.svg)
Marketing has changed more in the past five years than in the previous twenty. But recruitment? Not so much.
Hiring managers are under pressure to find people who understand analytics, automation and brand storytelling – yet many are still using agency models built for a different era.
In 2025, the smartest companies are asking a new question: should we still be using recruitment agencies at all? Or is it time to move to hiring platforms that offer more control, transparency and speed?
Let’s look at how both models really work – and which one’s winning for modern marketing teams.
1. The agency model: people-first, but process-heavy
Recruitment agencies have one big advantage: people. They build personal relationships and invest in understanding culture fit. That human touch can be valuable – particularly for senior or sensitive hires.
The problem is that the traditional agency model hasn’t evolved much. Most still run on manual workflows: endless back-and-forth emails, spreadsheets, and database searches that depend on individual consultants.
That means hiring takes longer than it should, and communication can be inconsistent. You get high-touch service, but low-speed delivery – a mismatch in a world where good marketing candidates are off the market within days.
Agencies still have their place, but their processes and associated costs can’t keep pace with how quickly modern marketing teams operate.
2. The platform model: fast, data-driven and transparent
Hiring platforms flipped the script. Instead of relying on static databases and consultant bandwidth, they connect hiring managers directly with active, verified marketers through tech-led matching.
You control the process, see talent in real time, and only pay for results. That means fewer surprises, faster decisions and less wasted time.
The key strength is scale. Platforms can instantly surface marketers who match your criteria – from performance specialists to brand strategists – because they’re built on dynamic, always-on talent networks.
And because they’re built for transparency, pricing and process are clear upfront. You know who you’re talking to, what you’re paying for and how long each step takes.
Platforms like Howard take it a step further by focusing purely on marketing talent. That means every candidate has already been vetted for relevant experience and skills, not just keywords.
.svg)
3. Comparing the two models side by side
Here’s how the two approaches stack up when it comes to what really matters in marketing recruitment:
Speed
Agencies rely on manual sourcing and communication, which means it can take weeks to build a shortlist.
Platforms automate much of the process, surfacing relevant marketers within days.
Cost
Agencies typically charge 20–30% of the candidate’s salary, with extra fees often hidden in the fine print.
Platforms use transparent, fixed or pay-for-results pricing that’s easier to forecast and justify.
Candidate quality
Agencies depend on consultant experience and personal networks, which can limit reach.
Platforms draw from verified, live talent networks where candidates are actively engaged and up to date.
Control
With an agency, you hand over the process and wait for updates.
With a platform, you can see candidates, progress and performance data in real time.
Transparency
Agency communication is often limited to summary emails and end-of-process updates.
Platforms give hiring managers full visibility over every step – from matching to interview stage.
Scalability
Agencies are constrained by consultant capacity.
Platforms scale instantly, handling multiple hires without adding complexity or delay.
In short: agencies offer relationship depth, but platforms deliver speed, visibility and value – the exact things marketing teams need most right now.
4. Why 2025 belongs to hybrid, tech-enabled hiring
The best hiring strategies in 2025 don’t choose between humans and technology – they combine them.
Technology handles the heavy lifting: matching, filtering, scheduling and tracking. Humans step in where it matters most – understanding context, assessing fit and building relationships.
That’s exactly how Howard operates. It blends data-led matching with real human expertise, ensuring every candidate recommendation fits both the brief and the culture. You get the best of both worlds: human insight at tech speed.
5. The smarter choice for modern marketing teams
Recruitment agencies won’t disappear overnight, but their model is showing its age. Slow processes, high fees and low transparency are increasingly hard to justify.
Hiring platforms built for marketing are reshaping the industry – faster, fairer and far more aligned with how modern teams actually work.
If you’re still deciding between an agency or a platform, ask yourself one simple question:
Do you want more control, or more admin?
Howard helps you hire exceptional marketing talent quickly and confidently – without the legacy costs or guesswork of traditional recruitment.
Post your first job on Howard for free today.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a recruitment agency and a hiring platform?
Recruitment agencies rely on consultants to manually source and screen candidates, often over several weeks. Hiring platforms use technology to match employers with verified, active talent in real time – giving hiring managers more control and faster results.
Are hiring platforms replacing recruitment agencies?
Not completely. Agencies still have value for senior, confidential or highly niche roles that need hands-on management. But for most marketing positions, platforms are becoming the preferred choice because they’re faster, more transparent and more affordable.
How do hiring platforms find candidates?
Unlike agencies that depend on static databases, platforms connect directly with active professionals who update their profiles regularly. That means employers see fresher talent that’s actually available to hire.
Is Howard a recruitment agency?
No. Howard is a marketing hiring platform. It combines smart matching technology with human insight to help companies hire marketers quickly, confidently and without traditional agency fees.
What types of marketing roles can I hire through Howard?
Everything from performance marketers and brand strategists to content, growth, and digital specialists. Howard focuses purely on marketing roles, so every candidate you see has relevant, verified experience.
