Agency review · Australia
King Kong review
Established Melbourne digital marketing agency with comprehensive services but traditional retainer pricing. We compare it with a performance-aligned model that ties our success to your results.
- Melbourne, Australia
- Founded 2014
- 51-200 employees
- kingkong.co
Compare a performance-aligned quote
See how pricing that moves with your results compares to a fixed King Kong retainer.
Agency models compared
Two ways to work with an agency
King Kong is a powerhouse for mass-market lead generation. We respect their hustle.
Their high-volume, process-driven model has delivered results for thousands of Australian businesses. But their 12-month lock-in contracts and fixed retainer structure isn't for everyone. If you need a partner who focuses on profit rather than just volume, and who shares risk with you, here's how the models compare.
King Kong
Established digital marketing agency
Agency information
Key highlights
- One of Australia's most successful digital marketing agencies since 2014
- Over 7,000 client reviews and $7.8 billion in tracked sales
- Large team with diverse expertise across digital channels
- Comprehensive full-service digital marketing support
- Proven processes refined over 10+ years
- Strong brand presence and marketing authority
The Lock-In Factor
King Kong typically requires 12-month contracts with fixed monthly retainers. This provides them with revenue certainty, but means you're committed regardless of performance. At 3P Digital, we offer month-to-month flexibility with fees that scale based on results. If we underperform, you automatically pay less.
A real result from our performance-aligned model
A Construction (building) client we worked with under our performance-aligned model. These are their real numbers, not a projection.
1.2% to 4.7%
Conversion rate (+292%)
$247 to $91
Cost per lead (63% lower)
47 to 21 days
Sales cycle (55% shorter)
Who each model suits best
King Kong's traditional model
Fixed 12-month retainer
Traditional retainers provide budget certainty and access to established teams. You know exactly what you are paying each month, which makes financial planning straightforward.
Works well for:
- Established businesses with predictable budgets who value consistency
- Companies who prefer fixed costs for easier financial planning
- Businesses who want a large, established team with proven processes
- Clients who value the security of working with a well-known brand
- Organisations seeking comprehensive, full-service support
3P Digital's flex-retainer
Performance-aligned, month to month, no lock-in
The flex-retainer aims to reduce risk during the ramp-up phase and lets you invest more confidently when results are strong. If we underperform, we aim to charge you less.
Works well for:
- Growth-stage businesses who want agency costs to scale with results
- Performance-focused companies who prefer variable costs tied to outcomes
- Businesses seeking reduced fees when campaigns underperform
- Clients who want to invest aggressively when campaigns are winning
- Organisations seeking a true risk-sharing partnership with their agency
Side by side
How each pricing model works
A transparent look at how each model plays out in practice.
| Factor | King Kong (traditional retainer) | 3P Digital (flex-retainer) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee structure | Fixed retainer ($4,000+) | Variable retainer (adjusts with KPIs) |
| Underperformance | Full payment still required | 20 to 50% fee reduction |
| Target performance | Full payment | Full payment |
| Overperformance | Same payment (no shared upside) | Increased payment (shared upside) |
| Budget predictability | High (fixed cost) | Medium (adjusts monthly) |
| Risk allocation | Client carries the risk | Both share risk and reward |
| Performance alignment | Fees not tied to outcomes | Built into the pricing structure |
| Best for | Budget certainty, established brands | Dynamic investment, growth focus |
How the flex-retainer works
When results fall short of expectations, our fees reduce automatically. No awkward conversations needed.
Hit the agreed targets and you pay the full retainer. Fair pricing for meeting the KPIs.
Exceed the targets and you invest more, but the return justifies it. We share in your success.
See your custom pricing scenario
Get a personalised comparison showing how your agency investment would adjust under different performance scenarios with our flex-retainer model.
Making your decision
Which model fits your business
Neither model is inherently better. The right choice depends on your situation, risk tolerance and growth stage.
King Kong's traditional retainer suits you if:
- You need predictable monthly costs for financial planning
- You value working with an established, well-known brand
- You prefer the security of a large team and proven processes
- You want comprehensive, full-service support
3P Digital's flex-retainer suits you if:
- You want agency costs to move with results
- You are happy to invest more when performance is strong
- You prefer a risk-sharing partnership model
- You want to invest with more confidence when campaigns are winning
Questions to ask any agency (including us)
- 1How do you measure success, and how is that tied to your fees?
- 2What happens if campaigns underperform in the first 3 to 6 months?
- 3Can you show me case studies with specific, real numbers?
- 4How do you handle disputes about whether KPIs were achieved?
- 5What is your process for scaling investment when campaigns are working?
Want to explore the flex-retainer model?
See how your agency investment could adjust under different performance scenarios, with no lock-in contract.
Frequently asked questions
Questions, answered honestly
Common questions about King Kong and how a performance-aligned model compares.
Looking for a performance-aligned partner?
Most agencies bill a fixed retainer whether results land or not. Our model is performance-aligned, month to month, with no lock-in contract.
Traditional agencies
- Fixed monthly retainer, regardless of results
- Often locked into long-term contracts
- You carry the risk during the ramp-up
The 3P Digital model
- Performance-aligned investment that moves with results
- Month to month, no lock-in
- We aim to share the risk, not just the upside