Episode 496 Navigating Agency Trends with Lee McKnight
Release Date: 04/07/2025
Episode 513 Lessons in Effective Agency Leadership with Karl Sakas
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan welcomes back agency advisor and author Karl Sakas for a candid conversation about the unique challenges that come with agency ownership—and how to move “from chaos to calm.” Drawing from his years of agency operations experience and his new book, From Chaos to Calm, Karl helps agency leaders recognize how they sometimes get in their own way and offers practical advice for fostering a calmer, more rewarding agency environment. Drew and Karl tackle some of the biggest pain points facing agency...
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Episode 512 Small Moments That Shape Leadership with Jeff Eisenberg
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan sits down with longtime friend and agency leader Jeff Eisenberg for a candid conversation about the art and practice of agency leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned agency owner or new to the business, this discussion is packed with real-world lessons and thoughtful perspectives that will help you elevate your leadership game and set your agency up for lasting success. Jeff shares the compelling journey that led him from sports marketing with major league teams to purchasing and running his own ad...
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Episode 511 How AI is Transforming Brand Storytelling with Park Howell
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan welcomes back storytelling and branding pro Park Howell for an episode packed with practical advice, fresh perspectives, and a live demo you won’t want to miss. Park, a former agency owner turned global storytelling coach, joins Drew to discuss how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way agencies uncover, shape, and operationalize brand stories—making the process faster, smarter, and more tangible than ever before. Park introduces listeners to his latest innovation, the Story Cycle...
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Episode 510 Key Strategies for Employee Retention with Drew McLellan
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful solo cast of the Build a Better Agency podcast! This week, host Drew McLellan takes you deep into a cornerstone topic for agency owners: building, retaining, and growing an exceptional team. Drawing on real-world conversations with agency leaders and years of industry experience, Drew breaks down the full lifecycle of stellar employee management that every agency needs to thrive. Drew starts by revealing why agencies often miss the mark with generic job descriptions and lays out a compelling case for comprehensive, forward-thinking job documentation. He shares...
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Episode 509 Unlock the Power of Networking with Melissa Snow
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan explores an essential yet often misunderstood business growth strategy: networking. Joined by networking expert Melissa Snow, Drew unpacks what truly effective networking looks like in today’s world and why building authentic connections can be the most powerful driver for agency success. Melissa, founder of Powerful Women Rising, shares her journey from accidentally becoming an entrepreneur to discovering that genuine relationships—not flashy sales tactics—were the secret to her business...
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Episode 508 Project Management That Drives Profit with Rachel Gertz
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan tackles a topic that agency owners and leaders wrestle with time and again: the true role of project management within an agency, and how getting it right can transform both your workflow and your bottom line. Drew is joined by expert consultant Rachel Gertz, who has spent over 15 years helping agencies demystify project management, build stronger systems, and create operational success. In this episode, Drew and Rachel dig deep into what project management really means in a modern agency setting,...
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Episode 507 Transformative Agency Strategies with Marcus Sheridan
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan welcomes renowned marketing thought leader Marcus Sheridan to tackle some of the most pressing challenges—and exciting opportunities—facing agency owners today. Known for his influential book They Ask, You Answer, Marcus brings a fresh perspective to the table with the launch of his new book Endless Customers, focusing on how agencies can thrive in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven landscape. In this engaging conversation, Drew and Marcus dive deep into the shifting dynamics of content...
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Episode 506 How Prioritizing Fun Inspires Success with Mike Rucker
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another engaging episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan shines a spotlight on a topic that’s both enjoyable and essential to agency life—fun. Drew is joined by Dr. Mike Rucker, a behavioral psychologist and author of The Fun Habit, for a lively exploration into how prioritizing fun and joy can make you a better leader, a more creative thinker, and ultimately, help you build a stronger agency. Mike delves into the science behind why Western culture tends to villainize fun in favor of productivity—and why that mindset is doing more harm than good. He...
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Episode 505 Navigating 2025 Agency Trends with Drew and Danyel Newcom McLellan
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to a special solocast episode of Build a Better Agency! In this midyear trend report, hosts Drew McLellan and Danyel Newcom McLellan dig deep into the evolving landscape facing agency owners in 2025. Leveraging data, global industry perspectives, and hands-on agency experience, Drew and Danyel break down what’s really impacting agencies right now and what to keep your eye on as the year unfolds. This episode covers the biggest drivers reshaping the agency world—from economic and political disruptions to shifting client and employee expectations. Drew and Danyel explore findings...
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Episode 504 Explore the Findings of the 2025 Agency Edge Research with Susan Baier
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to a timely episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan is joined by research partner Susan Baier from Audience Audit to unveil the results of the 2025 Agency Edge Research, fresh from its debut at the Build a Better Agency Summit. Together, they dig deep into how agency clients really feel about artificial intelligence—where they’re embracing it, where they’re hesitant, and what they truly want from their agency partners as AI becomes an ever-more central part of the marketing landscape. Susan and Drew break down the study’s findings, revealing surprising...
info_outlineWelcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! Today, host Drew McLellan returns with guest Lee McKnight from RSW to dive deep into the findings of the new 2025 Outlook report, exploring the evolving landscape of agency-client dynamics. As a key industry player, Lee brings a wealth of knowledge about the intersection of innovative trends and client expectations.
In this enlightening discussion, Drew and Lee unpack the promising data from the report, which suggests an optimistic outlook for agency-client spending in the coming year. They tackle critical topics such as the enduring power of referrals, the rising significance of direct outreach, and the crucial role of consistent and targeted content in building authority and securing new business. They make it clear that agencies need to embrace these insights to tailor their strategies effectively.
The pair also delve into the complex topic of competition from in-house teams and how agencies can strategically position themselves as indispensable partners through specialized expertise and forward-thinking strategies. Highlighting the potential of AI in both business development and operational efficiency, Drew and Lee emphasize the importance of agencies staying ahead of the curve to maintain relevancy and competitiveness in an ever-changing market.
This episode is packed with actionable insights and expert advice that can help you refine your approach to business development, client retention, and trend adaptation. Whether you're looking to cement your agency’s authority or navigate the nuances of modern client demands, this episode offers the guidance you need to thrive. Don’t miss out on learning how to align your agency’s efforts with the expectations of 2025 and beyond.
A big thank you to our podcast’s presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They’re an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here.
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
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- The alignment and discrepancies in spending optimism between marketers and agencies
- The persistent and pivotal role of referrals and outreach in agency-client relationships
- Embracing AI for research and operational efficiencies without undermining creativity
- The evolving dynamics of in-house agency work versus external agency engagements
- Navigating the world of RFPs with a focus on strategic selectivity
- Demonstrating value through differentiated expertise and specialization
- Leveraging short-form video content to engage and attract potential clients