Marketing Firm

Overview
A marketing firm refers to a business that performs marketing, advertising, public relations (and sometimes crisis management) for other companies, brands or products. There are many different types of industries that marketing companies operate in.

The primary goal of a marketing firm is to deliver a positive communication to the public and/or potential customers. A marketing firm works with multiple channels such as print and display media to deliver the message on behalf of clients.

Financial
A marketing firm revenue model can be based on a per-item for small campaigns or a billable rate for large campaigns. For example, a street marketing team can charge per flyer it distribute to the public or at a venue. A larger marketing firm can charge per hour to negoitate rates in media buying campaigns.

Legal and Compliance
The business structure for marketing firms vary by the number they employ. For the majority of marketing firms, a simple DBA is sufficient in allowing the creation of other business tools such as a company credit line or bank account.

Location and Facilities
A formal office location is ideal when courting clients but not overly necessary as long as there are adequate places to discuss business such as a coffee shop or rent-by-the-hour conference rooms. For some aspects of a marketer's duties, all that is required is a telephone, internet access and a quiet place to work.

Equipment
As previously mentioned, a marketing firm does not require many provisions in order to operate. Aside from the telephone, internet access and place to work (essential for online marketing) you may find it necessary to have access to:
 * Industry specific connections
 * Street team members
 * Printing capabilities

Roles
Starting out you may find yourself fiting many roles.As a larger marketing firm the roles of member would multiple but here is just a staring job aid:

Account Manager- This person is usually in charge of getting clients. Also for more reputable agency's this is who clients will contact in order to set up a campaign. This person will know what the client is looking for explained in a brief. This person also wants to make sure that the goals are met strategically and financially. This is the middle person between him or her and the agency.

Designer- This individual can either be in-house or outsourced, all depending on the agency's budget. This individual will carry on the direction of designs for campaigns such as flyers,ads, and other print media. This can also be done for commercials and other signages for store fronts and billboards.

Copywriter- For starting out agencies I wouldn't worry about this to much, however when you grow Intellectual Property will become more commonplace for your firm. This person is responsible for coming up with slogans and phrases attached to brands and copywriting them. You don't want to create the million dollar tag only to have someone take it and recycle it!