3rd + Lamar Review: A Performance Marketing Powerhouse That Delivers

Ever worked with a marketing agency that says they’ll elevate your brand but ends up delivering cookie-cutter campaigns that barely move the needle? I’ve been there—until I discovered 3rd + Lamar, a performance marketing and production agency that genuinely walks the talk.

Specializing in high-growth businesses, DTC brands, and startups, 3rd + Lamar merges storytelling prowess with performance-driven strategies. Their unique approach—treating brands like media companies—ensures content isn’t just created but optimized for real impact. After collaborating with them, here’s why they’ve become my go-to for scalable, creative marketing.

1. Storytelling Meets Performance: A Rare Hybrid

Most agencies excel at either creative storytelling or data-driven performance—rarely both. 3rd + Lamar bridges the gap seamlessly.

• Rich Production Capabilities: From premium lifestyle videos to polished stills, their in-house production quality rivals top studios. One client noted their videos became evergreen assets, usable for years.
• Performance-Optimized: They don’t just make pretty content—they embed it with conversion hooks. A DTC brand saw app installs and sign-ups spike after integrating their videos into campaigns.
• Influencer Marketing Frameworks: They built an SOP for influencer campaigns that demystified the process for a startup, turning guesswork into measurable strategy.

Minor Critique: Early-stage startups might need more hand-holding to align with their fast-paced execution.

2. Project Management: Flexibility Without Flakiness

Agencies often overpromise on communication but underdeliver. Not here.

• Responsive & Adaptive: Whether via Slack, email, or Zoom, their team syncs effortlessly. One client praised their ability to "operate autonomously" after initial onboarding.
• Deadline-Driven: Multiple reviews highlighted on-time, on-budget delivery—even when curveballs arose.
• Tools That Work: They integrate smoothly with Asana, Trello, or your preferred system, avoiding workflow friction.

Room to Grow: A few clients mentioned a slight impatience with slower-moving stakeholders (though their urgency usually pays off).

3. Startup-Savvy: They Speak "Scale" Fluently

If you’re a startup, their experience is gold.

• Growth Mindset: They helped a client launch a revenue-generating program from scratch—something internal teams lacked bandwidth to tackle.
• Cost-Effective Creativity: Unlike agencies that nickel-and-dime, they deliver "a ton of value at a reasonable price point" (a direct client quote).
• Proactive Problem-Solving: When leads stagnated, they pivoted quickly, though one client wished for even more proactive iteration.

Pros & Cons at a Glance

✅ Strengths:

• Unmatched hybrid of creative production and performance marketing.
• Startup-friendly with scalable strategies.
• Transparent, deadline-driven project management.
• High-quality assets that drive measurable results (e.g., +36% email open rates).

⚠️ Considerations:

• Best for clients ready to move fast (may chafe with slower decision-makers).
• Early communication may need tightening for complex org structures.

Final Take: A Partner, Not Just a Vendor

3rd + Lamar isn’t just another agency—they’re extensions of your team. Clients repeatedly call out their willingness to "go the extra mile," join planning sessions, and treat small businesses with the same care as enterprise clients.

If you want a partner who blends artistry with analytics, and hustle with heart, they’re worth a serious look. Just come prepared to collaborate—their best work happens when you trust their expertise and let them run.