Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This time, host Drew McLellan teams up once again with research partner Susan Baier from Audience Audit to unpack the findings from the highly anticipated 2026 Agency EDGE study. Together, they examine how AI is impacting agencies and, more importantly, the shifting expectations and priorities of agency clients in this rapidly changing landscape. Drew and Susan discuss how clients' attitudes toward AI have evolved dramatically over ...
Host Drew McLellan discusses the crucial identity shift required for agency leaders to transition from talented employees to confident owners. Drawing on experiences from various agency owners, he highlights the mental and emotional work involved in embracing radical responsibility for the business's outcomes. The episode explores three key lenses: developing a growth mindset, evolving from a technician to a true entrepreneur, and adopting an ownership mentality, providing practical steps and insights from "owner confessions" to help leaders build a thriving agency.
Executive business coach Trevor McGregor, drawing on his experience with leaders like Tony Robbins, identifies five critical barriers hindering agency scaling: limiting beliefs, lack of strategic vision, inadequate systems, poor time management, and an execution gap. He provides practical strategies like the "four S's" (state, story, standards, strategy) and emphasizes the importance of accountability and reconnecting with one's core passion to drive tangible growth, impact, and personal freedom.
Agency owner Caitlin Studdy details her journey to building over 500 AI automations, streamlining operations from hiring to client onboarding and freeing up valuable brain space. She explains how necessity led her to embrace automation, improving efficiency and team satisfaction, and discusses how AI has expanded these possibilities. The episode also covers identifying automation opportunities, starting with simple workflows, and the future potential of AI, including examples like an AI-powered hiring bot and personal productivity automations.
Welcome to another episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan sits down with virtual event expert Kevin Sanderson to unravel the secrets behind leveraging online summits to grow your agency—and your client's business. With over 30 virtual summits under his belt, Kevin Sanderson brings his firsthand knowledge of creating, marketing, and monetizing virtual events, making this episode a must-listen for agency owners seeking innovative ways to expand their reach. Kevin Sanderson...
Welcome to a new episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, Drew McLellan invites Yoni Kozminski, CEO and co-founder of Escala, for a candid and transparent discussion that takes you behind the scenes of agency operations, scalability, and owner independence. Drew opens up about AMI's own journey towards better systems and processes, and together, they explore what it really takes to future-proof an agency so it can thrive through to 2030 and beyond. In this episode, you'll hear Yoni Kozminski...
Welcome to another energizing solo episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan draws on his 25+ years of agency experience to deliver both a rallying cry and a clear-eyed reality check for independent agency owners: the chaos swirling around AI, consolidation, and economic uncertainty isn't the threat it appears to be — it's an invitation. For owners who are willing to evolve, this may be the best decade in history to run an independent agency. Diving deep into the macro forc...
Welcome to another episode of Build a Better Agency! Host Drew McLellan sits down with Emily Thompson, marketing manager at CoSchedule, to unpack the just-released AI Impact 2026 research study. With 900 respondents spanning every industry, company size, and marketing level, this is one of the most comprehensive looks at how marketers are actually using AI today and what they plan to prioritize in the year ahead. Despite reporting declining ROI across every major channel in 2025, a striking 79% ...
Drew McLellan and John Hall explore critical growth drivers shaping the future of agencies. They demystify generative AI's impact on lead generation and visibility, highlighting how specificity is key for agencies. The conversation extends to the importance of innovation outside technology, niche specialization for competitive advantage, and the power of authentic industry communities for both business success and mental well-being. Finally, they delve into harnessing data and new technologies to provide unrivaled client insights, emphasizing how embracing change and a positive mindset are crucial for future-proofing agencies.
Welcome to the latest episode of Build a Better Agency! Host Drew McLellan is joined by the powerhouse team of Robin Boehler and Stephen Boehler from Mercer Island Group for an eye-opening discussion about their new book, "It's Not About You: Winning New Business in a Crowded Agency World." With decades spent guiding both agencies and clients through the agency selection process, Robin and Stephen bring unique insider perspectives to today's conversation—perspectives that just might change the w...
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan is joined by talent acquisition expert Kat Duncan for a deep dive into the ever-evolving art and science of hiring in today's agency world. If attracting and retaining top talent has ever felt daunting, you're in the right place—Kat Duncan brings over two decades of recruiting experience and actionable advice for agency leaders looking to build standout teams. Together, Drew McLellan and Kat Duncan expl...
Welcome to another insightful solo episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan draws on his 25+ years of agency experience to tackle a game-changing reality for agency owners: the ways buyers find, vet, and select agencies have shifted—and your approach needs to shift too. Based on the latest industry research and buyer behavior data, this episode serves as both a wake-up call and a practical roadmap, ensuring your agency is "future-proofed" for today's—and tomorrow's—client ...
This episode features Julian Goldie, an innovative SEO agency owner, discussing his journey to reinventing his business through AI automation. He shares practical applications like automating outreach to cut costs and scale revenue, emphasizing the importance of a streamlined tech stack and rigorous quality control. Julian also highlights how AI can generate new revenue streams and position agencies as industry thought leaders by documenting their AI journey.
Welcome to another episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan sits down with agency owner and behavioral science expert Nancy Harhut to unlock the hidden forces behind human decision-making—and how they impact your agency's marketing success. Drawing on her years of experience and her deep dive into the psychology of persuasion, Nancy brings a fresh perspective on why people do what they do—and how marketers can ethically harness those instincts to drive action. In this epis...
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan is joined by returning guest Noel Andrews, the founder of JobRack, to explore a dynamic trend that's reshaping the way agencies build and cultivate their teams. Together, they dive into the growing movement of hiring full-time international team members from regions like Eastern Europe and South Africa—and the significant impact this is having on agency culture, client results, and operational efficienc...
Drew McLellan and AI strategist Cade Dannels discuss transforming agency operations using AI, moving beyond simple content creation. They cover practical strategies for onboarding AI like a new employee, utilizing an agency's unstructured data, and implementing AI for smarter lead qualification and personalized outreach. The conversation emphasizes experimentation, human oversight to ensure authenticity, and engaging teams to discover AI's full potential for profitability.
Drew McLellan emphasizes that investing in professional development is no longer optional but a critical strategic imperative for agencies. He shares data demonstrating how learning boosts employee retention, profitability, and prepares teams for evolving demands like AI fluency and strategic client advisory. The episode provides actionable strategies for building a learning culture, budgeting for development, assessing skill gaps, and highlights the crucial role of leadership in modeling growth to avoid high turnover and mediocrity.
Host Drew McLellan and talent expert John Arnold explore the evolving landscape of agency hiring and retention, emphasizing the critical human element amidst technological shifts. They discuss data-driven strategies, ideal interview processes, and managing generational work-life balance expectations. The episode offers actionable insights for building a stronger, more resilient agency team.
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan is joined by legendary cartoonist and marketer Tom Fishburne, best known for his "Marketoonist" series that has humorously and astutely captured the nuances of agency life for over two decades. If you've ever laughed (or cringed) at a cartoon that perfectly depicts a creative brief gone wrong or the infamous "shiny object syndrome" in marketing, there's a good chance it was one of Tom's. In this fast-pa...
Welcome to another compelling episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan sits down with special guest Brett Farmiloe, a former agency owner turned SaaS entrepreneur, to unpack the evolving world of PR and media in the age of AI. Together, they dive into the complexities and opportunities that the rapid adoption of AI presents for agencies, especially those aiming to maintain authentic, high-value relationships with journalists and media outlets. In this insightful conversati...
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan tackles the critical—yet often underestimated—legal side of agency mergers and acquisitions. Joined by agency law specialist Sharon Toerek, Drew explores all the ways agencies can better prepare for buying or selling a business and avoid the legal pitfalls that can delay deals, drive up costs, or even kill transactions entirely. Sharon Toerek shares from her first-hand experience helping agencies on bot...
In this solo cast, Drew McLellan prepares agency owners for a pivotal 2026 with five actionable resolutions. He emphasizes carving out dedicated time for deep strategic work and consistent new business development. Key strategies also include holding transparent all-agency meetings with a structured agenda, establishing clear AI policies for internal use and client communication, and intentionally deepening human connections with team members for better retention and morale. This episode provides a roadmap for agencies to thrive amidst evolving market conditions.
This episode features Greg Star discussing how agency leaders can leverage LinkedIn to build authentic personal brands, explaining why individual voices outperform company pages for engagement and business opportunities. He shares his journey, including a battle with brain cancer, which reinforced the power of personal storytelling, and introduces his ghostwriting service and AI tool designed to help busy professionals create consistent, genuine content while avoiding common pitfalls like
Welcome to another can't-miss episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan explores a rapidly evolving strategy that has the potential to shake up the way agencies attract leads and position themselves as go-to experts. Joining Drew McLellan is returning guest Tom Schwab of Interview Valet, who brings groundbreaking insights on how artificial intelligence (AI) tools are influencing audience discovery and client acquisition. In this episode, Tom Schwab pulls back the curtain on...
Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan welcomes brand strategist and agency veteran Ulli Appelbaum to dive deep into the science of brand associations—a topic that's often referenced but rarely explored with the rigor it deserves. If you've ever struggled to quantify the value of your agency's or your client's brand, this episode will provide you with the data-backed frameworks and practical wisdom you've been searching for. Drawing o...
Welcome to another engaging episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan turns the spotlight inward to tackle a challenge many agency owners face but rarely confront: the chaos we unintentionally create within our own shops. Joined by productivity expert and business coach Amber De La Garza, this episode dives deep into the subtle ways agency leaders can become the source of their business's dysfunction—and, most importantly, how they can flip the script to become the calming ...
Drew McLellan explores why agencies feel paralyzed by unpredictability, explaining the neurological basis of our fear of uncertainty. He reframes constant upheaval, from economic turmoil to technological breakthroughs, not as a problem but as a "perpetual renaissance"—an ongoing opportunity for growth. The episode champions community and reciprocal support, likening it to redwoods whose intertwined roots provide strength. McLellan encourages agency leaders to adopt a "giver's gain" mindset, actively sharing knowledge and resources to thrive collectively in an ever-changing landscape and become the trusted guides clients seek.
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan is joined by returning guest Nicole Mahoney, an accomplished agency owner and thought leader renowned for her innovative work in collaboration within the travel and tourism space. Drawing on her 15 years of industry expertise, Nicole shares how strategic partnerships have propelled her agency to new heights—even during challenging times like the pandemic. Together, Drew McLellan and Nicole Mahoney dig d...
Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Build a Better Agency! Host Drew McLellan sits down with Robin Bonn, agency veteran and founder of Codefinery, for a candid conversation that tackles one of the agency world's biggest challenges: true differentiation. Drawing on over two decades of industry experience and insights from his new book, Market of One, Robin unpacks why even the most creative agencies struggle to set themselves apart and how owners can reimagine their businesses for las...
This episode challenges agencies to redefine luxury as a mindset of exceptional client experience, not just material exclusivity. Neen James reveals insights from her research on four luxury mindsets, explaining how understanding these can transform client relationships. The discussion covers practical strategies like adopting a "concierge" approach, systematizing thoughtfulness, empowering employees, and creating "champagne moments" to foster deeper connections and stand out in the marketplace.
