Agency vs. In-House Marketing: Which Path Fits You Best?

Agency vs. In-House Marketing: Which Path Fits You Best? - By Fraser Gillespie 

Choosing between working at a marketing agency or going in-house isn’t always easy. The world of marketing is changing fast. Budgets are tighter. Teams are leaner. And the pressure to do more with less? It’s very real.

In Scotland especially, we’ve seen a shift. More marketers are asking: “Do I stay in agency land, or is it time to go client-side?”

It’s a common crossroads. According to the Chartered Institute of Marketing, 4 in 10 UK marketers thought about switching jobs last year. Many wanted more creative freedom. Others wanted stability, a stronger voice in brand decisions, or simply a new challenge.

So—what’s right for you? Let’s break it down.

What’s Good About Going In-House?

Working in-house means you're part of the brand. You don’t just run campaigns—you live them. You're closer to the business and its goals, and you get to see the long-term impact of your work.

Here’s what people love about it:

• You’ve got control. You’re not juggling ten clients. You get to shape the strategy and make quick decisions.
• You know the brand inside out. Over time, you get a feel for what works and what doesn’t.
• You can move fast. No need for endless sign-offs between teams or clients (most of the time).

But—there are downsides too:

• Hiring is tough. In Scotland, 67% of employers say they struggle to hire digital marketing talent (thanks, Hays). So, in-house teams are often stretched.
• Creativity can stall. Working on the same brand day in, day out? It can get repetitive.

Scaling up is hard. Big campaign coming up? Without extra hands, it’s a scramble

Why Some Marketers Love Agency Life

Agencies are fast, fun, and full of variety. You work on loads of different brands, learn from teammates, and get exposed to new platforms, strategies, and industries.

Here’s why people thrive there:

• You build deep expertise. Agencies often hire specialists—PPC pros, SEO geeks, content kings. If you want to level up your skills, this is a good place.
• You grow fast. Promotions, portfolio variety, industry exposure—it all comes quicker.
• You stay creative. New client = new challenge. No chance to get bored.

But it’s not for everyone:

• It can be expensive for clients. Agency retainers or project fees can add up.
• You’re not always in the loop. Getting full brand context isn’t easy when you’re not in the room every day.
• Miscommunication happens. Deadlines slip, feedback gets lost—it happens.

What About a Bit of Both?

That’s where hybrid models come in. And they’re becoming more popular.

Some businesses are keeping a small in-house team but leaning on agencies for specialist projects or to handle the busy seasons.

Here’s when it works well:

• When you need help with something niche—like paid media or technical SEO.
• When the internal team is maxed out and needs backup.
• When you want an outside perspective to challenge how you do things.

Example?
One Glasgow-based e-comm brand did just this. They hired a content and social team in-house but kept an agency on for CRO and SEO. The result? They kept their tone of voice tight and boosted performance—22% more conversions in just 6 months.

Not Sure What’s Right for You? Ask Yourself:

• Do I want variety—or depth?
  Agencies give you broad experience fast. In-house gives you time to really dig in.
• What’s my goal?
  Want to become a creative lead across multiple brands? Go agency. Want to climb the ladder inside one business? In-house might be better.
• Do I like structure—or pace?
  Agency life can be a whirlwind. Some thrive on it. Others don’t.
• How big is the company?
  Startups may need more generalists or agency help. Bigger orgs might be building full teams internally.
• What’s the budget?
  If the company can’t hire a full-time specialist, agency support makes sense.

Final Thoughts

Here’s the thing: there’s no perfect answer. Both in-house and agency roles have their ups and downs. It all comes down to you—what kind of work excites you, what your goals are, and how you like to work.

Still unsure which way to go? No pressure, but a chat might help.

If you're feeling stuck and want to talk it through, drop me a line at fgillespie@weareninetwenty.com. I’d be happy to help.