The Independent Agency Search & Selection Company (IAS) signals a strong post-COVID market rebound, creating 621 opportunities for agencies in its most recent financial year—the highest number since the pandemic hit and a 45% year-on-year growth.

These aren't vanity statistics. Each opportunity represents a tangible moment: a pitch invitation, a tender alert, a timely referral or a well-placed recommendation. It’s a system built over time—part proactive, part forensic—and it's entirely intentional.

"We don't just wait for briefs to land on our desk," explains Johanna McDowell, CEO of IAS. "We actively seek out opportunities, shape them where we can and get them in front of the right agencies."

Beyond Traditional Pitch Management

While most pitch consultants simply manage the process, IAS hunts upstream. The company flags missed tenders, tips off suitable agencies about emerging pitches and introduces clients to specialists without RFP complexity.

This spans all disciplines—creative, media, PR and digital. Whether IAS manages the pitch or simply spots an opportunity, the focus is intelligent matchmaking.

The company is careful to clarify that all agencies are eligible for their pitch rosters, typically including between 12 and 20 agencies in the initial long list—and reducing that during the process to a maximum of three in the final pitch. However, tender alerts and under-the-radar leads are reserved for subscribing agencies—a distinction that reflects IAS's targeted approach rather than blanket broadcasting.

Public Sector Growth

The public sector has also taken notice. IAS is working with certain public sector clients, which have battled sluggish agency responses to tenders. This is partly due to frustration with lengthy and complicated procurement processes. Also, like most government departments, they often don't know all the correct agencies and rely on posted tenders to generate responses.

"We know which agencies should be pitching," notes McDowell. "Target the right agencies to the right tenders, and everyone wins."

Industry Momentum

The 45% year-on-year growth isn't just an internal success metric—it signals industry momentum. Agencies are ready to pitch. Marketers are moving budgets. IAS sits at the intersection, ensuring opportunities aren't missed.

The 621 opportunities represent active opportunity creation, not passive process management. In an industry where the right brief meeting with the right agency transforms businesses, that distinction matters.