The NDA Podcast Creativity & Cashflow
Jun 25, 2025
Max Ottignon, co-founder of Ragged Edge, shares his experience managing a creative business during tumultuous times. Caterina Bianchini, co-founder of Studio Nari, discusses the financial hurdles small studios face. Together, they explore the struggles of pricing strategies and the impact of shrinking budgets on creative work. The duo emphasizes the need for transparency, adaptability, and clear client communication while navigating economic uncertainties. Their insights paint a revealing picture of the creative landscape amidst rising costs and evolving client expectations.
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SME Studios Face Hiring Challenges
- Small to medium studios struggle with rising taxes and regulations like IR35 affecting full-time and freelance hiring.
- These external factors significantly impact their ability to attract and retain great talent.
Post-COVID Unpredictability Anecdote
- Max Ottignon describes the unpredictability post-COVID causing planning and resourcing headaches.
- Won projects would take months to start, making revenue forecasting and delivery difficult.
Creativity Often Commodified on Price
- Many agencies compete on price, commodifying creativity and causing a race to the bottom.
- Agencies need to better explain their value and justify pricing to clients focused on numbers.