Production company vs creative agency

By Adi and Eric

People ask this a lot. The quick answer is that a creative agency shapes the idea and a production company makes the idea. Real projects are messier, so here is how we see it from both sides.

What a creative agency focuses on

Adi: Agencies start with the why. Who are we speaking to. What do we want them to feel or do. We explore routes, tone, and story so the message lands with real people, not just in a deck.

Typical outputs:

• Strategy and positioning

• Creative routes and scripts

• Mood boards and references

• Channel plan and content calendar

• Measurement plan

When it helps:

• You are not sure what to say yet

• You want options to test with stakeholders

• You need a platform neutral idea that adapts to different formats

What a production company focuses on

Eric: Production is the how. Crews, schedules, kit, permissions, safety, and clean workflows in post. This is where planning and craft turn the idea into something you can publish.

A good crew can rescue a rough day, but no one can rescue a weak idea.

Typical outputs:

• Budget and schedule

• Casting, locations, permits, logistics

• Direction, cinematography, sound

• Edit, grade, mix, VFX, subtitles

• Final masters and versioning

When it helps:

• The concept and script are signed off

• You have dates, budget, and deliverables

• You want consistent quality across all outputs

Where they overlap

Plenty of agencies produce. Plenty of production companies help shape ideas. The labels matter less than the outcome. The best jobs pair a clear message with practical execution from the start.

Common pitfalls we see

• Shooting before the idea is locked, which leads to reshoots

• Writing concepts that ignore time, budget, or permissions

• Treating social cutdowns as an afterthought

• Forgetting accessibility needs like captions and safe text areas

How to choose for your project

• No clear brief yet: Start with a creative agency(Media Worx haha) to define the message and agree a route

• Brief and script approved: Go to a production company(Media Worx again) to execute well

• Seed of an idea and fixed budget: Use a partner who can right size the idea, then produce it

Planning is the cheat code

Plan it right and the day runs smoothly. Upfront clarity saves time, protects performance, and keeps the footage clean.

What to lock early:

• One page that states the goal, audience, deliverables, budget, and timeline

• A feasible route that fits the locations and time you actually have

• A shot list that matches the schedule, not the other way round

• A post plan that covers formats, aspect ratios, captions, and deadlines

What matters most

Adi: Story first. If the story is clear, everything else stands a chance.

Eric: Craft and logistics. If the plan is solid, the set stays calm and the work looks better.

That is the difference in plain terms. One shapes. One makes. Get them talking early and most problems shrink.