Why Production Companies Need to Think Like Agencies (Sometimes)

The lines between agencies and production companies are blurrier than ever. In the reign of the digital era, where budgets are shrinking but demand for content is growing, brands are looking for partners who can do more than just execute. They need ideas, strategy, and creative solutions that give their campaigns longer legs.

Traditionally, production companies have been called in once the big idea was already on the table. But increasingly, our partners are asking us to be part of the conversation earlier — to help shape the creative, explore media strategies, and find ways to maximize impact.

Why? Because content today needs to work harder. It’s no longer enough to make one beautiful film for one channel. Brands need storytelling that stretches across platforms, engages different audiences, and keeps resonating long after the first play. That requires thinking not only about craft, but about concept and context.

At Scholars, we’ve embraced this shift. Alongside our core production expertise, we’ve begun conceptualising campaigns, developing creative treatments, and advising on how stories can be tailored for multiple touchpoints. From advocacy films that double as educational tools, to branded content designed for both social media and broadcast, we’ve seen how integrated thinking leads to more effective work.

This doesn’t mean replacing agencies. It means recognising that clients increasingly value jacks of all trades — partners who can bridge creative, production, and media. Agencies bring strategic oversight and brand guardianship. Production companies bring craft, agility, and on-the-ground problem-solving. But when production companies think like agencies, even just sometimes, the result is campaigns with stronger ideas, smoother execution, and longer-lasting impact.

We’ve already seen this in projects where our role has extended beyond execution. By guiding creative development and advising on rollout strategies, we’ve helped our partners save resources while achieving greater reach. It’s proof that the industry is evolving — and that collaboration is no longer about strict handovers, but about shared ownership of stories.

The future of our industry belongs to those willing to adapt. For production companies, that means embracing a mindset that goes beyond “making” to include “shaping” and “sharing.”

At Scholars, we’re proud to step into that space — not to replace our agency partners, but to collaborate with them in new ways, bringing creativity, production, and media closer together. Because when we think like agencies, we don’t just deliver content — we deliver stories that truly live.