Boy I think you got this wrong! Big is not necessarily the future for a start so why work to maintain a place in this particular star-studded firmament? Nor is the focus on agency growth the answer.  

Agencies need to focus on growth for their client. When they succeed at this, they will enjoy growth themselves. The causes mentioned are perhaps more accurately symptoms.

A possible and viable solution would be re-establishing trust between the people involved, agency and client. If clients have trust then the growth and profit will follow. People are a point of differentiation - not just creatives, but all people involved.

Medium, message and measurement are all equal in delivering results. To state creative is the critical differentiation is to try and take us backwards to when creative was the sacred cow.

Alternatively we could go forward saying "it’s creative, plus media, plus measurement". To use the vernacular, “We need youse all”.

Which is why agencies have a voice to be heard. The good ones know that - they practice it and their client relationships are testament to it.

Agencies, irrespective of size, are much admired and regarded by their clients when the client knows the people are there for them.  They are good at their craft, they listen and want to understand the business and the challenges, they are indefatigable and the old statement applies, “they treat our money like their own”.  In short, they are trusted. 

These craftspeople can assert their expertise anywhere - which is where independents come from, why consultancies are succeeding, why in-housing can make sense and why media owners enjoy direct relationships.

Talented teams who are trusted? That’s not a redesign, just due recognition. And that’s where growth comes from.