Production plans often change through the process—which means advertising production costs change, too. So, why aren’t more budgets transparent about these shifts? 

At Maidstone, we believe that transparency and communication are crucial when it comes to production budgets. Our goal on every project is to establish trust, adjust to cost changes, and ensure all stakeholders receive fair compensation—efficiently and seamlessly. That's why we offer asset reconciliation and cost consulting services focused on creating and upholding accountability throughout the production process. 

Our cost consulting services are designed to ensure that you are receiving the best possible value for your investment. If you’re used to budgets being an arduous task, we’re here to prove they don’t have to be. Here are a few examples of how we work with brands and agencies as an ad production cost consultant:

• Establish a cost-plus, fixed-fee model: We use a cost-plus, fixed-fee (CP/FF) model that considers the total cost stated on the bottom of the AICP bid and ensures that it does not exceed the placeholders within the approved budget. This model helps us provide a clear and accurate understanding of the costs associated with your project, so there are no surprises down the line.

• Set CP/FF Protocols: We set CP/FF protocols for all productions, which we collaborate on with the agency and any relevant stakeholders during the pre-bid process. This allows us to communicate the job's CP/FF protocols and ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding the ad production cost. 

• Evaluate vendor bids: We evaluate vendor bids and estimated advertising production costs based on the CP/FF model, ensuring that there are no hidden costs or potential for unexpected overages. 

• Asset reconciliation: After the job is completed, we review every production invoice and actuals in comparison to estimated costs to confirm any overages or underages. If there are overages, we communicate them to the vendors and production companies to ensure fair compensation. If there are underages, we ensure necessary credits are provided, helping to establish trust between all stakeholders.

Our cost consulting services provide you with the tools and insights you need to manage your advertising production costs effectively. As a trusted cost consultant , Maidstone helps you stay on budget while receiving the highest value for your investment.