Another Agency Is Selling Around You
You hold the SEO retainer. Their PR agency is now recommending a separate AI visibility shop they get a kickback from.
"for consolidation reasons."The line that opens this conversation
Applies when · a renewal, QBR, or budget conversation puts the same line — or a near cousin — in front of you. Substitute your client name, ARR, and tenure mentally; the move stays the same.
Patterns drawn from real conversations. Names, numbers, and details are stripped. These are situations to work from.
Your client at a consumer brand tells you their PR agency is recommending switching AI visibility work to a separate vendor "for consolidation reasons." You know the PR agency receives a meaningful referral fee on the alternative.
Brand has worked with your agency successfully for 18 months
The recommended alternative lacks several deliverables the brand uses weekly
PR agency framing: "simpler stack, easier reporting" - never mentions the referral fee
How you pitch
3 minutes - directly to the brand, with the PR agency on the call. Surface the misalignment without accusing anyone. Let the brand draw their own conclusion.
What makes it exciting
Political minefield between two agencies. Call out the referral fee too early → look petty. Don't surface it → lose the retainer. Time the reveal.