The Three Types of Marketing Agency in the Age of AI

The Three Types of Marketing Agencies in the Age of AI

If you’re running a business right now, you’ve probably noticed something strange: some marketing agencies talk endlessly about creativity, strategy, and efficiency—but go quiet when you ask how they’re actually using artificial intelligence to deliver those things.

That silence speaks volumes.

Level 1: The "AI as Cheating" Agency

Believe it or not, there are still agencies where AI use is frowned upon—where using a tool like ChatGPT is considered “cutting corners.” Ironically, in these teams, many employees are already using AI in secret just to keep up.

That means the benefits of AI are going to the individuals, not the clients. These agencies risk falling behind while pretending everything’s the same as it used to be. They’re protecting a tradition instead of building a future.

Level 2: The “AI for Us, Not for You” Agency

The next level up is where agencies openly use AI—but only behind the scenes. The culture encourages teams to automate, iterate, and optimize faster, all in the name of profit.

The problem? Clients never see those gains. The agency pockets the increased margins while charging the same rates and delivering the same story about bespoke creativity. From the outside, it looks efficient; from the inside, it’s a missed opportunity for shared growth and transparency.

Level 3: The Fully AI-Enabled Agency

The third level is where everything changes.

These are the agencies that don’t just use AI; they think with it. Here, AI isn’t a tool on the side—it’s part of how strategy, creativity, and execution intertwine. The culture is built on curiosity, experimentation, and openness.

At this level, the agency acts as a trusted advisor, helping clients navigate the AI landscape with confidence. When done right, this approach unlocks massive advantages: faster delivery, deeper insights, scalable creativity, and measurable ROI.

This kind of partnership doesn’t just produce more work—it produces better work, powered by a culture that’s evolving in real time.

Why This Matters Right Now

AI isn’t just a trend; it’s the new operating system for marketing. Agencies that resist it or hide it will be outpaced by those who weave it into their DNA.

At RedFig, we believe every client deserves the benefits of creative AI adoption—not as a hidden tool, but as a transparent advantage. Because in the end, it’s not AI replacing marketers. It’s AI-empowered marketers replacing those who refuse to adapt.

Your business deserves an agency that’s already fluent in the future.