David Wiggs presented on his blog post "10 Things Winning Agencies Don't Say."  

The 10 statements are in short:

1. Clients are wrong.
2. Clients don't get it.
3. Clients are stupid
4. the work they have us doing is crap.
5. They's rather see us go out of business than pay us what we're worth.
6. We should fire those $&^#*@.
7. They don't respect us.
8. They don't appreciate our brilliance.
9. This RFP is a piece of crap.
10. This budget hardly makes it worth the work.
    (I encourage you to check out his discussion about each)

I'll admit that I have heard each of these 10 statements made at some point in time at any of my agency clients.

However, I do believe that the client has some accountability for these statements.  I also believe (and know) that clients make equally hurtful statements.

The underlying cause of these statements has nothing to do with the abilities of the agency nor the client.  It really has to do with the relationship that has become inherent within the Advertising Industry.  Instead of working together as partners, the relationship has become more like that of a bickering married couple on the verge of divorce.  Each is more concerned about finding fault in the other; not sharing information so that they retain control of the situation; and criticizing minute points instead of focusing on the bigger picture positives.

I will be addressing this issue in greater detail in the near future, but I hope David's post will start the Industry (both clients and agencies) to think about what we are really trying to accomplish and how we can begin a new future for our Industry. 

The first step that an Agency can take is to stop being "Hired" like an employee and start being a professional service that is engaged with by the client.  Start ACTING like a professional service and you will start being treated like one.