COMMON CONCERNS
We'd be wondering about a few things too. Let's see if we can answer your questions.
That's awesome! Cartel isn't here to replace what's working - we're here to complement your existing relationships with elite talent you may not have met yet. Great brands evolve, and fresh perspectives can make all the difference.
Cartel isn’t a volume-based marketplace. Gig and portfolio sites serve a different purpose - and they have that covered.
Instead of scrolling through thousands of unvetted profiles, our platform features a small, curated group of top-tier agencies, each with a proven track record of success with global brands.
We don't do open registration. Every agency at Cartel is handpicked based on experience, creative output, strategic thinking, and professionalism. You can also review portfolio selections right on their Cartel profile.
You’re not sifting through hundreds - or even thousands of options - you’re reviewing proposals from the best. Quality is built into the process.
Great! Cartel is designed to work with your internal workflows. You stay in control of every step. We just simplify them.
Cartel is completely free for clients. There are no membership fees, access charges, or hidden costs.
Nope. Agencies don't pay to join or stay on Cartel. A small commission is collected only when a project is successfully completed. Everyone's incentives are aligned.
Absolutely. Agencies set their own pricing when submitting proposals. You can message them directly through your dashboard to discuss budget, scope, timeline, and expectations, just as you would with any strategic partner.
No. Your projects are private and visible only to your team and our partner agencies.
This isn’t a contest or open forum - just tailored pitches from qualified partners.
Cartel offers neutral support if something goes off-track. Whether it’s a scope question, payment delay, or communication hiccup, we’re here to help resolve it quickly and fairly.
That’s exactly why Cartel exists - not to replace your process, but to enhance it. We give you faster access to pre-vetted, high-performing creative partners so you can expand your client’s options without compromising your control or credibility.
Gig and portfolio sites have their purpose, and they've already got that covered. Instead of a volume-based marketplace with thousands of unvetted profiles to scroll through, Cartel exists to expand your reach with vetted, high-performing agencies that understand how to support consultant-led work.
Our group of elite agencies have proven track records delivering exceptional work for top-tier brands.
Every agency at Cartel is handpicked based on strategic thinking, creative excellence, and real-world results.
We don't do open enrollment, and we don't operate at scale. Our curated agencies belong on your shortlist!
You can also review select work right on their Cartel profile.
Perfect. Cartel is built to support your flow. Upload a brief, receive structured proposals, compare partners, and manage communication - all in one place - while maintaining your process and client relationship.
Not at all. You lead the engagement, define the criteria, and manage the relationship. Cartel stays in the background to streamline administration and reduce friction. Think of us as a strategic utility - there when you need us, invisible when you don’t.
Cartel is completely free for consulting firms and their clients. There are no membership fees, access charges, or hidden costs.
Absolutely. Agencies set their own pricing when submitting proposals. You can message them directly through your dashboard to discuss budget, scope, timeline, and expectations, just as you would with any strategic partner.
Nope. Agencies don't pay to join or stay on Cartel. A small commission is collected only when a project is successfully completed. Everyone's incentives are aligned.
Only if you want them to. You can present Cartel as part of your toolkit - or simply use it behind the scenes.
Our presence is minimal by design, but please note that the platform is white-glove, not white-label.
Cartel - and our partner agencies - take confidentiality seriously. You can upload your NDA during brief submission and request that all responding agencies sign your standard agreement before accessing sensitive details.
If you'd prefer to keep the brief general until agencies express interest, that works too.
Every agency on Cartel has experience working under strict non-disclosure agreements with high-level clients.
Yes. Whether you're planning a multi-phase rebrand, integrated campaign, or collaborative, multi-agency effort, Cartel can help streamline that process. You can:
- Break the project into individial phases
- Keep everything under a master brief
- Invite multiple agencies to contribute to one initiative.
Everything stays centralized - proposals, communication, and deliverables - so nothing gets lost in the shuffle.
If you have a complex project structure, we’d be happy to work with you to tailor the experience.
Absolutely. If you'd like your firm’s name or logo included in communications, templates, or pitches, just mention it in your project details or in discussion with your creative partner.
We’re here to support your client-facing efforts in ways that enhance your credibility and streamline your process - not distract from it. We'll work together to keep the focus on outcomes - not the agency or the platform.
Many partner agencies are also happy to help format proposals into polished, consultant-ready decks if you’re presenting directly to your client.