In today’s competitive digital landscape, businesses are constantly asking themselves an important question: should they partner with top ad agencies or rely on an in-house marketing team? Both approaches come with their strengths, but when it comes to maximizing return on investment (ROI), the choice can have long-term consequences for brand success.
At Marcento, we’ve worked with businesses that have experienced both sides of this debate. Through this experience, we’ve identified key insights into how social media marketing strategists and advertising experts can make the difference between mediocre results and outstanding growth.
The Case for In-House Teams
Many companies prefer in-house teams because they allow direct control over marketing activities. Employees work exclusively for the brand, which can result in deeper familiarity with company culture, values, and day-to-day goals.
Advantages of In-House Teams:
- Brand Familiarity – Employees know the business inside out, allowing them to produce content that aligns with company culture.
- Direct Communication – No middlemen—ideas flow directly between management and the team.
- Quick Adaptation – In-house teams can pivot strategies quickly when leadership demands sudden changes.
However, there are also challenges: in-house teams may lack the specialized expertise found in top ad agencies. For example, staying on top of algorithm updates, ad bidding strategies, and advanced analytics often requires a diverse skill set that is expensive to maintain internally.
The Case for Top Ad Agencies
On the other hand, top ad agencies bring an entirely different level of expertise and resources. These agencies hire seasoned professionals, including social media marketing strategists, data analysts, content creators, and advertising specialists. Together, they provide a well-rounded service that is difficult for most in-house teams to match.
Advantages of Top Ad Agencies:
- Diverse Expertise – Agencies employ experts across various domains like SEO, PPC, design, and copywriting.
- Advanced Tools – Many agencies invest in premium analytics and automation platforms that small in-house teams may not afford.
- Fresh Creativity – Agencies work with multiple clients across industries, giving them exposure to new ideas and trends.
- Scalability – As businesses grow, agencies can quickly scale services to match the demand.
At Marcento, we’ve seen businesses transform their campaigns when they switch from relying solely on in-house staff to collaborating with top ad agencies. The ROI often improves because campaigns become more data-driven, creative, and optimized.
Cost Considerations: Which Is More Affordable?
At first glance, in-house teams may seem cheaper since employees are already on the payroll. However, the hidden costs of hiring, training, and maintaining staff add up quickly. A well-rounded digital marketing team requires specialists in areas like paid advertising, SEO, content marketing, and social media. Building such a team internally is expensive.
Top ad agencies, on the other hand, offer access to all of these skills in one package. While the upfront retainer fee may seem high, the efficiency and expertise agencies bring often generate better ROI in the long run.
ROI: The Core of the Debate
Ultimately, the real question is not cost but ROI. Businesses want to know which option delivers more growth for every dollar spent.
- In-House ROI tends to be higher for companies with niche industries where deep product knowledge is crucial. For example, highly technical businesses may benefit from internal marketers who fully understand their products.
- Agency ROI is often higher for businesses that rely on scalable campaigns, brand awareness, and paid advertising. With their tools and expertise, top ad agencies can optimize campaigns faster and more effectively.
At Marcento, our clients often find that combining both approaches—keeping some in-house staff while outsourcing to a top ad agency—produces the strongest ROI.
How Social Media Marketing Strategists Fit Into the Picture
Whether in-house or outsourced, social media marketing strategists are the glue that holds campaigns together. They ensure that content resonates with audiences, ads are optimized, and engagement is sustained.
When paired with an agency like Marcento, strategists gain access to broader resources and insights that amplify their results. This hybrid approach—having a strategist who knows your brand while an agency provides advanced tools and execution—delivers exceptional ROI.
Case Study: Hybrid Success
One of Marcento’s clients, a mid-sized e-commerce business, initially relied on an in-house team. While they managed decent engagement, sales growth was slow. Once Marcento partnered with their team, combining top ad agency expertise with their in-house strategist, results improved dramatically.
- Engagement increased by 120% in three months.
- Ad costs decreased by 35% due to better targeting.
- Overall ROI grew by 70% within six months.
This proves that businesses don’t always need to choose one side. Instead, blending both models—internal familiarity and external expertise—delivers maximum returns.
Future Outlook: Agencies and In-House Teams in 2025
The future of marketing is hybrid. Businesses will continue to maintain small in-house teams for brand alignment, while top ad agencies provide scalability, creativity, and technology. AI-driven analytics, influencer partnerships, and cross-platform campaigns will demand more skills than most in-house teams can manage alone.
Marcento is already preparing for this shift by offering flexible solutions that complement internal teams rather than replace them.
Conclusion
So, which delivers better ROI—in-house teams or top ad agencies? The answer depends on your goals, resources, and growth stage.
- In-house teams provide brand familiarity and fast adaptation.
- Top ad agencies deliver diverse expertise, scalability, and advanced tools.
For most businesses, a balanced approach works best. With Marcento, you don’t have to choose—we integrate seamlessly with in-house teams while providing the power of a leading ad agency. The result is a strategy that maximizes ROI, builds long-term relationships, and drives sustainable growth.