We were lucky to catch up with Rasha Hamzeh recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rasha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back at the decisions you made early in your career, particularly whether to join a firm or start your own, do you feel you made the right choice for that stage of your career?

Last year, I made the decision to start my own agency called The Inhouse Agency. The backstory to this decision is rooted in my journey through some incredible foundations at multinational groups like JGroup, Havas, and OMD. While these experiences provided me with a solid grounding and invaluable knowledge, I often found myself plateauing.

My bosses struggled to retain me as I continuously felt the need for more challenges and opportunities for growth. Eventually, I realized that the traditional 9-to-6 structure didn’t suit me because I was never fully satisfied; I always craved more diversity and dynamism in my work. This realization led me to the conclusion that I didn’t quite fit into the conventional agency mold, where you’re often assigned to specific clients and teams.

Starting The Inhouse Agency allowed me to break free from these constraints. Looking back, I know it was the right choice because owning my agency means working with different clients and scopes, and there’s always an element of change and excitement. This variety and the continuous evolution keep me engaged and driven, which was something I could never quite achieve in a more traditional agency setting.

This first year was challenging but exhilarating. Building something from the ground up required immense dedication, but it also allowed me to mold my career in a way that truly fits my aspirations and work style. I had the freedom to innovate, diversify my portfolio, and create a work environment that fosters continuous growth and satisfaction—elements that were crucially missing in my previous roles.

In summary, starting my own agency was the best decision for me, as it allowed me to harness my full potential, keep things dynamic, and consistently strive for excellence across various projects and clients.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those who may not have read about me before, my name is Rasha Hamzeh, and I am a passionate marketing and advertising professional with a rich history in the industry. My journey began as a marketing research graduate at Saatchi & Saatchi, where I delved into understanding consumer behavior and market trends. This foundational experience was pivotal as it ignited my passion for the intricacies of marketing.

I then transitioned to a media representative role with JGroup, where I spent four years honing my skills in media sales and client relationship management. Seeking new challenges and opportunities, I relocated to Dubai and joined Havas. This move marked a significant shift as I transitioned into the world of media agencies, working with prestigious luxury brands such as Coty, Chanel, and Puig.

My journey continued at OMD, where I dedicated nine years advancing from media buying to strategic media planning. This period allowed me to develop a comprehensive understanding of the media landscape, strategic planning, and execution of large-scale campaigns. After a rewarding stint at OMD, I decided to explore the client side, becoming a partner and head of marketing for a company. In this role, I established a solid foundation, positioning the company as a leading eCommerce disruptor in the industry.

Despite these accomplishments, I felt a persistent need for more – more creativity, more challenges, and more impact. This drive led me to establish my own agency, The Inhouse Agency. At The Inhouse Agency, we act as the internal arm of our clients, catering to all their marketing and advertising needs with a focus on transparency, proactivity, and creativity.

Within just one year, we have managed to secure large, prestigious brands such as Dubai Airport and Mitsubishi. We have built great relationships, established credibility, and developed a strong portfolio of clients. What sets us apart is our commitment to working closely with our clients, understanding their unique needs, and delivering tailored solutions that drive results.

I am most proud of the trust and partnerships we have cultivated with our clients. Our approach is deeply rooted in understanding our clients’ businesses as if they were our own, ensuring that every strategy we develop is aligned with their goals and objectives. This dedication to our clients’ success is what fuels our own growth and drives us to continually push the boundaries of creativity and innovation in marketing and advertising.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that The Inhouse Agency is here to provide exceptional marketing and advertising services that not only meet but exceed expectations. Our team is passionate, dedicated, and ready to tackle any challenge with fresh, innovative ideas. We believe in the power of collaboration, and we are committed to helping our clients achieve their vision and drive their business forward.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Throughout my career, one of the key factors that has helped me build a strong reputation within the market has been my commitment to being opinionated and genuine in my relationships. While this approach may not always align with the political dynamics inside large corporations, it has proven to be exceptionally effective with clients and suppliers who value complete transparency and a straightforward approach.

From the beginning, I’ve always believed in cutting through the noise and being honest about my thoughts and opinions. This authenticity has allowed me to build trust with my clients and suppliers, who appreciate knowing exactly where I stand. They know that when I give my opinion or advice, it’s not filtered through layers of corporate politics, but rather it’s genuine and aimed at achieving the best results for them.

The Power of Transparency
In the world of marketing and advertising, transparency is often a rare commodity. Many clients have had experiences with agencies that over-promise and under-deliver, leading to frustration and mistrust. By being transparent and honest, I’ve been able to differentiate myself and my agency. Clients and suppliers know that I won’t sugarcoat the truth or hide behind jargon. Instead, I provide clear, candid insights and realistic expectations, which helps in making informed decisions and building strong, long-lasting relationships.

Surprising Support
When I made the decision to start my own agency, The Inhouse Agency, I was overwhelmed by the support I received from people in the industry. Colleagues, clients, and suppliers who had worked with me over the years reached out to offer their help and support. Many of them expressed their belief in my abilities and were not surprised by my decision to go out on my own.

This outpouring of support was both humbling and encouraging. It showed me that my approach to building genuine relationships and being transparent had not only been effective but had also left a lasting impression on those I had worked with. This network of supporters has been invaluable in helping me navigate the challenges of starting and growing my own agency.

Building Great Relationships
The strong relationships I’ve built over the years are a testament to the importance of being genuine and transparent. These relationships are based on mutual respect and trust, and they have provided a solid foundation for my agency. Clients know that they can rely on me to give them honest advice and to work tirelessly to achieve their goals. Suppliers know that I will negotiate fairly and that I value long-term partnerships over short-term gains.

Looking back, I realize that being opinionated and genuine has been one of my greatest strengths when at times I thought it was one of my biggest weaknesses.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I started in media buying, the primary goal was always to drive conversions, optimize performance metrics, and negotiate hard with suppliers to get the best rates. Success was measured by immediate returns, and the focus was on squeezing every ounce of value from each campaign and supplier. This approach, while effective in delivering short-term results, often sidelined the importance of creativity and building sustainable, long-term relationships with clients and partners.

In the hustle of meeting quarterly targets and proving ROI, creativity often took a back seat. Campaigns became formulaic, and the emphasis was on replicating past successes rather than innovating or thinking outside the box. The relationships we built with suppliers and clients were transactional, aimed at achieving immediate goals rather than fostering lasting partnerships.

Turning Point:
The turning point for me came when I transitioned into the client side as a partner and head of marketing for a company. Here, I had the opportunity to see the bigger picture and understand the long-term impact of our marketing strategies. I realized that while short-term metrics were important, they were not the sole indicators of success. Creativity, innovation, and strong relationships were equally, if not more, crucial.

Embracing a New Perspective:
Starting my own agency, The Inhouse Agency, was the culmination of this realization. I wanted to create a place where creativity was at the forefront, and where long-term objectives and genuine partnerships were valued just as much as, if not more than, short-term performance metrics.

At The Inhouse Agency, we approach every campaign with a balance of creativity and strategic planning. We focus on building deep, meaningful relationships with our clients, understanding their long-term goals, and working collaboratively to achieve them. Our negotiations with suppliers are not just about getting the best rates, but about creating partnerships that are mutually beneficial and sustainable.

Inspiring Change:
This shift in mindset has not only made our campaigns more innovative and impactful but has also led to more satisfying and enduring relationships with our clients and partners. By unlearning the overemphasis on short-term metrics, I’ve learned to embrace a more holistic approach to marketing and advertising—one that values creativity, long-term success, and genuine collaboration.

Looking back, this lesson has been one of the most valuable in my career. It has allowed me to build an agency that truly understands and meets the needs of our clients, while also fostering an environment where creativity thrives and long-term goals are always within reach. This change has not only made our work more fulfilling but has also driven greater success for both our clients and our agency.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasha.hamzeh/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rasha-hamzeh/