Get ready, because I may be knocking on your door, cubicle wall, or other human container very soon.

The search for viable targets in the Dallas marketing agencies category certainly leads to … some exceptional marketing of the marketing agencies. I may be a bit slow on the uptake, but I am certainly impressed to the point of reading further – articles like “The End of Link Building as We’ve Known and Loved It” brings to light changes I observed in my website creation last year. The Google formula has changed for the better – incredibly better. That article is published by SQ1, an agency that, while it doesn’t appear to employ photographers, is an important read for those of us in the website design and marketing of those sites on a micro scale.

I would have to be living under a rock to not know the size, scope and power of The Richards Group in Dallas, Texas. Although I have been in to talk to art buyers there, it was during the dark times of 2008-2009, when new dynamics were sweeping through the entire US ad media landscape. Frightening was the general vibe. What a great place with a site that opens with my mantra, “Let’s Go Have Fun.”

Digging into the search further, and the focus is definitely on marketing via web > social networking > blogging and e mail marketing. Whether or not an agency like Agency Entourage is interested in integrating photography / video into their overall plans, it would seem like a logical step in adding value and services. So many people don’t have the first clue about how to feed their beast of a site for the benefit of themselves and others.

It certainly is creatively refreshing to peruse sites like Duncan Day and the sidebar in their blog contains plenty of great retweets related to the business of media.

Somewhere else along the spectrum is ACC Agency, which definitely has a more modest look, but certainly delivers on the creative side. Anyone who takes the time to consider the ramifications of the Weinermobile has to be good.

So many agencies seem to be short-changing their clients, with the generic stock images these days. It’s not like the clients can’t afford quality photography, if they can afford quality agencies! I have plenty of stock images that sell, but they have always been in pretty innocuous categories. Live by the sword. Die by the sword.

I do like the diversity and realism of the imaged Triad Business Marketing uses for their clients like Alcoa, Huck and LeTourneau.

These agencies talk a lot about targeting, and it makes me wonder just how often they are targeted – by photographers. It certainly is a worthwhile exercise in search and targeting for the new year. I will be taking a look at the smaller markets, and drilling down to the smallest market right here in the home town. Dallas is certainly next door, but I wonder what Houston has to offer?

All I know for sure is, every day is a winding road.