About Ad Forum
AdForum is not just an agency listing, but an advertising hub in itself. As an ad agency directory and creative library, AdForum makes thousands of agencies and past campaigns available to its users. Their platform features sophisticated search functionality that allows clients to narrow down an agency search by service type (PR, social media, web), potential audience (multicultural, luxury), and other categories. Users can also search through other ad, talent, and academic databases. AdForum also serves as a news media and content platform for advertising companies, connecting with existing organizations, creative talent, and new businesses through regular posts and updates. Users can also engage with the latest news, creative works, and more through instant updates, even receiving notifications whenever a new creative work matching their previously used search criteria is posted.
Advertising experts have a section on AdForum, where they are listed. They can build their profiles and communicate via the platform. As such, AdForum has a broad offer for the industry while also appearing to deliver more high-end solutions in select areas than many other platforms with a similarly narrow focus.
Strenghts
- Advanced search
- Multiple large industry databases
- Network & community
- Agencies can upload various types of content
- Agencies can share their campaigns
- Agencies receive periodic statistics
Weaknesses
- Broad focus
- Limited range of free account features
- No agency ratings
- Difficult to navigate
Key Advantage 01
Search
AdForum focuses mainly on enabling users to carry out research in this big agency directory and its other databases: talent, ads, awards, academics – overall, there is a broad range of industry listings. The search UX tool is pretty good and delivers search results quickly. Users can easily change search criteria and skip from one result element to another. From a strategic perspective, it is an excellent move to focus on giving users access to such a broad range of assets.
Key Advantage 01
Search
AdForum focuses mainly on enabling users to carry out research in this big agency directory and its other databases: talent, ads, awards, academics – overall, there is a broad range of industry listings. The search UX tool is pretty good and delivers search results quickly. Users can easily change search criteria and skip from one result element to another. From a strategic perspective, it is an excellent move to focus on giving users access to such a broad range of assets.
Key Advantage 02
Industry Network
Compared with other agency directories and platforms, AdForum is alone in dedicating part of its activity to talent. Various marketing experts, largely marketing consultants, have a section where they can be listed and find clients by exposing themselves and showcasing their skills. AdForum aspires to create an industry community on its platform. Talent-community features enrich AdForum and differentiate it from its direct competitors, but it should be noted that competing with multiple, similarly narrow-focused platforms such as UpWork, The Dots, or LinkedIn seems a tough challenge. While being active across many categories, AdForum should not lose its focus on its strategic features.
Key Advantage 02
Industry Network
Compared with other agency directories and platforms, AdForum is alone in dedicating part of its activity to talent. Various marketing experts, largely marketing consultants, have a section where they can be listed and find clients by exposing themselves and showcasing their skills. AdForum aspires to create an industry community on its platform. Talent-community features enrich AdForum and differentiate it from its direct competitors, but it should be noted that competing with multiple, similarly narrow-focused platforms such as UpWork, The Dots, or LinkedIn seems a tough challenge. While being active across many categories, AdForum should not lose its focus on its strategic features.
Pricing
Quite expensive for advanced features
Marketers have free access to the agency directory but need to pay a subscription for the Creative Library.
The Ad Forum directory offers basic listings free of charge, but there are paid plans available that promise to increase your agency’s visibility and drive better lead generation results. For example:
- Starter $63/month or $750/year
- Plus $321/month or $3,850/year
- Premium $459/month or $5,500/year.
Pricing
Quite expensive for advanced features
Marketers have free access to the agency directory but need to pay a subscription for the Creative Library.
The Ad Forum directory offers basic listings free of charge, but there are paid plans available that promise to increase your agency’s visibility and drive better lead generation results. For example:
- Starter $63/month or $750/year
- Plus $321/month or $3,850/year
- Premium $459/month or $5,500/year.
