The podcast for leaders of creative agencies who want to work on their business as confidently as they work in it.
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Chip Griffin and Gini Dietrich share practical advice for PR and marketing agency owners build better businesses.
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Conversations with Leaders and Founders of Marketing Agencies, sharing wisdom on how they built their company, lessons they wish they knew when they started, and marketing and agency strategies for the months and years ahead.
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We look to understand how the very best marketing agencies motivate and lead their teams. We interview inspiring agency owners and leaders who are bucking the typical trend and getting outstanding scores in the AgencyBenchmarker research. If you want to run a brilliant agency with stunningly productive and engaged people then this is the podcast for you.
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Managing remote workers without micromanaging
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22:07In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the ongoing challenge of managing remote workers in the PR and marketing agency world. Five years after most agencies leaned in to remote or hybrid work models, many owners and managers continue to struggle with finding the right approach to managing employees that they don’t see in person every day. Chip and …
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In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the practical uses and pitfalls of AI in agency lead generation and business development. They criticize the common misuse of AI for impersonal, high-volume outreach, which often results in off-putting and ineffective communication. Instead, they advocate for leveraging AI as a tool to enhance efficiency in ta…
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Embracing Change and AI in Photography With Stewart Cohen
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23:19Stewart Cohen is the Director and Photographer at SCPictures, a full-service production company catering to the advertising and marketing world. With a passion for the power of images and video in shaping brand identity, Stewart is known for capturing genuine moments from the viewer's perspective. Originally from Montreal, he pursued a career in ph…
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What freelancers should know before they become agency owners
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16:58In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the transition from being a freelancer to an agency owner. They delve into the common fears and challenges associated with hiring employees and emphasize the importance of having structured processes and systems. The episode also explores topics such as the strategic direction of a business, handling pricing m…
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AI and Data-Driven Marketing: Scaling Business Growth With Irina Papuc
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22:18Irina Papuc is Co-founder and Managing Partner of Galactic Fed, a growth marketing agency specializing in strategic growth solutions for companies of all sizes. A CERN physics researcher turned digital marketer, Irina co-founded Galactic Fed to bring a scientific approach to the marketing agency world. With a passion for fostering a remote-first co…
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How to get your team the mentorship they need
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19:16In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of mentorship for small agency employees. They explore various approaches including informal and formal mentorships, organic development of mentor-mentee relationships, and bringing in external consultants for mentorship. Gini shares her personal experiences, highlighting the challenges of force…
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AI no threat to agency employees learning fundamental skills
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18:45In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the complaint from owners that AI is preventing junior employees from learning how to do their jobs the right way. They refute arguments that AI is detrimental to learning the fundamentals, comparing it to outdated technologies like fax machines and card catalogs. They advocate for embracing AI, citing its eff…
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The value of getting satisfaction from client work
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19:56In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of satisfaction from the work you do for clients, both for agency owners and their teams. They explore how satisfaction can drive motivation, the significance of setting boundaries with clients, and the need for purpose in work. The conversation emphasizes the balance between achieving satisfact…
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Should your agency pivot to a new focus amid economic shifts?
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18:04In this episode, Chip and Gini address the topic of pivoting for small agencies in response to changing economic and political climates. They discuss the importance of evaluating whether to switch niches, cautioning against overreacting to trends. They highlight the risks of chasing ‘gold rush’ industries like cannabis and AI without true expertise…
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Should your small agency be subcontracting for larger agencies?
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20:39In this episode, Chip and Gini dive into the topic of agencies doing subcontracted work for other agencies. Both share their personal experiences of starting and growing their businesses through such work. They discuss the advantages, such as faster decision-making processes and the opportunity to work with big clients without direct procurement ha…
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Mastering Client Staffing for Small Agency Success
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20:06In this episode, Chip and Gini tackle the challenges of staffing, particularly in response to landing a large contract. They discuss a Reddit user’s question about managing a $2 million account and emphasize the importance of involving key team members throughout the business development process, rather than afterward. The hosts advocate for a tier…
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What the Q4 SAGA Survey tells us about agency talent
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23:03In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the findings from the SAGA quarterly survey of small agency owners. They cover insights on optimism in business outlook despite recent challenges, with a focus on talent-related issues such as compensation, retention, and recruiting. They delve into some surprising statistics, such as one in five agency owners…
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Agency owners need to put themselves in other people’s shoes
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25:08In this episode, Chip and Gini delve into the importance of empathy in agency management. They emphasize the need for agency owners to put themselves in the shoes of clients, prospects, and employees to improve communication and relationships. Key points discussed include handling difficult client conversations, managing scope creep, billing practi…
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Inside Superdigital’s “Anti-Agency” Approach With Biz Hennigan
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22:28Biz Hennigan is a Partner and General Manager at Superdigital, a creative agency known for shaping brand identities and producing engaging content for notable clients like Microsoft Xbox. With over 15 years of experience, Biz has leveraged her deep understanding of consumer behavior to achieve significant growth for Superdigital, including leading …
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Should your agency charge new clients a startup fee?
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18:47In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the complexities of pricing strategies for agency engagements. They explore whether agencies should charge more upfront for initial work, the importance of consistent revenue, and creative approaches to managing client expectations and financials. The conversation emphasizes understanding client perceptions an…
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Strengthening your PR agency’s role in business decisions
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18:24In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss PR professionals wanting a seat at the table when it comes to business decision-making. They explore the need for PR professionals to build relationships across departments, understand business dynamics, and communicate openly with other stakeholders. The conversation emphasizes the value of collaboration, lea…
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What to do when clients don’t get your agency what it needs to succeed
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22:23In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the common challenges agencies face in obtaining timely feedback and necessary information from clients. They explore strategies for improving communication, managing client expectations, and the importance of having difficult conversations to maintain strong client relationships. The conversation emphasizes t…
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Are you playing with fire as an agency owner?
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22:40It’s business as usual in their 250th episode, as Chip and Gini continue to share their unvarnished opinions. At the risk of this being their last episode, they have once again chosen to tell you what you’re doing wrong as an agency owner. The hosts share specific examples of agency owners breaking or ignoring rules that they don’t like — or that c…
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In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss strategic planning for growing an agency in 2025. They stress the importance of planning during Q4 and consistently gathering ideas throughout the year, whether digitally or using methods like post-it notes. They highlight the common mistake of agencies relying solely on referrals or word-of-mouth without proa…
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In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the critical aspects of onboarding new clients in the agency world. They emphasize the importance of setting clear expectations, proactive communication, and understanding client processes. The conversation includes tips for achieving quick wins without overburdening clients, integrating with client systems, a…
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In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of having clear alcohol policies in agencies. They explore the evolving norms of alcohol consumption in professional settings, the necessity of having written rules, and the implications for office events, client meetings, and expenses. Drawing on their experiences and insights from expert Patri…
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In this episode, Chip and Gini explore the challenges of ageism within the PR and marketing industries, with a focus on agencies. They discuss the stereotypes associated with older professionals, particularly concerning their perceived familiarity with platforms like TikTok. They emphasize the value of experience and the misconceptions around the c…
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Q3 agency owner survey shows overall optimism, but dissatisfaction with state of business development
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26:08In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss results from the SAGA Q3 Agency Owner Survey. Despite a difficult year, the survey reveals widespread optimism among small agency owners regarding future revenue and profit growth. However, there is a noted contradiction, as not as many respondents plan to increase headcount. The discussion highlights agency o…
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Building a Global Agency From the Ground Up With Tim Kelsey
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26:28Tim Kelsey is the Managing Director of Pronto Marketing, a web development and marketing agency specializing in building, supporting, and promoting WordPress websites for small businesses. Over his 14-year tenure at Pronto, he has grown from an entry-level role in SEO to now overseeing a diverse team of over 90 members spanning Central and South Am…
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Why one-size-fits-all advice doesn’t work for agencies
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19:42In this episode, Chip and Gini dismantle the myth that agency management can rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. They emphasize the importance of understanding the diversity and unique needs of different types of agencies, such as PR, ad, and digital agencies. Chip and Gini discuss their experiences in various agency environments and highlight th…
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Turning agency reporting into a profit center
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19:52In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of effective reporting for agencies. Many agency leaders view reports as a necessary evil, but when done right they can actually become an important contributor to profits. Chip and Gini recommend auditing existing reports to eliminate unnecessary ones and creating meaningful reports that direct…
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Unlocking the Secrets to Agency Growth With Marcel Petitpas
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31:35Marcel Petitpas is the CEO and Co-founder of Parakeeto, a consultancy dedicated to optimizing agency profitability. With roles such as Head Strategic Coach at Dan Martell and former COO at Gold Front, he leverages his experience as a strategic coach and consultant to aid agencies and SaaS in operational and profitability optimization. As a sought-a…
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Using LinkedIn effectively to grow your agency
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23:51In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the pros and cons of using LinkedIn for agency growth and professional engagement. They touch upon the challenges of spam and overautomation, and emphasize the importance of personalized, thoughtful interactions. They also share strategies for repurposing content, such as tailoring blog posts to different audi…
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In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the pivotal role of trust within agency teams. They explore common scenarios where agency owners struggle with trusting their employees, often due to micromanagement tendencies, ill-defined roles, or unrealistic expectations. They emphasize the importance of clear communication, proper onboarding, and creating…
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Unlocking agency potential by asking “So What?”
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21:07Agencies sometimes find themselves mired in micromanagement, worried about the wrong things, or presenting ill-considered solutions to clients. Much of this can be avoided by asking “So What?” more often. In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of that one question and how it can lead to more effective decision-making for agency owner…
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Leeann Leahy is the CEO of The VIA Agency, an independent creative agency based in Portland, Maine. With a background in account planning and strategy, Leeann transitioned into agency leadership, championing creativity, fun, and strategic thinking in her approach to advertising. Her commitment to innovation and employee engagement has propelled VIA…
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In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of email marketing for agencies. They emphasize that email newsletters should be a top priority for agencies to nurture leads, share content, and maintain direct communication with clients. The conversation highlights the risks of relying solely on social media platforms, which can change or dis…
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What to do when your agency can’t avoid responding to an RFP
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21:58If you’re a regular listener, you know that Chip and Gini have strong feelings about staying away from RFPs when possible. But sometimes they can’t be avoided. In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss offer practical tips for handling RFPs efficiently, like templatizing repeat information, asking insightful questions, and focusing on building relatio…
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In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss whether PR agencies should report to the head of communications or the head of marketing. They reference a LinkedIn post by Parry Headrick, which suggests that PR agencies should ideally report to the communications lead. Chip and Gini explore various considerations such as the size and structure of the client…
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Have agencies listened too well to the “be strategic” mantra?
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18:29For years, agency advisors like Chip and Gini have implored agencies to be strategic and avoid being simple order takers. Owners were told that this shift was key to increasing profitability and client retention. But has it gone too far? In this episode, Chip and Gini examine whether agencies have hit ‘peak strategy’ as suggested recently by Blair …
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In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the widespread apprehension about AI in the agency world, urging listeners to embrace the technology rather than fear it. They emphasize that AI will not replace jobs but will change the nature of work, making tasks more efficient and allowing for more strategic focus. The conversation also explores how agency…
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Strategies for Smarter Agencies With Jason Therrien
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25:31Jason Therrien is the Founder and CEO of thunder::tech, an integrated marketing agency specializing in digital marketing, brand strategy, and advertising. Since 1997, he has been an entrepreneurial force in the Great Lakes region, creating impact as an investor, board member, and civic volunteer. His dedication to problem-solving and value-driven r…
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Are you finding biz dev harder in 2024 than you expected? In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the increased risk aversion and prolonged decision-making processes among clients and prospects in the agency industry, especially in light of economic uncertainties and the 2024 U.S. election. They emphasize the importance of agencies adapting by provi…
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“If an employee is too critical to take vacation, your problem isn’t the employee.” In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of ensuring that no one in an agency, including owners and key employees, is too indispensable to take time off. They explore the belief versus reality of being irreplaceable, and provide actionable strategies fo…
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Mitigating the Legal Risks of AI Content With Sharon Toerek
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37:12Sharon Toerek is the Owner and Founder of Toerek Law, where she dedicates her practice to advising independent marketing and creative services agencies on protecting and monetizing their intellectual capital. A marketing law attorney with extensive experience in copyright, trademark, and content protection, Sharon offers strategic counsel on licens…
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Don’t sugarcoat it when writing up a job description or interviewing potential new hires – painting a rosy picture that doesn’t match reality will only cause you headaches down the road. In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of being open and honest about work expectations at your agency, including hours, tasks, and working conditio…
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Agencies need to adapt to effectively manage Gen Z employees
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17:29Gen Z employees tend to have a different (not worse!) approach to their jobs than the older generations do. Which means that as an owner, you need to evolve the way you communicate with and manage them. In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss those differences and the importance of effective communication and feedback in managing and leading. They h…
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