Performance management If you are having problems with your provider, possibly due to dissatisfaction with your account manager or failure to meet certain targets, then it is important to give them an opportunity to improve the service (just as you would wish a client would afford you a second chance). Depending on the size of the provider, then it may be relatively straight forward for them to change the team looking after you and solve the problem.
Compare this to having to manage the poor email list performance of an employed marketing manager. Ease of exit If you do find that you wish to discontinue the arrangement, then there should be a clear and straightforward notice period set out in your contract. It is likely to be much simpler than terminating the employment of marketing staff. Making it work One issue that often crops up when discussing outsourcing is that of location and the disadvantage of staff being based off-site.
Any large firm with multiple offices is unlikely to have a marketing person in each office and they function with a matrix of responsibilities. Of course there are advantages to having someone working in the same office, however pro-active marketers have to make time for marketing anyway and the right attitude of mind means that location is not really an obstacle.