First Ever • Industry Benchmark • 2026

The State of the
Client and Agency Relationship

Supported by The New Zealand Marketing Association.

The first comprehensive benchmark of client-agency relationships in New Zealand. A collaborative exchange where marketers and agencies share feedback on how the other is performing, to understand and strengthen these critical business partnerships.

100% Confidential and Secure

Why Participation Matters

By sharing your experiences, you contribute to New Zealand’s first evidence-based benchmark for client–agency relationships. Your feedback helps define what strong partnerships look like and where the industry can improve.

All responses are confidential and reported only in aggregate. Individual answers are never identified.

What this study produces

The findings from this study will be used to create New Zealand’s first formal benchmark report on client–agency relationships. The report will set an industry reference point for partnership performance, highlight areas of strength and friction across the market, and help marketing and agency leaders understand what “good” looks like in practice.

First Industry Benchmark in New Zealand
20+ Agencies & Clients
3min Completion Time
100% Confidential & Secure
Research Objective

The Complete Relationship Picture

This study provides an evidence-based view of how New Zealand's marketers and agencies are working together. By measuring both sides of the relationship, we establish a baseline for partnership excellence.

100% Confidential

All feedback is confidential and secure. Individual responses are never shared. Only aggregated, anonymous benchmark data is used to create industry-wide reports and insights. No individual respondent or organisation is identified.

Both Perspectives

The first benchmark to measure both sides: clients providing performance feedback and agencies sharing collaboration insights.

Industry Standard

Establish the benchmark for excellent client-agency partnerships in New Zealand. Understand what great relationships look like.

Simple & Powerful

3 Questions, 3 Minutes

A mobile-first, two-way pulse survey, confidential and anonymous, designed to capture the key dimensions of agency relationships and fosters a stronger connection.

Tellus Survey Mockup
Q1

Overall Satisfaction

Provide feedback across key satisfaction dimensions with attribute tags that matter most to your partnership.

Q2

Performance Dimensions

Insights across communication, availability, decision making, budget and timeline management.

Q3

Recommendation

The ultimate test of partnership health: the NPS score reveals the strength of the collective bond.

Why You Should Take Part

Shared Value for All Partners

Both marketers and agencies play an important role. Tellus, supported by The New Zealand Marketing Association, provides a confidential platform for marketers and agencies to share honest feedback, understand performance, and strengthen partnerships.

By taking part, you’re helping to establish the industry benchmark for client–agency relationships — a reference point that helps everyone understand what great looks like and where to focus improvement efforts.

For Marketers

Share confidential feedback on your agency's performance against key partnership metrics to ensure relationships are as strong as possible.

  • Communication and Availability
  • Account resourcing
  • Budget and timeline management
  • Process adherence
  • Culture Fit
  • Understanding of client business

For Agencies

Share confidential feedback on how clients show up in the partnership - from briefing quality to stakeholder alignment - to improve working relationships.

  • Timely & consolidated feedback
  • Stakeholder management
  • Clear measures of success
  • Decision making
  • Understanding of agency process
  • Adherence to deadlines
About Tellus

New Zealand's Relationship Intelligence Platform

Tellus is a New Zealand-based platform specialising in measuring and benchmarking client-agency relationships. Trusted by major brands and agencies across the country.

Built in New Zealand

A local platform designed specifically for the New Zealand market, understanding our unique business relationships.

Secure & Trusted

Enterprise-grade security and confidentiality. Your data is protected with the highest standards of privacy and encryption.

Proven Methodology

Combining CSAT, CES, and NPS with 'hard' operating metrics to create comprehensive relationship benchmarks trusted by leading organisations.

Industry Participation

Trusted by Leading New Zealand Brands & Agencies

Trusted by some of New Zealand's most recognised brands and agencies, Tellus is now inviting the broader industry to help establish the country's first benchmark for client-agency relationships.

ANZ
Westpac
New World
+ Many More
DDB Group Aotearoa
FCB Aotearoa
PHD Aotearoa
+ Many More

Request Sent

Thank you for your interest. We've received your details and will be in touch shortly.

Get Involved

Fill out the form below and we'll send you your unique survey link.
A work email address is required.

Please provide a valid work email address (public domains like Gmail are not accepted).

Participating in this study requires a verified business email address to ensure data integrity.