Bringing PPC programs In-House

Need suggestions. Thanks.

[skuba]

One of my clients has been using an agency to manage their PPC campaigns, whether it's with Google, Yahoo, Feeds to Froogle and Yahoo Search Submit.

The relationship with the agency is not good, we don't have enough control of campaigns and bids. It always take so long to include new creatives, new keywords, change bids, etc...

We are considering bringing the PPC programs in-house, but the agency agreement has a clause that prohibits us going directly to the SEs (PPC programs) for 3 months.

How could we get around it? We want to be able to manage our own campaigns.

We would like to find a tool for campaign and bid management, but we would manage it.

But maybe one work around is to find a vendor that would join the program for us, and after 3 months hand us the management.

Anybody in a similar situation?

Thanks so much for your feedback.

Skuba

[skuba]

Wait, is this the PPC forum? hmmmm?
Nobody has any opinion or suggestion?

Thanks

[Web Footed Newbie]

Same situation here, but the term is different.
First, regardless of what your contract may or may not say, your PPC campaigns are your campaigns. Gather all current reports on campaigns, keywords, and creatives and daily budgets so that when you cut the noose, you have everything you need to conduct business as usual. Since I don't know your particular situation as to whether you are paying the PPC costs on your behalf or they are paying it for you and billing you for it, getting the information before saying goodbye is a good idea.

Know what your contract says. If you have a 3 month notice clause, tell them you are not happy and give them there 3 month notice via overnight letter. Make it specific that you want to take the campaign over immediately but will still pay the 3 month of fees. It is not required to tell them why or give them a chance, just say it didn't work out.

Then take control of your own campaign. No one has the right to control YOUR campaigns. The exit strategy in most PPC management contracts is so the vendor does not loose consulting income while you are switching to in house. Next time, negotiate a 30 day out, that's what we did.
Hope that helps,
WFN

[skuba]

Hey, thanks for your input.

I am not worried about the campagins and keywords, as I do have all master lists, and I know we own that. Actually I created a lot of the ads and chose keywords.

Once of my concerns is that we will loose all CTR aquired in Google. Once we setup a new account, wether thru an agency or directly with the PPC program, we will be starting from zero, and probably paying 50% more for a keyword to rank in the same position we're ranking before.

Do you agree?

Thet other situation is not that we have to give 3 months notice, we can actually leave them tomorrow if we want, but we can open an account directly with the PPC program provider for 3 months.

See the difference?

We are thinking about getting a company that provides a bid management tool and consulting, then they could open an account in their names, but transfer it to us after 3 months. I guess...?

ANy ideas?

Thanks

It's a difficult situation.