| Criteria | In-house | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Speed to skill | Hiring lag | Immediate specialised capacity |
| Cost shape | Salary + tools | Retainer / project fees |
| Focus | Deep company context | Cross-brand pattern recognition |
| Flexibility | Fixed capacity | Scale up/down with needs |
Verdict
Early teams often win with a sharp agency partner plus an internal owner. Hire in-house specialists when volume and institutional knowledge justify a full-time seat.