Building a Passion-Driven Agency (featuring Emily Allard)
Chats with Chip
In this episode, host Chip speaks with Emily Allard, the founder of 24 Sports Marketing. Emily shares her journey from being a professional softball player to starting her own sports marketing agency focused on women's athletics. She discusses the challenges and opportunities in promoting women's sports, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and education in digital marketing. They also delve into the growth of women's sports, the impact of key personalities, and the need for strategic and integrity-driven business practices. Emily offers insights for aspiring agency owners and...
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Providing your team with constructive feedback (featuring Ken Jacobs)
Chats with Chip
In this episode, Chip speaks with Ken Jacobs, principal of Jacobs Consulting and Executive Coaching, about providing constructive feedback to team members. They discuss the importance of leadership coaching in the PR and communication space and the challenges of becoming a good leader without formal training. Ken emphasizes the necessity of providing constructive feedback that builds trust and respect, as well as the importance of listening and asking open-ended questions. Chip and Ken also highlight the continuous process of coaching and the significance of maintaining open...
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Embracing change as an agency owner (featuring Tim Kilroy)
Chats with Chip
In this episode, Chip speaks with agency advisor about the challenges and strategies for running a small agency. Tim shares his extensive experience in digital marketing and agency coaching, highlighting the importance of flexibility and adaptability in leadership. They discuss the notion of many agency owners being 'accidental' and the necessity of creative problem-solving and rigorous operational procedures in today's tough economic and technological landscapes. The conversation emphasizes fostering a supportive and clear environment for agency teams, allowing for autonomy and...
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Thought leadership for agency growth (featuring Melissa Vela-Williamson)
Chats with Chip
In this episode, Chip talks with Melissa Vela-Williamson of about her unique journey in public relations and the importance of content creation. Melissa shares her background, highlighting her non-traditional path into PR and her passion for using public relations for social good. They discuss her focus on helping nonprofits and education clients, her role as a content creator, and her work as a columnist for the Public Relations Society of America. Melissa also delves into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her business and the strategic approaches she took to maintain client...
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Helping PR agency clients navigate a challenging communications climate (featuring Rachel Sales)
Chats with Chip
In this episode, Chip talks with Rachel Sales from the PR agency Enunciate about managing client communications in a chaotic world. Rachel discusses the importance of empathy and strategy in addressing news and its impact on clients. They explore whether brand leaders should comment on current affairs, emphasizing the need for authenticity and aligning with business goals. Rachel shares a process for determining when and how clients should respond to news events. The conversation also covers the evolving media landscape, the shift towards contributed content, LinkedIn...
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How to support your team in times of stress (featuring Patrick Rogan)
Chats with Chip
In this episode, Chip discusses with Patrick Rogan of IgnitionHR the challenges small agency owners face in supporting stressed employees. They delve into the impact of both work-related and external stressors on employee performance, noting the increased stress during and after COVID-19. Patrick shares strategies for addressing these issues, such as maintaining open communication, offering flexibility, and utilizing employee assistance programs. They also discuss the balance between being supportive and maintaining business operations, emphasizing the importance of creative...
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Client perspectives on agencies in 2025 (featuring Lee McKnight, Jr.)
Chats with Chip
In this episode, Chip chats with Lee McKnight, Jr. from RSW/US about the findings from their latest survey on agency and marketer perspectives They discuss key topics such as the discrepancies between agencies' efforts to productize services versus clients' preference for customized solutions, the increasing trend towards fixed-fee pricing over hourly billing, and the importance of staying ahead of trends to meet client expectations. The conversation touches on the effectiveness of direct outreach and the role of AI and short-form video in modern agency practices. They also...
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Communicating in the face of chaos, confusion, and conflict (featuring Karen Swim)
Chats with Chip
In this episode, Chip talks with Karen Swim of Solo PR Pro about the challenges faced by solos and small agency owners in the current chaotic environment. They discuss the impact of economic, political, and societal issues on public relations and communications, emphasizing the need for adaptability in business strategies. They highlight the importance of diversifying communication tactics beyond traditional media relations, focusing on owned and internal communications, and the value of continuous business development. The conversation also covers managing anxiety among employees,...
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How agency owners can avoid scope creep (featuring Steve Guberman)
Chats with Chip
In this episode, Chip talks with Steve Guberman of about coaching agency owners through problems that they universally face. Steve shares insights into setting realistic expectations with clients, avoiding over-servicing, and adjusting scopes and pricing appropriately. Key topics include continuous communication, team involvement in the sales process, and the value of postmortems to learn from both successes and failures. Additionally, they discuss the benefits of asking questions, remaining curious, and leveraging referrals and testimonials for business growth.
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Building Effective Business Development Systems (featuring Jody Sutter)
Chats with Chip
In this episode, Chip talks with Jody Sutter of the Sutter Company, a frequent contributor. They discuss strategies for small agencies, emphasizing the importance of clear positioning and targeted messaging for effective business development. They highlight the necessity for agency owners to identify their strengths and leverage them, using methods like 12-week sprints to achieve incremental progress. They also address the challenges agencies face when looking for quick revenue boosts and the significance of tapping into existing networks.
info_outlineode, Chip talks with Jason Swenk of Agency Mastery 360 about the intricate dynamics of agency growth, operations, and sales. The discussion touches upon multiple challenges that agency owners grapple with daily, offering a number of actionable insights.
- The Accidental Agency Owner: Jason himself began as an accidental agency owner at 22 when he designed a website poking fun at the pop band, NSYNC. From there, he scaled to an eight-figure agency with over 100 employees before selling. The "accidental" trajectory resonates with many in the agency world, leading to unique challenges and growth patterns.
- The Importance of Clarity: Jason emphasizes that clarity is paramount for agency success. Many agencies fall into the trap of accepting any client that comes their way, diluting their niche and expertise. By clearly understanding the direction they want to take, agencies can build a robust framework and delegate more efficiently.
- The Agency CEO Role: The transition from owner to CEO is vital for growth. A CEO needs to set the vision, coach the leadership team, be the organization's face, build strategic relationships, and understand essential financial metrics.
- To Sell or Not to Sell: When contemplating selling their agency, owners need to assess the motivation behind this decision. Whether it's discontentment, wanting a change, or a genuine need for cash, understanding the core reason can make the process more seamless. Jason sheds light on valuation nuances, stressing the importance of EBITDA and the pitfalls of earnouts.
- Enhancing Sales and Lead Generation: One of the primary pain points for agency owners is sales. Jason recommends a multi-channel approach, which includes inbound and outbound strategies.
Chip and Jason highlight the importance of evolving with the agency. Whether it's adjusting the business model, understanding financial metrics, or pivoting strategies, staying proactive ensures sustained growth and success.