POV
From Projects to Partnerships: Why Subscription Models Are Gaining Ground in Creative Services
By: Marc Cooper, CM
Not long ago, I sat down to do a personal review of our family finances. What I thought would be a quick check-in turned into a bit of a surprise: we had accumulated dozens of subscriptions.
From security cameras to cloud storage, cell phones to streaming services, meal kits to dog food, and yes, even lawn care. We’re still receiving a couple of physical magazines, and I’ll admit it, I genuinely look forward to flipping through Harvard Business Review. Ironically, I usually read it when I should be at another subscription I rarely use: the YMCA.
It made me realize just how much we rely on subscription models for convenience, predictability, and access. And yet, when it comes to how most companies engage with creative agencies, we’re often still stuck choosing between two extremes: project-by-project billing or long-term retainers.
At Junction59, we’ve added a new way to meet in the middle.
We’ve introduced a third option, monthly subscriptions, designed for the way modern businesses actually operate. Before we explain how that works, let’s take a look at the three most common models for engaging with an agency, and how we bring clarity and structure to each.
1. Ad Hoc Projects – Standard Flexibility Without the Strings
Ad hoc work is ideal when you need high-quality creative support for one-off campaigns or special projects, without a long-term commitment. It’s where many client relationships begin.
How it works: You bring us a defined need. We assess the scope, determine the team and time required, and typically provide a fixed-price quote. This approach is based on our standard ad hoc rates, using either role-specific or blended pricing depending on the project.
Best for: Campaigns, content packages, or digital builds that are clearly defined and have a firm deadline or deliverable.
How we manage scope:
- Every project begins with a scope and effort review
- We deliver a formal quote before work begins
- If needs change midstream, we flag it early and offer options
In a nutshell: Ad hoc gives you flexibility and control, with pricing clarity up front and proactive communication along the way.
2. Retainer Agreements – Deep Partnership, Best Value
Retainers are ideal for brands with ongoing needs who want consistent agency support, long-term strategy, and priority access to senior talent.
How it works: You commit to a monthly number of hours, typically for a 12–36-month period. The scope and goals are collaboratively defined and managed throughout the relationship.
Best for: Marketing teams with steady roadmaps, brand-building, content production, campaign management, who want a strategic partner.
How we manage scope:
- Every new task or initiative is reviewed and time-estimated before it begins
- We allocate hours accordingly and keep you updated on usage
- If something falls outside your monthly bandwidth, we help reallocate or provide a supplemental quote
In a nutshell: Retainers provide long-term value and integration when your business requires consistency and depth from your agency partner.
3. Subscription Services – A Flexible Middle Ground
This model combines the structure of ongoing engagement with the flexibility of a shorter-term commitment. It’s designed for growing teams who need regular support but want to stay nimble.
How it works: You select a monthly hour tier, with a pre-set hourly rate. The scope can shift from month to month based on your needs, including content, campaigns, digital work, and strategy, and there’s no long-term contract required.
Best for: Businesses scaling up or down, expanding internal capacity, or testing a deeper agency relationship before moving to a retainer.
How we manage scope:
- We assess every request and let you know how many hours it will require
- If a request exceeds your available hours, we offer options: defer, reprioritize, or quote separately
- You get monthly updates and a proactive check-in to help plan for what’s next
In a nutshell: Subscriptions offer predictable agency access without the rigidity of a long-term retainer, perfect when your priorities are evolving or your bandwidth is stretched.
Fixed Pricing and Scope: Our Standard Practice
No matter how you work with us, we assess every ask before we allocate time. That applies to ad hoc work, subscription clients, and even retainer partners.
When your ask is clearly defined, we’ll often provide a fixed-price quote for predictability. If something shifts during the process, we flag it, explain the impact, and get approval before proceeding. That means:
- No surprises
- Clear accountability
- Better alignment between effort and expectations
We build structure into every engagement so you can focus on outcomes, not oversight.
Why Subscriptions Are Gaining Ground
After that financial review, I realized something else: most of us are comfortable with subscriptions because they help us manage life. We don’t think twice about using them for software, entertainment, groceries, or even wellness.
Business isn’t much different.
The global subscription economy is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2025, as more companies adopt scalable, predictable models across operations—including marketing.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All—and That’s the Point
Each model, project, subscription, retainer, serves a purpose. But no two businesses are the same. That’s why we treat these as starting points, not boxes.
We’ll work with you to design the right mix of structure, flexibility, and clarity based on your goals, team, and how you prefer to work.
If you’ve found ad hoc projects too fragmented, or retainers too rigid, a subscription might be the right place to start.
Subscriptions have transformed how we buy software, stream content, and manage daily life. Now, they’re reshaping how smart businesses engage with creative teams, too.
