Free Marketing Services Agreement Template
A marketing services agreement defines the relationship between a business and its marketing provider, covering the scope of services, deliverables, fees and intellectual property rights. Use our free UK template to establish clear expectations and protect both parties.
(1) Oakwood Retail Group Ltd (company number 09876543) of 45 King Street, Manchester, M2 4LQ (the "Client"); and
(2) Pixel and Pulse Digital Ltd (company number 12345678), VAT GB345678912 of Suite 3, The Hub, 10 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6PG (the "Agency").
The Client wishes to engage the Agency to supply marketing and advertising services, and the Agency has agreed to supply such services on the terms of this Agreement.
Deliverables: Monthly content calendar; 32 social posts; 4 email campaigns; Google Ads quarterly review; quarterly SEO audit report; monthly reporting deck.
Target audience: UK-based consumers aged 25-45 interested in sustainable fashion and homeware; household income £40k+.
The Agency warrants that the Services shall be performed with reasonable care and skill in accordance with section 13 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, to the standard of a competent marketing agency.
Advertising compliance. All marketing activity produced under this Agreement shall comply with: (a) the CAP Code (UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct and Promotional Marketing) and, where relevant, the BCAP Code (Broadcast) enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA); (b) the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (prohibition of misleading actions, misleading omissions and aggressive practices); (c) the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008; (d) the Trade Marks Act 1994 in relation to use of third-party marks; and (e) all other applicable sector-specific rules (e.g. MHRA rules for medicines, gambling adverts for licensed operators).
Advertising budget. The monthly media / ad-spend budget is £5,000.00 (excluding VAT). The Client shall pay the advertising costs directly to the relevant platforms (Google, Meta, LinkedIn, etc.). The Agency shall not incur any advertising expenditure on the Client's accounts without the Client's prior written approval. Agency commission on media spend: 10% of managed media spend.
Payment terms. The Agency shall issue invoices monthly (retainer / performance) or on milestone completion (project). Payment is due within 14 days of invoice date.
Late payment. If the Client fails to pay any undisputed sum by the due date, statutory interest shall accrue at 8% above the Bank of England base rate together with fixed-sum compensation and recovery costs under sections 5A and 6 of the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, and the Agency may suspend the Services until payment is received.
KPIs (targets, not guarantees): The Agency shall use reasonable endeavours to achieve the following: Minimum 10% YoY increase in website sessions per quarter; email open rate ≥ 25%; average engagement rate ≥ 3%; ROAS target of 4:1 on paid campaigns. The parties acknowledge that KPIs are targets and do not constitute guarantees — in line with the CAP Code rules on substantiation of claims and the well-established position that an agency cannot guarantee placement, ranking or return on paid media. The parties shall review KPI performance at monthly intervals and may adjust targets by written agreement.
Pre-existing IP. Each party's pre-existing intellectual property, methodologies and tools shall remain the property of that party. The Agency grants the Client a non-exclusive licence to use any Agency pre-existing IP to the extent incorporated in the Work Product. Third-party materials (including stock imagery, fonts, music and APIs) are subject to their own licences, and the Agency shall notify the Client of any restrictions.
ePrivacy / direct marketing. The Agency shall comply with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR), including reg 19 (cookies and similar technologies — consent required under Art.7 UK GDPR), reg 21 (live telephone marketing and the TPS register) and reg 22 (email/SMS marketing — prior consent or soft opt-in). International data transfers shall be protected by the UK International Data Transfer Agreement or equivalent safeguards under the Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
On termination: (a) all Fees for Services properly rendered shall be immediately due and payable (including committed media spend); (b) the Agency shall deliver all Work Product, campaign assets, administrator access and data back to the Client in an industry-standard format; (c) each party shall return or delete the other's confidential information; and (d) the Agency shall reasonably assist with the transition of accounts, access and relationships to the Client or its incoming agency at the Agency's then-standard rates.
What Is a Marketing Services Agreement?
A marketing services agreement is a legally binding contract between a business (the client) and a marketing agency or consultant (the provider). It sets out the services to be delivered, the timeline for performance, the fees payable and the rights and obligations of each party.
In England and Wales, marketing services agreements are governed by the general principles of contract law. They are essential for defining the scope of work, preventing scope creep and ensuring that intellectual property created during the engagement is properly assigned or licensed.
Whether you are engaging a British freelance marketer, a digital agency or a full-service marketing firm, a well-drafted UK agreement protects your brand, budget and business interests from the outset across England and Wales.
What's Covered in This Template
This template addresses every key aspect of a marketing services engagement.
Scope of Services
Detailed description of the marketing services to be provided, including channels, campaigns and deliverables.
Service Fees and Payment
Fee structure, payment schedule, invoicing terms and any provisions for additional costs or expenses.
Performance Milestones
Key milestones, reporting obligations and KPIs that the provider is expected to achieve.
Intellectual Property Rights
Ownership and licensing of creative work, content, designs and other IP produced during the engagement.
Confidentiality
Obligations to protect confidential business information, trade secrets and customer data.
Data Protection
Compliance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 when handling personal data for marketing purposes.
Brand Guidelines
Requirements for the provider to adhere to the client’s brand standards, tone of voice and approval processes.
Term and Termination
Duration of the agreement, renewal terms and the circumstances under which either party may terminate.
Limitation of Liability
Caps on liability and exclusions for indirect or consequential losses in line with English law principles.
Non-Solicitation
Restrictions on the provider soliciting the client’s employees or customers during and after the engagement.
How to Create a Marketing Services Agreement
Follow these steps to build a comprehensive marketing services agreement.
- 1
Enter Party Details
Provide the full legal names, addresses and company registration numbers of the client and the marketing provider.
- 2
Define the Scope of Work
Describe the marketing services in detail, including specific campaigns, channels, deliverables and timelines.
- 3
Set Fees and Payment Terms
Specify the fee structure (fixed, retainer or performance-based), payment schedule and any expense reimbursement provisions.
- 4
Address IP and Confidentiality
Determine who will own the intellectual property created and set out confidentiality obligations for both parties.
- 5
Review and Download
Check all terms for accuracy, preview the agreement and download it as a PDF ready for signature.
Legal Considerations
Several legal issues should be considered when entering into a marketing services agreement in the UK.
This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Reviewed for England & Wales law
Intellectual Property Ownership
Under the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, the creator of original work is generally the first owner of copyright in England and Wales. If you want the British client to own marketing materials outright, the UK agreement must include an express assignment of IP rights. Without this, the provider may retain ownership under English law.
Data Protection Compliance
Marketing activities often involve processing personal data in the United Kingdom. Both British parties must comply with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The UK agreement should specify each party’s role (controller or processor) and include appropriate data processing provisions under English law.
Advertising Standards
British marketing content must comply with the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code) and Ofcom broadcasting rules in England and Wales where applicable. The UK agreement should allocate responsibility for ensuring advertising compliance.
Unfair Contract Terms
If the client is a British consumer or small business, certain exclusion and limitation clauses may be subject to the reasonableness test under the UK Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 or the fairness test under the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015 in England and Wales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Create Your Marketing Services Agreement Now
Protect your brand and budget with a professional marketing services agreement. Fill in the details, preview and download your PDF in minutes.
Free · Instant PDF · No account required