By Helen Johnson, Australia-based managing director and partner at Tangram
AI, technology, and automation are transforming the advertising industry, with networks like WPP, Publicis Groupe, and Omnicom pouring vast sums—hundreds of millions of dollars—into AI, technology, and automation.
WPP has announced a £250 million ($A480 million) investment in AI for 2024, and Publicis Groupe has committed €300 million ($A493 million) to AI.
These investments will enable the holding companies to develop and deploy proprietary AI and technology solutions, and gain access to exclusive partnerships and platforms.
Plus, these massive investments speak volumes about the networks’ commitment to staying ahead of the curve and revolutionising advertising practices.
With resources of this magnitude at their disposal, these networks are not just embracing AI—they’re shaping its future.
If indies don’t think about how to implement AI too, they’ll be left behind.
How AI and technology is reshaping the advertising industry
Some of the best examples I’ve seen of agencies using AI demonstrate a level of innovation and forward-thinking that sets the standard for the entire industry:
- Optimising design and production – Omnicom has forged partnerships with generative AI tools like Getty’s AI platform. Through these collaborations, agencies are revolutionising the creative process, generating bespoke assets like images, videos, headlines, and slogans with unprecedented speed and precision.
- Managing vast amounts of media data – AI isn’t just a game-changer for creative output, it’s also revolutionising media planning and buying. GroupM has been leveraging AI to analyse huge amounts of data, predict outcomes, and allocate budgets across channels and platforms.
- Automating the operations cycle – dentsu has been measuring and optimising business processes using automations to eliminate manual busy work for their business, saving thousands of hours across their network.
Holdco watch-outs
Despite the giant leaps that have been made, the networks need to be careful and make sure they don’t stumble into common pitfalls. Time and time again, I’ve seen agencies invest heavily in new technology. Networks are renowned for operating in silos, failing to collaborate effectively and leading to disjointed efforts and missed opportunities.
It’s not just about implementing flashy new tools; it’s about understanding how each component fits into the broader strategy and workflow. Networks investing heavily into AI, technology, and automation need to do it with a holistic approach, or risk investing resources into solutions that may not stand up. With the head start they have, it’s crucial for networks to get it right early on.
The opportunity for indies
So what does this mean for the independent agencies, which are often praised for their agility and creativity? With resource disparities and lacking the scale of the holding companies, how can they fend off the looming threat and assert their place in the new order?
The good news is that there are opportunities for indies to harness AI without breaking the bank. Many tools for building applications and automations come bundled in packages from industry giants like Microsoft and Google. No-code apps, easily accessible, and cheap to implement with no need for a development team.
To navigate this landscape successfully, independent agencies must ensure their data is organised and well-documented, steering clear of unnecessary complexity in tracking client data. By understanding their processes inside out, indies can avoid adding unnecessary layers to their tech stack and identify areas ripe for automation.
While networks may have the upper hand with their significant investments in AI, indie agencies possess agility, creativity, and the potential to carve out their niche in the AI era. It’s a competition fuelled by innovation, and with the right strategy, indie agencies can indeed hold their ground against the networks powered by AI.