• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, May 8, 2009

SendTec VP-search marketing Janel Landis said it’s really tough for agencies to determine whether to participate in an RFP, because all too often, clients are simply fishing for ideas.

“There are a lot of people out there who fish. That’s just the nature of the business,” she said recalling a client request to help troubleshoot a search problem with its current agency. SendTec complied, but once it provided the solution, she said, “We couldn’t get them back on the phone. That’s so frustrating.”

Resolution Media VP-strategic partnerships Tom Kuthy, said one solution is the “mutual NDA,” or non-disclosure agreement.

“When we sign and NDA, we make it a mutual NDA,” he advised. “What you give us we will hold in confidence, and what we give you, you will hold in confidence.”