Agency Leadership Podcast

In 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 forced mentorship and the benefits of organically dev...

In 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   They refute arguments that AI is detrimental to learning the fundamentals, comparing it to outdated technologies like fax machines and card catalogs.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 efficiency and evolving intelligence in completing...

In 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 satisfaction and pursuing business growth, as well as the...

In 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. The conversation includes advice on gradual...

In 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 hassles.   However, they also highlight significan...

In 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 tiered approach to staffing, employing a mix of high,...

In 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 not paying themselves regularly and over 30% ha...

In 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 practices that avoid perceptions of nickel-and-diming,...

In 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 and the necessity of knowing one's financials to ens...

In 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, learning from each other, and navigating interdep...

In 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 the need for agencies to be proactive in addres...

It'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 clients may pressure them to bypass.   They tal...

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 proactive strategies.   The hosts also emphasize the n...

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, and maintaining a sustainable pace. Both hosts hi...

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 Patrick Rogan of Ignition HR, the hosts emphasize the n...

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 cost of hiring experienced talent.  They advocate f...

In 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 owners' dissatisfaction with their business devel...

In 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 the influence of agency size and specialization on...

In 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 directly influence business decisions. They also hig...

In 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 audiences when posting on LinkedIn. They address the i...

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 an environment where employees feel trusted and e...

Agencies 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 owners. They highlight the need to challenge assumption...

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 disappear. They also advise agency owners to publis...

If 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 relationships. They also touch on strategies for incumb...

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's organization, the types of projects being han...