Taan International Capabilities and Services

For over 30 years, Taan has had members and affiliates in Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim. Today, almost every company is involved in global marketing to some degree and Taan agency members are positioned to assist them in many countries around the world.

All international marketing efforts eventually must succeed on a local level. Understanding local customs. Answering local needs and speaking local languages is what Taan is all about. Throughout the world, Taan offers experience and local know-how to help your clients appeal to local customers’ wants and needs. And do so in an efficient, economical and intelligent manner.
The benefits of being part of an international network go well beyond providing “branch office” services. Taan members stay on top of market changes, as well as cultural and business differences that might affect their clients marketing efforts in those countries or regions through the cooperative efforts of Taan members.

The Network Summit

In 1999, Taan became one of the founding members of The Network Summit, a consortium of successful networks similar to Taan. This consortium further extends the reach of its members by providing the combined strength of over 400 diverse, independent agencies, working in a non-competitive way to assist in supporting clients. Through these affiliations, Taan members can gain knowledge of an/or access to literally any market in the world.

Benefits

• International Capabilities
• Network Opportunities
• Legal and Financial Services
• Information Services
• Membership Qualifications
• Membership Application

Experience The Open Dialogue at Taan Worldwide Meetings

“There’s nothing more electric than a room full of intelligent people,” an editorial in AdAge stated. What an apt description of Taan’s three agency meetings held each year.

Each year, a meeting is held in the US and attended principally my US agency members. Another meeting is held in Europe and generally attended by European members. The third meeting is our annual Global meeting which is attended by all Taan members and held in different locations around the world.

All meeting agendas are member-driven with a strong emphasis on bringing in guest speakers as well as member presentations. Typically, agendas encompass areas of interest to members, including such topics as:

• Agency Management and Operations
• Emerging Trends and opportunities
• Financial Management
• Growth Planning
• New Business
• CEO/Executive Skills Development

At each meeting, members report on recent developments, successes, challenges and problems at their agencies using a Taan Agency Update form which is shared with attendees in advance of the meeting. Then, in an honest, open and revealing session during the meeting, members discuss, share and try to solve some of the remarkably common challenges they each face every day in their business.

Also, Taan’s legal counsel reports on significant legislative, regulatory and judicial developments that can affect members’ business practices. Members can also receive answers to specific legal issues or situations that their agency may be facing.

Additionally, Taan’s financial counsel reports on financial management, tax planning, retirement and succession planning as well as profitability improvement strategies. This too is often followed by a responsive Q & A session.

Taan meetings are great opportunities for knowledge and advice among peers and Taan’s professional counsels.

Who Attends Taan Meetings?

Usually the member agency’s CEO or Managing Director is the “official” Taan delegate who attends the meetings. This preserves continuity and allows members to become close friends over time. Frequently, other agency partners, senior executives and heirs-apparent accompany the CEO or even take their place when they cannot make the meeting.

How Do Members Work Together Between Meetings?

You might be surprised how often Taan members communicate with one another – either by email, phone, mail or even face-to-face meetings when necessary. Based on the close working relationships established at our meetings, members know who to call on for advice and assistance. Each year, network-wide surveys are uploaded to the private extranet to keep everyone current on rates, pricing, salaries and member category market knowledge and special capabilities.

“Branch office” services on behalf of clients and special work requests are provided on an hourly fee basis with the first hour free. Occasionally members have set up special joint ventures to serve clients on an ongoing basis.

Member-to-member assistance ranges from client program work (special market expertise, market research, local PR, photography and video shooting, special events, media planning, digital development, broadcast production, personal contacts, etc.) to helping pitch new business to advice on agency operations (technologies and equipment, financial issues, employee issues such as benefit plans, handbooks, compensation, succession plans, etc.)

Special Workshops

From time to time, Taan organizes one or two day workshops for upper and middle management of member firms. Recent workshop topics have been conducted specifically for agency CFOs and Creative staffs.

Benefits

• International Capabilities
• Network Opportunities
• Legal and Financial Services
• Information Services
• Membership Qualifications
• Membership Application

Taan Counsels Legal and Financial Services Counselors

ReedSmith for Legal Services

Taan maintains a formal relationship with the international law form of ReedSmith, the global leaders in advertising and promotion law. And through their alliance with GALA (Global Advertising Law Alliance), Taan members can have access to legal advice and remedies almost anywhere in the world.

Under the arrangement with ReedSmith, Taan members receive legal updates via the Internet, as well as access to the firm’s library of legal forms and other documents. The firm’s partner, John Feldman, Esq., regularly attends Taan meetings and is available at no charge for “quick opinions” by phone or email. Case work, if needed by members, is provided on a fee basis with estimates provided in advance.

Taan maintains a similar relationship with the Milwaukee, Wisconsin accounting firm Locatelli & Company, a specialist in advertising agency financial management. In addition to receiving regular management updates, the firm’s principal, Jim Locatelli, CPA, conducts a regular financial management workshop at many Taan meetings. He is also available for “quick opinions” at no cost by phone or email. Project work is available on a fee basis with costs estimated in advance.

Benefits

• International Capabilities
• Network Opportunities
• Legal and Financial Services
• Information Services
• Membership Qualifications
• Membership Application