Agency Business
Agency Business is a podcast about ad agencies, from media industry analysts Brian Wieser and Olivia Morley. In our interviews with marketing agency CEOs and ad industry business experts, we explain the week's agency news and provide the context you need to navigate the business. Check it out on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts. The Agency Business podcast is part of the Marketecture Media podcast network.
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#66: Running an agency built on retail performance, with Michael Magnusson
<h2>Welcome to Agency Business.</h2><p>Michael Magnusson, founder and CEO of Pinnacle Advertising, joins Brian Wieser and Olivia Morley to discuss what it means to run an agency built on retail performance and measurable outcomes.</p><p>Michael explains how that focus shapes team structure, client relationships, and day-to-day decision-making, as well as how the agency operates in a market defined by consolidation and evolving client demands.</p><p>The Agency Business podcast is part of the Marketecture Media podcast network.</p>
#65: The opportunity for independent agencies in the mid-market, with Scott Shamberg
<h2>Welcome to Agency Business.</h2><p>Scott Shamberg, president and CEO of independent media agency Mile Marker, joins Brian to discuss the growing opportunity for independent agencies serving mid-market and private equity-backed brands. </p><p>Shamberg explains how Mile Marker is positioning itself between small media boutiques and holding companies, why its clients prioritize flexible, “human in the loop” service models, and how the agency is using automation and AI to enhance — not replace — talent. </p><p>The Agency Business podcast is part of the Marketecture Media podcast network.</p><p>Reach Out:</p>Subscribe for free to the Agency Business newsletter.Interested in joining Agency Business as a guest? Submit a pitch.Liste...
#64: Why AI is forcing agencies and clients to rethink how they work together, with BCG's Janet Balis
<h2>Welcome to Agency Business.</h2><p>This week, Olivia and Brian interview Boston Consulting Group's Janet Balis. We discuss how AI is reshaping the agency business beyond efficiency gains. Janet argues that many agencies and clients are underestimating AI’s impact by treating it as a cost-saving tool rather than an opportunity to rethink operating models, partnerships, and growth strategies.</p><p>We explore how agencies should adapt to evolving client expectations, where work should sit between agencies and in-house teams, and why success increasingly depends on designing more flexible, account-specific models that better align creative, media, and technology capabilities.</p><p>The Agency Business podcast is part of the Marketecture Media podcast netw...
#63: The real agency AI divide: data, commercial models, and what's next
<h2>Welcome to Agency Business.</h2><p>This week, Madison and Wall’s Tucker Lake joins Olivia and Brian to discuss new research examining how the largest agency groups are approaching AI. Based on M&W's interviews with senior leaders across holding companies, one theme stood out: while AI has become a central focus, agency offerings today are far more similar than they are different.</p><p>The Agency Business podcast is part of the Marketecture Media podcast network.</p><p>Reach Out:</p>Subscribe for free to the Agency Business newsletter.Interested in joining Agency Business as a guest? Su...
#62: Wpromote CEO Andrea Bendzick
<h2>Welcome to Agency Business.</h2><p>This week, Brian and Olivia interview Andrea Bendzick, CEO of independent digital agency, Wpromote. The group discusses Wpromote's recent acquisition of Giant Spoon and what it signals for the future of advertising agencies, including the convergence of creative and performance marketing. </p><p>Drawing on her background in finance and technology, Bendzick explains why the traditional divide between brand and performance no longer reflects client needs, how Wpromote is integrating creative, media, and data through its PolarisIQ platform, and why the company is building a tech-enabled services model to drive measurable outcomes.</p><...
#61: Rick Milenthal, CEO of The Shipyard
<h2>Welcome to Agency Business.</h2><p>Rick Milenthal, chairman and CEO of independent agency, The Shipyard, joined Brian and Olivia for a conversation about building and sustaining a full-service independent agency — with major operations in Columbus, Ohio and San Diego — around the philosophy of "engineering brand love" through the integration of paid, earned, and owned media.</p><p>Rick shares how The Shipyard has grown to ~450 people by bringing together best-in-class talent across creative, media, PR, and experiential disciplines rather than treating them as separate businesses. He discusses the agency's sweet spot serving mid-market clients spending $50–$100 million, why he sees a...
#60: CourtAvenue Co-founder Dan Khabie
<h2>Welcome to Agency Business.</h2><p>This week Dan Khabie, cofounder of CourtAvenue, joined Olivia for a conversation about building an independent digital and AI transformation agency — from a garage startup in San Diego to a 250-person company growing at 64% year-over-year.</p><p>Daniel discusses CourtAvenue's five pillar go-to-market strategy — spanning digital ecosystems, retail media, physical-digital experiences, and AI consulting — and how AI has become the central accelerant across all of it. He also shares his "fresh water" philosophy for working alongside in-house teams, reflects on lessons learned inside WPP and J. Walter Thompson, and offers his take on holdin...
#59: What’s next for Dentsu in the Americas? With Beth Ann Kaminkow
<h2>Welcome to Agency Business.</h2><p>Brian and Olivia interviewed Beth Ann Kaminkow, CEO of the Americas and global chief client officer at Dentsu, following a significant leadership transition and renewed scrutiny of the company’s international business. The conversation comes as Dentsu posted weak financial results, announced Takeshi Sano as its new global CEO and president, and signaled that a previously explored sale of its international operations is no longer under consideration.</p><p>Beth Ann discusses Dentsu’s strategy to prioritize Japan and the U.S. as growth engines, strengthen its power brands including Merkle, and position the...
#58: If AI isn’t the differentiator, what is? With Supergood’s John Elder
<h2>Welcome to Agency Business. </h2><p>John Elder, CEO and co-founder of independent creative agency Supergood, joined Brian and Olivia to discuss how data — not AI alone — may become the real differentiator for agencies navigating margin pressure and rising client expectations.</p><h2>Reach Out</h2>Subscribe for free to the Agency Business newsletter.Interested in joining Agency Business as a guest? Submit a pitch.Inquire about Briefly.Listen to 📊 The Madison and Wall Podcast: Brian and Luke Stillman open up about Madison and Wall's latest work — plus crucial economic, financial, and industry trends.Listen to 🎬 Screen & Sponsor: Olivia & VaynerMedia...
#57: Building an agency that stays close to the work, with Something Different
<h2>Welcome to Agency Business. </h2><p>Patti McConnell, co-founder and managing partner, and Tommy Henvey, co-founder and chief creative officer of independent creative agency Something Different, joined Brian and Olivia for a conversation about building an agency designed for closeness, flexibility, and creative fulfillment rather than scale.</p><p>Patti and Tommy discuss the studio model that allows Something Different to expand and contract around client needs, how trust and chemistry still decide pitches once you’re in the room, and why disciplined scoping and margin protection still matter even when agencies take on passion projects or long-term bets. </p>...
