CASE STUDY
Cella’s Managed In-House Agency Delivers Comprehensive Solution with Enhanced Services and Exceptional Cost Savings
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Cella launched a managed in-house agency and developed a comprehensive operations and organizational strategy that not only amplified creative output for the client but defined systems that kept productivity, financial management and logistics front of mind.
Cella’s sophisticated management approach resulted in elevated operational efficiencies, enhanced quality of output, increased speed of delivery to market, and preserved 30% of the client’s budget – representing millions of dollars in cost savings.
We are continuously providing innovative solutions around functional digital media and delivery, operational efficiencies, designing custom flexible staffing models and methods, perfecting communication strategies, and anticipating the client’s needs as their business grows.
In corporate structures, it’s not uncommon to see seasons of unbridled growth. In other times, companies face the realities of restructuring their business to retain profitability and scale as well as pivot toward future growth.
Cella provided a comprehensive solution for one of its long-term, high-profile pharmaceutical clients to help solve their challenge of maintaining creative services in the face of a company restructure. The goal was to create a cost-effective approach that would enable them to work more efficiently. They got everything they were hoping for – and much more.
The Problem
Relationships are everything, and Cella values our relationships with clients. We are always looking for ways to partner with them to find solutions to problems and bring about amazing results.
One of Cella’s long-term, high-profile pharmaceutical clients wanted an expert to help them solve the challenge of maintaining creative services in the face of a company restructure. They needed a cost-effective solution to enable them to work more efficiently. Without infrastructure to properly manage creative employees and the workload, the company had considered outsourcing all creative services. However, that would ultimately be a more expensive route, which would defeat the purpose of the restructure, and result in a significant loss of institutional knowledge.
The client needed a solution that would not only save money, but also enable them to work more efficiently. They turned to a trusted partner – Cella.
The Solution
Because Cella understood the company’s needs and goals well, we recommended transitioning to a managed in-house agency (MIA), a comprehensive solution from end-to-end. The MIA structure ensured that Cella could leverage its vast network of flexible resources, from management to front line, so the right talent could be accessible at all times. Cella identified the in-demand skill sets the client didn’t have but needed most – and created a powerhouse.
In the first step, we ensured there was no loss of institutional memory. Because Cella hires right the first time, the talent base it drew from brought immediate value and experience from across various industries, which benefited the client’s multiple lines of business. The onboarding process Cella proffers has been perfected to equip staff with the knowledge they need to be successful in the client’s highly-regulated environment, including regulatory requirements they must adhere to as well as their brand standards.
Cella carefully placed full-time and as-needed contract talent for special projects, managing costs in a way that exceeded the client’s expectations.
We effectively leveraged data and metrics to fine-tune the team and operations and also adapted quickly to a remote work model that was seamlessly integrated into the existing model. In the end, Cella raised the bar for output, nimbly managing workflow, outputting flawless deliverables and driving greater productivity.
Cella identified the in-demand skill sets the client didn’t have but needed most – and created a powerhouse.
How We Did It
Cella launched the MIA, developing a comprehensive strategy that not only amplified creative output but developed systems that would provide service at capacity for the client. This strategy kept productivity, financial management and logistics front of mind.
Cella’s action plan included these key steps:
- Adding an operational management structure, including account managers, project managers and middle management
- Launching a flexible staffing solution with a mix of full-time and specialized contract employees
- Developing SOPs, workflows, time-tracking systems and project management tools to increase efficiency – all being resources the client did not have
This operational infrastructure provided needed framework for establishing an agency that could meet any need and execute seamlessly to deliver elevated creative work. Cella brought in top management leaders and specialized talent – UX/UI, illustration, video, information architecture among others – to take on work the client would not have had capacity for with its original in-house team. Video and digital teams exploded in terms of work volume and output. The MIA provided new services that the client had gone to external agencies for previously – and paid premium agency prices.
With a solid operational structure, project management oversight and talent that was ready to meet every challenge, the MIA began, at the client’s request, branching out into Tier 1 (high level strategic creative or new concepts) and Tier 2 (mid-level creative work). Springboarding off of these successes, the client saw the benefit of embedding team members within its extended departments who could focus on creative services. Cella had just the right fit for each role, selecting specific talent members who were well-versed in corporate communications and creative services.
The Results
Cella’s sophisticated management approach elevated operational efficiencies, increased speed of delivery to market, and preserved 30% of the client’s budget – representing millions of dollars in cost savings.
By leveraging our deep bench of talent, Cella curated a team that was able to pivot to provide new services at increased volume. Cella promoted the client’s internal culture while fostering an environment within the MIA that emphasizes a culture of professional development and best practices. An added plus: Because of Cella’s finely-tuned onboarding practices, turnover is below the industry average, saving revenue that would otherwise be lost in filling open roles.
The current MIA team has grown from a fraction of its original size to 300+ professionals, with an additional 75+ embedded team members across various client departments. The operations and middle management team of approximately 16 leaders is established and thriving. They are taking service to the next level, elevating the account management experience by providing white-glove service to internal stakeholders who have a choice between using the MIA and external agencies.
Cella’s sophisticated management approach elevated operational efficiencies, increased speed of delivery to market, and preserved 30% of the client’s budget – representing millions of dollars in cost savings.
What's Next?
Cella’s managed in-house agency has paved the way for quicker speed to market for our client’s service offering. The high quality of work, elevated output, and strategic creative solutions – coupled with increased efficiency and execution – translated into millions in budget savings. We delivered quality, timeliness and value for our client. As their business expands, Cella continues to adjust its scale with new services and increased volume to meet the client’s needs.
But we’re ready to do more.
Functional digital media and demand for digital delivery are increasing by the minute, and Cella is ready to meet the moment. We are pivoting to innovate solutions around operational efficiencies, designing custom flexible staffing models and methods to help the client get the most from them, perfecting effective communication strategies with department heads, and anticipating the client’s needs as their business grows.
Cella puts a high value on our relationships with clients, and we accept nothing less than producing results that exceed their expectations. They’ve given us their trust, and that trust is well-placed.
We’re in it for the long haul. Together.
