In 1781, James Watt created the term “horsepower” to compare the output of steam engines to the power of draft horses. The formula was simple: Work divided by Time.
In 2026, the formula for your marketing shouldn’t be any different.
High “Marketing Horsepower” isn’t about how much you spend; it’s about the velocity of your results. As we enter a year defined by rapid AI integration and shifting consumer privacy, it’s time to ask: Is your agency actually pulling the weight, or are they just part of the parade?
The Horsepower Formula: $P = \frac{W}{t}$
In a marketing context, Work ($W$) is your conversion volume and brand equity, and Time ($t$) is your go-to-market speed. If your agency takes three months to launch a single campaign, your horsepower is low, regardless of how “pretty” the creative looks.
Workhorse vs. Show-Pony: The C-Suite Checklist
Use this checklist to evaluate if your current marketing setup is built for endurance or just for ego.
| Feature | The Workhorse Agency | The Show-Pony Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting | Focuses on “Bottom Line” (Revenue, CAC, LTV). | Focuses on “Vanity Metrics” (Likes, Impressions). |
| Communication | Proactive problem-solving and trend-spotting. | Reactive; only speaks when there is a fire. |
| Technology | Integrated AI and automated workflows. | Manual processes and “we’ll get to it” tech debt. |
| Transparency | Clear view of spend and attribution. | “Black box” reporting with hidden margins. |
| Speed | Agile sprints and rapid testing. | Long lead times and “analysis paralysis.” |
Auditing Your Systems for 2026
If you want to increase your horsepower this year, you need to look at the “engine” (your internal systems).
- The Fuel: Is your data clean and actionable?
- The Transmission: Does your CRM talk to your ad platforms seamlessly?
- The Exhaust: Are you identifying and cutting “waste” spend that isn’t driving growth?
Is Your Marketing Stuck in Neutral?
You shouldn’t have to guess if your marketing is working. If you aren’t seeing the gallop-paced growth you expected for 2026, it’s time for a professional diagnostic.
Get a Free 2026 Brand Audit
We will take a look under the hood of your current digital presence, audit your agency’s performance, and tell you exactly where you’re losing power.
Book a 15min session with Kathryn Main to Claim Your Free Audit Now
