Why Independent Regional Agencies Are Thriving in 2026

AgencyUK has recently been featured in The Drum, with our managing director and co-founder, Sammy Mansourpour, sharing his perspective on why regional agencies are continuing to thrive in today’s changing marketing landscape.

In the article, Sammy discusses how the south west’s strong foundation of technological talent has helped agencies stay ahead as AI and automation continue to reshape the industry. Having launched AgencyUK in Bath almost 18 years ago, he explains that adaptability and specialist expertise have become increasingly valuable to both clients and investors alike.

“We’re certainly the biggest we’ve ever been in terms of revenue, billings and gross profit, but we’re not the biggest we’ve ever been in terms of staff,” Sammy says. “You need less people to do more work now.”

Sammy also highlighted how many brands are turning towards independent agencies as larger network groups continue to restructure. “No one wants to work with organisations or with industries that stink of desperation,” he explains, pointing to a growing demand for stable, agile and forward-thinking agency partners.

As the industry continues to evolve, we remain focused on delivering innovative digital work while continuing to grow from our roots here in Bath.