Choosing the right retail media agency can be a make or break decision, but most brands are asking the wrong questions. In this episode, I called on several seasoned brand leaders who’ve been through the agency selection process to get their insights.

We spoke about the often-overlooked factors that truly matter when choosing an agency partner: finding the right people (not just credentials), spotting agencies that adapt to your workflows, avoiding the trap of big-name prestige, and making sure the pitch team you meet is actually the team you’ll work with. Whether you’re evaluating agencies right now or know you’ll need to soon, this conversation will help you cut through the noise and make a smarter decision.

This episode is sponsored by Connected Commerce at Acosta Group

Timeline

[00:58 ] - AJ Patel on why validating agency references is more important than polished case studies
[02:19 ] - Ben Galvin explains why adaptability to your tech stack can make or break a partnership
[04:31 ] - Darren Silverman warns against being dazzled by big-name agencies that aren’t the right fit
[05:19 ] - Ash McMullen highlights the importance of knowing who you’ll actually be working with
[06:12 ] - Jyoti Malik shares how immersive, scenario-based conversations reveal true agency fit

Links & Resources

• Follow AJ Patel, SVP of Global Growth at U Beauty on LinkedIn
• Follow Ben Galvin, Senior Director of Omnichannel, Retail Sales & Ecommerce at Monster Energy on LinkedIn
• Follow Darren Silverman, SVP of Digital, Commerce and Media at Petmate on LinkedIn
• Follow Ash McMullen, Head of Ecommerce at Advantice Health on LinkedIn
• Follow Jyoti Malik, Senior Director of Ecommerce at Belkin on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri on LinkedIn