Next up for the Ad Agency spotlight is MGH. It is merely coincidence I am doing another three letter shop.


MGH:

President: Andy Malis

Website: http://mghus.com

Size: Mid-Large

What are they willing to do for you? Everything

Client Sampling: Smyth Jewelers, Papa John’s, BSO

Website Grade: A-

Will you wanna quit after working there for a month? Here’s a noteworthy opinion for you. Some real hard hitting insight! I interned there. It’s a nice place to work, not to intern at though. The experience was definitely not all I had hoped for. I also know starting salary hasn’t been on par in the past with other agencies in the area. However, like most agencies, the environment is laid back and free spirited. And I know several people are still there from a couple of years ago, so turnover isn't as high as at some other agencies.


Good Ad/Bad Ad:
The Good:
Anything Smyth Jewelers. From their “This may be the last decision you get to make” billboard, to the Addy winning ring-sizing coaster campaign, MGH has kept the awesome coming for Smyth.

The Bad:
Snyder, Slutkin and Snyder print ad: “The jury has reached a verdict. They love him.”

Honestly, not even all that horrible. But with such a great creative department comes a lack of weak ads.

Bottom Line: I’m not sure I would put all of my eggs into the MGH basket. From a media standpoint, there are better agencies.  Seeing how they operate from the inside, I saw how things tended to get mixed up at times and how recommendations weren’t always the best for the client. For example, a network affiliate that consistently under-delivers need not be prominently included in a schedule.  Extra value is technically not extra or added when its already been paid for. You can definitely do much worse though when it comes to media.
That being said, I would say a resounding “yes” for MGH doing any company’s creative. I honestly don’t think there is a better agency than the Owings Mills based shop when it comes to creating meaningful advertising messages.  Creative Director John Patterson has done some incredible things there.
 

Chris can be reached via e-mail at chris.d.catalano@gmail.com.