How to choose an entertainment marketing agency

Whether you're launching a new album, promoting a film, or marketing a video game, a specialised entertainment marketing agency can help you navigate unique challenges and opportunities effectively. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best digital marketing agency for your entertainment business.

An entertainment marketing agency specialises in promoting entertainment products such as music, movies, video games, and books. They have deep-rooted experience and a proven track record in crafting campaigns tailored to large and diverse audiences.

These agencies understand the intricacies of reaching large entertainment audiences and are adept at both nurturing existing fans and attracting new ones.

While a general digital marketing agency has broad experience, an entertainment-focused agency brings specialised knowledge. This includes understanding how to market events, tours, and releases to large, engaged audiences. This specialisation is important for impactful campaigns that resonate with fans.

Consider hiring an entertainment marketing agency ahead of any major release or announcement. Early engagement allows the agency to warm up your audience, maximising the impact of your announcement. It's beneficial to activate a fan base before a significant release.

Unique challenges and opportunities in entertainment marketing

The entertainment sector is highly influenced by technological changes. Agencies must adeptly navigate shifts such as the rise of streaming platforms for music and the transition to digital purchases for video games. Additionally, they need to balance budget allocation between engaging existing fans and attracting new ones.

There are many benefits to hiring a specialist agency:

• Experience and Expertise: Agencies bring specialised strategies and tools that have been tested and refined.
  
  

• Time Savings: Agencies can quickly implement effective campaigns, leveraging their extensive experience and resources.
  
  

• Technological Adaptation: Agencies stay ahead of technological trends, ensuring your campaign uses the latest features and platforms effectively.

Agency selection

When evaluating potential entertainment marketing agencies, look for:

1. Industry Experience and Track Record: Previous successes in similar campaigns.
   
   

2. Communication Style: Ensure timely, clear, and actionable insights that can be easily shared with stakeholders.
   
   

3. Reporting and Accountability: Effective agencies provide detailed yet comprehensible reports, reflecting real progress towards goals.

Try to avoid agencies with a "set and forget" approach or those lacking timely responses. Engagement and adaptability are key.

Consider geographic location. A UK-based agency, for instance, offers advantages due to its central time zone and English-speaking staff, facilitating easy communication with North America and Europe. We run global campaigns successfully across multiple markets and languages.

Core services offered by entertainment marketing agencies

• Paid Media Management: Advertising on social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, along with paid search ads.
  
  

• Analytics Setup and Reporting: Ensuring accurate tracking and reporting for web and email performance, to help optimise your digital marketing efforts.
  
  

• Email Marketing: Building and nurturing a fan base, keeping communication with your fans 24/7.
  
  

• SEO: Though less common, valuable for long-term traffic and brand building.

Evaluating case studies and tools

When reviewing case studies, focus on the methodology, results, and client testimonials. Have a look at our case studies to see how results and examples are documented. Effective agencies also leverage up-to-date tools and technologies, staying on the cutting edge of market research and campaign management.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right entertainment marketing agency involves careful consideration of their experience, communication style, and adaptability to industry trends. Ensure they have a proven track record and the tools necessary to drive your success. Utilise a checklist summarising these key points to find an agency that fits well with your entertainment business and sets you up for success.