Creative Campaigns Face Challenges: 97% of Agencies Report Budget Overruns, Delays, and Creative Constraints.

A new survey from Project Management Institute (PMI) found that 97% of marketing and advertising agencies faced major campaign challenges in the last year, including going over budget, overdue deadlines, and constraints on creativity. Creative leaders believe great campaigns rely on great project management, and 90% agree that project managers allow organizations to focus on driving growth and ensure campaigns contribute positively to the brand. Project management professionals are now seen as team motivators and strategic leaders, and agencies are doubling down on hiring and training them to drive creative momentum.

A new survey by the Project Management Institute (PMI) has shed light on the significant challenges faced by marketing and advertising agencies in the past year. According to the survey, 97% of respondents encountered major campaign challenges, including budget overruns, delayed deadlines, and constraints on creativity [1].

The survey, conducted among 130 U.S. marketing and advertising agency professionals, found that a third of campaigns (34%) failed to resonate with their target audience or generate new leads (35%). Creative leaders believe that great campaigns rely on effective project management, with 90% agreeing that project managers enable organizations to focus on driving growth and ensure campaigns contribute positively to the brand [1].

The survey also revealed that project management professionals are increasingly viewed as team motivators and strategic leaders. While most agencies rely on project managers to keep projects on track (60%), more than half (52%) believe their greatest impact lies in energizing creative teams. As creative work becomes more complex, agencies are doubling down on hiring and training project management professionals to drive creative momentum [1].

Despite the rise of AI and automation, agencies are prioritizing human talent over tools. Nearly all (98%) say they are growing their project management capabilities through talent, not tools. This shift underscores the importance of skilled, empowered professionals in delivering successful campaigns [1].

The survey found that teams led by certified project managers outperform those without certification, delivering stronger results and audience-aligned campaigns. This highlights the value of project management skills in enhancing marketing effectiveness [1].

The findings of this survey emphasize the critical role of project management in navigating the complexities of modern marketing. As economic uncertainty persists, marketing leaders are reallocating resources towards digital platforms with measurable ROI, away from traditional channels [2].

References:
[1] https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-wire-news-releases-pmn/97-of-agencies-faced-major-creative-campaign-challenges-according-to-new-pmi-survey
[2] https://www.vistage.com/research-center/customer-engagement/marketing-strategy/20250610-marketing-in-2025/