An increasing number of advertising agencies are no longer independent but rather wholly owned by a handful of holding companies. The number of agencies within these holding companies is staggering. When Zulu Alpha Kilo was announced as the 2016 Agency of the Year Gold Medal winner at Ad Age’s Small Agency of the Year awards, we placed an ad within the August issue of Advertising Age. Zulu Alpha Kilo has been 100% independent since opening its doors in 2008. To highlight Zulu’s independence we juxtaposed the family trees of the holding companies against the simple family tree of Zulu. It’s a stark contrast.