Join Indie Agency News
Where independent agencies get seen by the people who matter.
We tell your story, review your work, and connect you with 300+ agencies worldwide. Whether you're in São Paulo, Singapore, or Seattle—well-known or just getting started—this is your platform to get the visibility and recognition you've earned.
What members say
"We were proud to be the 50th agency to join Indie Agency News, and it's quickly become an invaluable resource. From 1:1 consulting and news coverage to live CMO conversations, the visibility we've gained has been a huge boost. Most importantly, Doug and team genuinely care about your agency's success. They're engaging, helpful and truly in your corner."
"The consult on our award submission was so helpful and productive—and not the type of insight and support that we have available to us elsewhere. They feel too good to be true—no notes!"
"We've found immense value in our membership with Indie Agency News. From exclusive events to thought leadership content and 1:1 sessions, these memberships provide the support indie agencies need in the current market."
Who this is for
Independent Agencies
Full-service, media, production, experiential—whatever your model. Build visibility for your work and your story so the right people can find you.
Consultants
You help agencies grow. Build your reputation alongside the agencies you serve and share insights with leaders ready to act on them.
Production Companies
Production and production-related companies—editorial, post, VFX, sound design, animation. Build your reputation and connect with agencies who need what you do. Benefits apply to your business, not your clients.
Freelancers + Creatives
Join a community where your work gets seen. Connect with agencies who value talent and are always looking for great collaborators.
CMO/Marketer?
Discover agencies you've never heard of but should. We tell their stories so you can find partners who move as fast as you do.
We have a new home for you at inhouse.news. Check out what we're building for you there.
We don't just write about independent agencies—we give you the tools and services to grow your visibility and sharpen your story.
Get seen by the people who matter. Make it clear what you offer and what makes you different. We give you multiple ways to get in front of marketers—and you own everything we create together.
Every membership includes:
- ✓ Your rate never goes up — Lock it in when you join, keep it forever
- ✓ Your whole team gets access — Interns to CEO, everyone can participate
- ✓ 25% off everything — Awards entries, event tickets, sponsorships
What's included in membership
The tools to grow your agency's visibility
Your agency gets seen by the people who matter. Marketers need to know who you are and what makes you different. We give you multiple ways to get in front of them—and you own everything we create together.
- Meet an Indie Agency video interview: A 15-20 minute profile that becomes a valuable marketing asset. Use it for new business, recruitment, awards—anywhere you need to show who you are.
- Your work and wins get covered: Campaigns, new business, hires, moves—we publish your news and give it context. Indie Spin tracks member activity in weekly roundups. The Indie Tracker shares news daily and moves at the speed of indies.
- Livestreaming and video opportunities: We build shows around topics you're already discussing. Share your thinking with a wider audience. Members can host shows too.
- Members-only shows: Inside track from industry experts, plus members-only reports and intelligence.
- We come to you: We proactively pitch show ideas to members. No second job—we do the heavy lifting.
- All content is yours to keep: Request full video files, transcripts, and assets to use however you want.
Get unstuck faster with expert eyes on your work. We've been editors, marketers, and agency operators—we know what works.
1stPass Analysis Tools
Six tools for the stuff you're already working on. Submit what you've got (doesn't need to be perfect). Get specific, actionable feedback in 24-48 hours.
Your data is used once for each specific project and then deleted. We are 100% opted-out for any data to train AI/LLM models.
Op-Ed Optimizer
Analyzes thought leadership using 10 editorial criteria. Find the lead, strengthen your argument, get publication-ready.
Pitch Pilot
Reviews news pitches using criteria that gets reporters' attention. See what's working and what's missing.
Awards Optimizer
Evaluates entries against industry-winning standards. 40+ entries reviewed with strong win rate. Catches gaps, helps you tell a better story.
Panel Pilot
Transforms ideas into winning panel proposals. Start with a kernel—we'll help you build it out.
Website Optimizer
Evaluates your site through marketers' eyes. What makes them stick around vs. bounce.
Messaging Optimizer
Framework for B2B agency messaging. Clarify positioning, sharpen your story.
15-Minute Member Sprints
- Book time to talk through anything: Beyond 1stPass tools, we're happy to talk about anything that can help you grow. Get unstuck fast with someone who's been there.
Connect with 300+ independent agencies around the world who fully understand your challenges. This isn't just a feed—it's actual peer support from people who get it.
- Social platform and Slack: Ask questions, share wins, find collaborators, get honest feedback from people who understand what you're dealing with.
- Create and join groups: Find your people around specific interests, locations, or specialties.
- Sister City program: Connect with agencies in markets around the world for collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- Members-only content: Conversations and insights that stay focused and valuable.
Your best work and brilliant people get recognized. We run awards that actually matter and create spaces where indies can shine together.
- Top 40 Awards: Two annual awards programs—Top 40 Classic (all about the work) and Top 40 People + Agencies (celebrating the brilliant folks in the biz). No entry over $199. Members get one free entry for either show, plus 25% off additional entries.
- Show Off events: Present your work to peers and potential clients in cities worldwide. 5-minute presentations that showcase what you do best.
- Leadership Summit: Annual gathering bringing indie leaders together (Chicago, April 2026).
- We're at the major events: Cannes Lions and other key industry gatherings where indies should be represented.
- 25% member discount: On event tickets and sponsorships.
Get matched with opportunities and access vetted partners who understand how independent agencies work. This isn't search consulting—it's strategic introductions that make sense.
- Indie Agency Connect: We match brands with agencies for projects that fit. You opt in—no one's bombarding you with irrelevant RFPs. When a project matches your shop, we make the intro.
- Build relationships: Every connection opens doors to new possibilities. These aren't cold leads—they're thoughtful matches based on what brands actually need.
- Preferred Partners: Vetted vendors with indie-specific solutions. We've done the homework so you don't have to.
A few more things
- Everyone gets access: Seats for your entire team based on your membership level. Interns to CEO—everyone can participate
- Your rate never goes up: Lock in your membership rate forever. As long as you're a member, your price stays the same
- Pay in your currency: Pay where you are, not where we are.
Need to share this with your team?
Download our membership overview to forward to colleagues and decision-makers.
Download Membership Info (PDF)Memberships
Agency/Company Memberships
Membership rates shown in USD • Join in your local currency
Your rate never changes after you join!
Not in the U.S.? Right on! We're happy to help you join in your local currency.
We support membership payments through Stripe.
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Can't find your currency? Email us and we'll work it out together.
NEW! Production Company Memberships
Join the indie mission! This membership applies to production and production-related companies in the advertising/marketing industry (i.e., editorial, post-production, VFX, music/sound design, animation). Member benefits apply to the company’s business, not its clients.
Consultant Memberships
This membership applies to single practitioners considered consultants in the advertising/marketing industry (i.e., PR, biz dev, agency business). It does not apply to consultancies with more than one person. Member benefits apply to the consultant’s business, not its clients.
Freelancer/Creator Memberships
This membership applies to single practitioners traditionally considered freelancers and/or creators in the advertising/marketing industry—specifically on the creative side. This includes specific roles like copywriter, designer, editor, etc. This does not apply to individuals considered consultants, as defined in the Consultant Membership description.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a trade publication? What makes it different from other outlets and industry platforms?
Yes and no. We publish editorial content like a trade, but we're built differently. We're a hybrid—part media platform, part member network, part service provider. Think of us as a trade publication that's designed to help you, not just cover you.
How is your editorial approach different?
We prioritize live and video. We do a lot of written work, but we want people to see and hear your thinking. Think of us as more "broadcast" than traditional trade. Additionally, Indie Agency News can have a point of view and always be on the side of members and the indie agency world. We can say the unpopular thing and advocate for our members.
Who runs Indie Agency News and why was it started?
We're a bunch of ad nerds who love this industry. Collectively, our team's been in the trenches from different vantage points: covering as journalists, building visibility as comms professionals, and running some of the industry's most respected awards programs. We get the realities and constraints everyone faces—and saw whitespace for a dedicated platform for indie news and support.
The team: Doug Zanger, Kyle O'Brien, Angela Natividad, and Katie Walley-Wiegert.
How do you define "independent" agencies?
Not owned by publicly-traded holding companies or consultancy—any percentage. Privately-held networks, PE and agencies with parent companies not in this industry as main business line qualify as independent to us. Size doesn't matter—we have solo shops and 300-person agencies. What matters is independence.
How much does it cost to join?
Membership is based on agency size, starting at $595/year for agencies of 1-10 people. Your rate locks in forever—it never goes up as long as you're a member. Check out our pricing section above for the full breakdown. And you get all benefits included in the price.
You only cover your members? Why is that?
Our members are investing in building a global home for independent agencies. In return, they get access to everything—coverage, tools, community, all of it. It's a fair exchange. Plus, investment helps us grow so we can listen to our members and build what they need to improve their visibility. We work for our members, not pageviews.
Is this only for US agencies?
No—we're global. We have members across the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. Our goal is to be 50% North America/50% the rest of the world. You can pay in your local currency through Stripe. Independent agencies are everywhere, and so are we.
Do these services replace my PR and comms people?
No. We're designed to complement what your PR and comms teams are already doing, not replace them. Think of us as an extra set of expert eyes and ears—people who know what works. Your team still drives strategy. We help make their work stronger as part of your teams.
We're just getting started with comms. How will this help us?
Perfect timing. We can help you figure out which lane to play in, what story to tell, and how to tell it. The 1stPass tools give you a framework. The 15-minute sprints help you talk through strategy. And seeing what other members are doing in the community shows you what's possible. We meet you where you are.
We're very experienced in all of this. Why should we join?
Even the most sophisticated and famous agencies can benefit. We've spent 15 minutes tweaking major awards entries that led to wins. Fresh eyes catch things you're too close to see. We've helped tell more of an agency's story and highlighted new people. Plus, the community connection, the tools, the content you own, and having experts on call—that's valuable at any level. Your visibility journey is more sophisticated, but we can still be a positive force.
How much work do I have to put in for all of this?
As little as possible. We don't want you to have second job syndrome because you already put in a lot of work already. We proactively come to you with show ideas. We track your LinkedIn posts to find story and show angles. If you want to be more hands-on, great—but it's not necessary. We're built to make this easy, not add to your plate.
Do you use AI?
Yes, strategically. We use AI to stay organized, track member activity, and power our 1stPass analysis tools. But humans make all the editorial decisions. AI catches patterns—humans add context and nuance. We're about 50/50, and the human part is what matters most. Additionally, we have opted-out to all AI/LLM platform training. Once we take care of your project, all the data is deleted.
Have a question not listed here? Email us