New business, without the pitch.
Shortlist brings qualified projects to agencies, studios and independents in outdoor, sport and lifestyle. Add yourself to the map for free, then apply to become a vetted partner. When a brief fits, you’re one of up to three partners we introduce, with the reasons you were chosen. You talk to the client directly, and pay only if you sign.
How it works
- 1
Add yourself to the map
Free and open to anyone working in outdoor, sport and lifestyle. Brand Report readers can find you.
- 2
Apply to the network
Share your work, your scale and how you like to work. Every application is reviewed by hand, with a short call if it’s a fit.
- 3
Receive a Brief
When a project fits, you see the summary and accept or decline. Each Brief goes to up to three partners, and declining never counts against you.
- 4
Make the match
Talk to the brand directly from the first call. You pay half a success fee, and only when you sign.
Five dimensions.
More than 40 signals.
Vetted once. Matched on fit, every time.
We look at scale and team, industry and culture, strategic and creative stance, values and chemistry, and capability and experience. So the Briefs you receive are ones you’re built for, and the brands you meet know why you’re there.
Successful creative partnerships share these qualities.
Fit before portfolio
The right scale and the right chemistry matter as much as the right experience.
A clear brief
Agreement on the problem before anyone proposes a solution.
A real budget, a real decision
Stated up front, and decided on time.
Ideas are paid work
No one is asked for creative before they’re hired.
The people you meet do the work
The team in the room is the team on the project.
Direct and honest
Brand and partner talk to each other from the first call, and everyone hears why, win or lose.
Put yourself on the map.
Any agency, studio or independent in outdoor, sport and lifestyle can add themselves, free. To be considered for projects, apply to the network.
- Agency
- Studio
- Independent
FAQ
What is Shortlist?
Shortlist is Brand Report’s service for matching outdoor, sport and lifestyle brands with the right creative partner. It isn’t a marketplace: there are no profiles to scroll, no bids and no pitch fees. A brand tells us about a project, and we introduce up to three vetted agencies, studios or independents, each with the reasons it fits.
How do I join?
Start by adding yourself to the map, which is free and open to anyone working in the category. To be considered for projects, apply to the network of vetted partners. Every application is reviewed by hand, followed by a short call if it’s a fit.
How much does it cost?
Joining the map, applying to the network, receiving a Brief and meeting the brand are all free. When you sign, you and the brand split a success fee on the contract value, half each. The rate falls as projects grow, each side pays at most 5% of the contract, and follow-on work is never charged.
How do Briefs reach me?
When a qualified project fits, we send you a summary of the Brief and you accept or decline. Each Brief goes to up to three partners, and declining never counts against you.
Will I talk to the brand directly?
Yes, from the first call. Once you accept an introduction, you get the brand’s contact details and the relationship is yours.
Does paying for anything affect who gets introduced?
No. Payments never affect who joins the network, who gets introduced or what the Index covers. Partner Features are always labeled as sponsored.