On Sept. 18, 2007, the American Association of Advertising Agencies Board of Directors adopted a new position paper, "Best Practice Guidance: Agency Search Agreements." In this new position paper, the AAAA recommends that agencies execute new-business agreements with client prospects at the outset of every new business review.

The position paper reviews background and considerations associated with client search and agency new-business activities. The best practice guidance recommends that agreements covering confidentiality, ownership of ideas and work, and participation compensation be executed for all new business-agency search reviews. The paper also provides an illustrative Agency Search/New Business Agreement form.

For more information, and to download a complete Tool Kit of New Business-related resources, please visit the AAAA Web site or click here.