About the model.🥛

What exactly is a Fixed Fee Creative Party?

A subscription to executive-level creativity. You pay one fixed amount per month and get access to Executive Creative Direction & Design. No hourly rates, no surprises, no bureaucracy. Think Netflix, but for your creative needs.

How does the subscription work?

You choose a fixed monthly fee, get access to our online platform (werk.metmelk.nl) where you can brief and track projects. We focus on one project at a time and clearly communicate timelines via the platform. Cancel monthly, no long contracts.

What do you mean by "one project at a time"?

We give each project full attention instead of juggling ten deadlines. Your project gets focus from start to delivery. Once it's done, we move to the next in line. This ensures better quality and faster turnaround.

Can I really cancel monthly?

Yes. We believe in flexibility. Just like with your coffee - without or with milk - you decide if you want to stay or stop. No hassle, no penalties, no drama.

However, we prefer a minimum of three months. The first month is always about getting to know each other. Months two and three can usually be used most effectively - that's when you know each other and the collaboration runs smoothly.

Can I start halfway through the month?

Yes, you can. When joining mid-month, you pay half the monthly cost. However, a full consecutive month is then mandatory. This gives both of us a good view of the subscription, collaboration and creativity.

What happens at the end of each month?

You receive a monthly overview with:

  • Work delivered (what we've completed)

  • Comparison with regular agency costs (what this would normally cost)

  • What it delivered/saved

  • Possible action points for next month

  • Opportunity to evaluate the collaboration and online work environment

Full transparency, always.

Pricing & Packages

What does it cost?

We have two price points:

  • Brands: €6,000 per month (ex. VAT)

  • Agencies: €8,000 per month (ex. VAT)

When subscribing for three months, you get €500 discount on all three months.

What happens after approval?

After approval, you receive an SLA (Service Level Agreement) and the met melk. playbook. This contains all agreements, working methods and the small rules. Then follows an onboarding where we familiarize you with the platform and collaboration.

Do I really save money compared to an agency?

Yes. On average, you save 40 to 50% on regular agency costs. Often you've recouped the monthly costs after just 1 to 2 assignments. Another advantage: for agencies and brands, it's like hiring an Executive Creative Director without having them on payroll - no recruitment costs, no training time, no fixed overhead.

What's included in the subscription?

Everything in the field of Executive Creative Direction & Design: brand strategy, campaign concepts, visual identities, creative direction, concept & design for launches, brand guidelines, positioning - you can ask for it.

What's NOT included in the subscription?

Productions and third-party costs fall outside the subscription. Think: photoshoots, video productions, specialist illustrations, print work, development, media budget. We can manage these for you with a 15% margin on third-party purchase costs.

Do I get extras with my subscription?

Absolutely! Within your subscription you enjoy:

  • The already famous met melk. cap 🧢

  • Free creative sessions

  • Proactive inspiration and trends

  • Direct access without intermediaries

Process & Platform

How does the collaboration work?

Everything runs through our online platform at werk.metmelk.nl. You give a briefing, we get to work, you follow progress and give feedback. Direct contact with the team, no account managers between you and creativity. Efficient and transparent.

How quickly will I get my first project delivered?

Timelines are clearly communicated via the online platform and depend on complexity. A campaign concept can be delivered within a week, a complete rebrand we divide over several weeks. We always keep you informed.

Must timelines be respected?

Yes, from both sides. We communicate realistic timelines and stick to them. We also expect deadlines for feedback and approvals to be respected, so we can continue to work efficiently.

When are you available?

met melk. works Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:30. Weekends are closed - even creativity needs rest to stay sharp.

Do I need to come to Rotterdam for meetings?

No, you don't have to. We work completely remote via our platform. Want to visit our playground along the A20 anyway? You're always welcome for a cup of coffee - with or without milk, of course.

For whom & Why


Is met melk. suitable for in-house teams?

Yes! In-house teams can use met melk. for strategic reinforcement, fresh perspectives or extra creative firepower on large projects. You know the brand from within, we bring external expertise and executive-level thinking. We also train in-house team members to sharpen their skills.

Do you also work for agencies?

Absolutely. We strengthen agencies that need executive creative capacity without hiring a Creative Director permanently. Perfect for strategic guidance on specific projects or as creative firepower during peak times. No recruitment costs, no training time, no payroll - but executive-level expertise on demand.

For whom is met melk. NOT suitable?

We're not the right fit if you:

  • Are looking for daily ad-hoc support

  • Run campaigns with 20+ assets per week

  • Are not looking for executive-level thinking

What makes you different from a freelancer?

Three things: (1) Executive-level experience with agency background, (2) structured process via platform instead of loose emails, (3) predictable budget without hourly billing stress. Plus: SLA, playbook and professional onboarding.

What makes you different from an agency?

We're complementary to agencies, not the replacement. The difference: (1) flexibly deployable without fixed personnel costs, (2) monthly cancellable instead of long retainer contracts, (3) focus on one project at a time for maximum attention. Ideal for brands and agencies wanting executive-level creativity without recruitment.

Expertise


Who is CJ de Melker?

Creative Director and Entrepreneur with 25+ years of experience. Built rebrands for NIBC and Woonstad Rotterdam, campaigns for Hans Anders, Schouten & Nelissen and Aethon, positioning for scale-ups like Testalize.me and The Kingfish Company. Co-founder of BRNDCRMBS (sold to Label A/ACE) and VENGEAN. He understands both the creative and business side.

Do you also work internationally?

Yes, no problem. Our working method and platform are built for remote collaboration. English or Dutch - both work fine.

Getting Started


How do I start?

Get in touch via the contact information as shown in the footer. We'll schedule a non-committal introduction call where we see if there's a good fit and which package suits you.

Is there a waiting list?

We deliberately work with a limited number of clients to guarantee quality. Until December 2025, there are still some spots available in the pilot phase.

How we grow: For every four subscriptions, we hire a new creative. They take those four clients under their wing - and the majority of their subscription fees becomes their salary. This creates direct responsibility and ownership. Skin in the creative game. Healthy growth, guaranteed quality, party continues.

Can I do a test project first?

The subscription is monthly cancellable, so essentially every first month is a test. Often you've recouped the costs after just 1 to 2 assignments. We believe in our model and the quality we deliver - if it doesn't click, you simply stop. Zero drama.

What if I have questions not listed here?

Send a message via the contact form or email cj@metmelk.nl. We always respond within 24 hours. And yes, also with energy and a smile.