Gold rating (UP is in the ‘Outstanding’ category for our Labour and Human Rights initiatives).
We previously highlighted the advantages of UP’s unique model for our members. However, on this occasion, we’re turning our attention to its benefits for our clients.
As such, we asked Christos Karakanna, UP’s Client Services lead to explain the key advantages that UP’s ‘next Generation Agency’ model offers clients:
-
Improved cost efficiencies:
Our overheads are limited, meaning these costs aren’t reflected in our charges. We are a remote-first organisation and simply hire the space we need when we need it. This further enables our fee structures to be commercially smart. Our low overheads mean that we can offer clients a wide range of agile cost models to best suit their needs. -
Cultural alignment:
Our members are globally dispersed. Clients can work with a diverse community of highly skilled individuals from every corner of the globe, with experience spanning the full spectrum of the communications mix. UP has members based across the globe, including in Asia, Finland, Germany, the Middle East, Sweden, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. Our diverse team provides clients with new perspectives and fresh thinking. It also means we are savvy about cultural differences and nuances, ultimately ensuring compliance within our clients’ territories. -
Smart, time-zone-based collaboration:
Our agile model enables urgent requests to be swiftly handled (even overnight). That speed and flexibility, combined with unwavering quality, can be revolutionary for clients.
You don’t need to just take our word (or our Gold medal!) for it either. Now you can learn more about our unique culture through our clients' eyes.
First in line is Mark Cooper, CEO of IACC (International Association of Conference Centres). UP is proud to have a longstanding relationship with IACC. IACC delivers innovative meeting experiences at certified venues across the globe and the Association is committed to embedding sustainability into its everyday operations (as demonstrated by its innovative Green Star Certification process).
-
Please tell us more about your relationship with the UP team?
We’ve been working with UP since 2014 when Julian Stubbs (UP’s Founder) first addressed our membership in a vibrant and memorable keynote during the IACC Europe Knowledge Festival in Stockholm. That moment marked the beginning of the relationship and it has flourished ever since. Over the years, the partnership has evolved into something genuinely collaborative, with UP feeling much more like an extension of our own team than a traditional agency. -
Which elements of UP’s operating model appealed to you when you first appointed us as your agency?
From the outset, UP’s cloud-based operating model stood out. The flexibility, the ability to tap into senior expertise across markets and the absence of unnecessary hierarchy aligned very well with how IACC operates as a global, purpose-driven organisation. Just as important was the mindset behind the model — collaborative, strategic and relationship-focused, rather than transactional. -
Sustainability is a key priority for IACC, from your Green Star Certification through to your wider strategy. Has UP’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (including our EcoVadis Gold rating) been a factor in the ongoing relationship?
Absolutely. Social Impact and responsible business practices are core to IACC’s values and long-term strategy, so it’s essential that our partners genuinely share that commitment. UP’s approach to CSR gives us confidence that sustainable practices are embedded in how UP operates, not just how the team communicates it. -
As a fellow global organisation, how does UP’s international presence support IACC and its member venues?
UP’s international presence is an important asset for IACC. Our membership spans multiple regions. UP’s ability to combine global perspective with local market insight has been invaluable. It allows us to develop strategies and communications that are globally coherent while remaining sensitive to regional nuance, which is critical when supporting a diverse international community.
-
Finally, how would you describe the UP team in five words?
Collaborative, forward-thinking, best-friend, agile, guiding.
Next up is Luca Alfatti, Co-Founder of the World Extreme Medicine Fund (WEMF).
WEMF is an international charity committed to strengthening local resilience through immediate response and long-term medical support. WEMF operates globally in countries affected by conflict, including Ukraine, where the charity has delivered nearly £5M in trauma aid and trained over 1,200 frontline medical personnel.
-
Which elements of UP’s unique operating model appealed when you first approached Bethany about raising awareness of WEMF?
As a global charity, we work with partners, volunteers and supporters across multiple countries and time zones, so UP's cloud-based operating model naturally complements the way we operate. We already knew Bethany Skinnard, UP’s PR & Content Strategist and were delighted when she approached us about supporting the World Extreme Medicine Fund through UP's pro bono Social Impact programme. The opportunity to draw on a global network of specialist expertise, combined with a flexible and collaborative way of working, made it an excellent fit for our organisation and the international communities we serve.
-
What makes UP different from other agencies that you have previously worked with?
What has stood out most is the genuine sense of partnership that we have with UP, rather than this being seen as simply a pro bono project. UP has taken the time to understand our complex mission, our many challenges, and the impact we're trying to have. Bethany has been proactive, collaborative and highly responsive, bringing strategic thinking, as well as practical support.
-
WEMF also places a considerable emphasis on sustainability and partnering with purposeful companies that give back to society. As such, was UP’s commitment to CSR and our GOLD EcoVadis rating a key factor in our on-going relationship?
Definitely - as a charitable foundation focused on improving healthcare education and supporting vulnerable communities around the world, it's important that the organisations we work with share similar values. UP's commitment to responsible business practices, sustainability, and social impact reinforces that alignment. While the quality of the relationship and the team's support remain the primary reasons we've continued working together, knowing those values are embedded within the organisation gives us even greater confidence in the partnership. -
Please describe the UP team in five words
Collaborative, passionate, responsive, generous, purpose-driven.
To learn more about UP's innovative operating model and how it delivers exceptional results, please contact us.