Build a Better Agency Podcast

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 kil...

Welcome to a brand new year and a brand new episode of Build a Better Agency! In this special solo cast, host Drew McLellan kicks off 2026 with a focused, actionable discussion on preparing agency owners and leaders for what promises to be a pivotal year. Drawing from his decades of experience and deep involvement with agencies across the globe, Drew McLellan lays out five essential resolutions th...

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Build a Better Agency! In this episode, host Drew McLellan welcomes Greg Star, founder of Driven Branding and former CEO of Carvertize, to explore how agency leaders can leverage LinkedIn to build stronger, more authentic personal brands. If you've ever wondered why your company's LinkedIn page isn't gaining traction or how you can make your own prof...

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 influenc...

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 p...

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 the...

Welcome to a transformative solo episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan invites listeners to reframe how they view uncertainty, chaos, and change in the agency world. Drawing from both scientific research and personal stories—including a gripping childhood encounter with real fear—Drew McLellan explores why agencies feel paralyzed by unpredictability, and more importantly,...

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 heigh...

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 crea...

Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan welcomes renowned author, speaker, and client experience expert Neen James for a thought-provoking discussion that will challenge agency leaders to rethink how they deliver value. Together, they explore the concept of "luxury" in the context of client service and agency culture—not just as something exclu...

Welcome to a crucial episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan is joined once again by Craig Cody, a seasoned CPA and tax advisor renowned for his expertise in agency financial management. Drew and Craig jump straight into a timely and essential topic for every agency owner—the recent changes to 401k regulations that could have significant implications for your agency's compl...

Welcome to a new solo cast episode of Build a Better Agency! Host Drew McLellan is flying solo for episode 525, bringing decades of agency expertise to help owners prepare their businesses for a fast-changing marketplace. If the calendar is winding down and you're looking ahead to 2026, this episode is packed with actionable insights designed specifically for agency leadership. Drew kicks off with...

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan welcomes Ben Gaddis—former agency owner, seasoned operator, and now private equity investor—to give you an insider's view of what makes an agency truly valuable in today's changing landscape. Drawing on his unique journey from building and selling his own highly successful agency to investing in ot...

Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! In this thought-provoking conversation, host Drew McLellan welcomes acclaimed author, agency veteran, and thought leader Rishad Tobaccowala to the show. Together, they dig into the rapidly evolving nature of work and what it means for agency leaders and teams in the years ahead. Rishad draws on his decades of agency experience and his...

Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan sits down with Ana Laskey, an experienced market researcher and strategist, to tackle one of the industry's hot-button issues: the art and business of agency strategy. As the marketing landscape gets more crowded with freelance talent and AI tools, Drew and Ana dig deep into what truly differentiates agen...

Welcome to another data-driven episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan sits down with returning guest Lee McKnight to break down the results of RSW/US's freshly released 2025 Agency New Business Survey. Together, Drew and Lee unpack the real-world challenges and emerging opportunities that agencies—especially small and midsize firms—are facing as they gear up for the rest o...

Welcome to another insightful solo episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan is at the mic, bringing over 25 years of agency expertise to address one of the most critical topics for agency leaders: rethinking your strategic planning process for the historic challenges and opportunities ahead in 2026. With economic uncertainty, industry disruption, and the rapid acceleration o...

Welcome to another episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan shines a light on an area vital to every agency's growth: how to show up for clients and prospects in ways that build genuine trust, loyalty, and long-term relationships. To explore this undervalued but crucial topic, Drew is joined by Jamie Shibley, founder of The Expressory and expert in strategic engagement and r...

Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan turns the focus inward—with a practical conversation that every agency leader needs to hear. Joined by long-time AMI partner and Strategic Talent Management co-owner Sue MacArthur, Drew unpacks one of the most nuanced and important topics in the business: how to elevate your team, enhance retention, and l...

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan is joined by returning guest Michael Farmer, a renowned consultant and author with decades of experience advising both global agency holding companies and independent shops. Together, they pull back the curtain on one of the agency world's most persistent and problematic issues: the disconnect betw...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan explores a twist on the usual business leadership topics by delving into the lucrative—and often misunderstood—world of credit card points and travel rewards. Drew is joined by Julia Menez, a points and miles strategist who specializes in helping business owners and high cash flow individuals stretch th...

Welcome to another episode of Build a Better Agency! In this special solo cast, host Drew McLellan tackles one of the perennial challenges and hottest conversations among agency leaders: how to strategically shape your agency team for lasting success. Drawing on decades of experience and access to the financial workings of hundreds of agencies, Drew provides listeners with a timely and insightful...

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Build a Better Agency! Host Drew McLellan is joined by serial entrepreneur and AI transformation expert Greg Shove for a timely conversation that will change the way you think about integrating artificial intelligence into your agency. If you've been wondering how to move beyond surface-level AI experiments and truly future-proof your agency, this ep...

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 ho...

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...