Agency Introduces Mandatory Eye-Contact Surcharge for Client Briefing Sessions
Ponsonby-based creative shop, The Synergy Collective, has officially rolled out a new pricing structure for 2026 that includes a tiered premium for direct ocular engagement. Following a internal audit of billable focus, the agency found that account managers were providing an average of forty-five minutes of uncompensated intimacy per workshop. Under the new guidelines, a casual glance is included in the base retainer, but sustained gaze lasting over three seconds will incur a high-frequency focus fee. The agency claims this move protects the emotional labor of its staff who are tired of staring into the void of mid-market insurance rebranding projects.
To facilitate the rollout, the agency has installed biometric sensors in the boardroom ceiling that track pupil dilation and blink rates. Clients who attempt to bypass the surcharge by wearing dark sunglasses will be moved to the lower-cost Peripheral Vision package, where the creative director only speaks to their shoulder. The agency spokesperson noted that looking someone in the eye while explaining why a logo needs to be three pixels smaller is a premium service that demands a premium price point. They have also invested in a specialized optometrist to treat the staff for a new condition they call Budgetary Stare Fatigue.
The initiative also includes a specific clause for the dreaded Zoom call. Clients who leave their cameras off will receive a ten percent discount, while those who use the blurred background feature will be charged a mystery fee for the psychological distress of wondering if the client is sitting in a messy kitchen. The Synergy Collective believes this transparency will lead to more efficient meetings. If a client cannot afford to look the lead designer in the eye, they can simply stare at the office fern for the duration of the presentation. This is considered the eco-tier of creative consultation.
To facilitate the rollout, the agency has installed biometric sensors in the boardroom ceiling that track pupil dilation and blink rates. Clients who attempt to bypass the surcharge by wearing dark sunglasses will be moved to the lower-cost Peripheral Vision package, where the creative director only speaks to their shoulder. The agency spokesperson noted that looking someone in the eye while explaining why a logo needs to be three pixels smaller is a premium service that demands a premium price point. They have also invested in a specialized optometrist to treat the staff for a new condition they call Budgetary Stare Fatigue.
The initiative also includes a specific clause for the dreaded Zoom call. Clients who leave their cameras off will receive a ten percent discount, while those who use the blurred background feature will be charged a mystery fee for the psychological distress of wondering if the client is sitting in a messy kitchen. The Synergy Collective believes this transparency will lead to more efficient meetings. If a client cannot afford to look the lead designer in the eye, they can simply stare at the office fern for the duration of the presentation. This is considered the eco-tier of creative consultation.