GYDA - Grow Your Digital Agency

In this GYDA talks, Robert talks to Bibi Raven. Bibi the Link Builder is the crazy founder over at Bibibuzz – where her wild gang of outreach Jedi create powerful backlinks for her awesome clientele. She’s infamously known for doling out world-saving link building advice, creative link training and endless, utterly pointless dad jokes. Robert and Bibi discuss: How is running a team in the Philippi...

In this GYDA Talks, Robert interviews Geoff Ramm. Geoff is an expert in Customer Service / Experience and Marketing. He is creator and author of Celebrity Service.  He’s challenged and inspired audiences across 43 countries to create award-winning ideas to outperform the competition. Geoff’s clients include, Emirates, Warner Brothers & McDonalds. FORBES called him….  ‘A Game Changer’. Robert a...

In this GYDA Talks, Robert talks to Jeremy Jacobs. Jeremy ‘JJ’ Jacobs is the genuine article, a true Sales Rainmaker. He has devoted his life to understanding sales issues. He continues to research and share evolving as well as new insights into sales interactions. Unlike many of the profession who continue to preach out-of-date systems (methods) from the 1980s and 1990s he looks to the future. Th...

In this GYDA Talks, Robert interviews Garry Hamilton. Garry is the Chief Growth Officer at the digital transformation agency, Equator. Over the last twenty years he and his two partners, have built the agency into a UK top 5 independent agency (Econsultancy 2019) with 180 experts in Glasgow and London. Equator currently serves as the digital transformation partner for FTSE 100 companies and world-...

In this New Business discussion, Robert talks to Ben Potter. Ben helps agencies to win the right clients. He is a mentor for agency owners and business development managers. Ben and Robert share insight into: How to get more clients Why agencies struggle with getting new clients Culture, attention and focus Silver Bullet approaches don’t work Referrals, Farming, Hunting Examples of what works – cl...

In this GYDA Talks Robert interviews Digital Marketing and tech media expert Dan Sodergren – investor in FLOCK. As a digital marketing consultant, Dan has worked with social, mobile and gaming clients ranging from high growth start-ups to well-established household names like O2. With active experience in topics as varied as gamification, geo location, augmented reality, social media excellence, a...

In this GYDA Talks Robert talks to Lucy Hall from Avviso Media. Lucy is a speaker and educator on Digital marketing. She is a director of Avviso Media, a digital , social and content marketing agency. Lucy also runs the three day media marketing festival and digital media awards, Social Day. Lucy is one of the UK’s most influential female leaders. Robert spends 45 minutes getting to the heart of t...

In this GYDA Talks, Robert talks to Andy Lopata about his new book Connected Leadership. How Professional Relationships Underpin Executive Success. In the book Andy explores just how important strong relationships are and how to build a network of people who are: In a position to support you Want to support you Know exactly what support you need Why this book? Why now? How is it different from wha...

In this GYDA Talks, Robert interviews Joe Hine of SI Partners. Joe’s passion lies in advising entrepreneurs to create and realise value in their businesses. He is a European partner at SI Partners, specialising in corporate finance and driving value prior to sale. SI Partners is a global team focused on advising creative, technology and consulting businesses. Joe has spent 20 years in M&A envi...

In this interview Robert talks to Jonathan Jay. For over 20 years, Jonathan Jay has bought and sold companies, restructured groups, bought out competitors and successfully completed private equity deals both buy-side and sell-side. Robert and Jonathan discuss: Schoolboy errors when buying and selling The process of buying and selling Restructuring accounts Buying an agency without your own cash  ...

In this GYDA Talks, Robert talks to Simon Jacobson of Microsoft. Simon is the UK Business lead at Microsoft and has had a diverse career working in agencies, consultancies and platforms which has given him an amazing insight into the world of search. In the interview Robert and Simon discuss the state of play with agencies right now, during the COVID crisis, plus much more!   Robert and Simon disc...

In this GYDA Talks, Robert interviews Ben Afia. A recognised tone of voice pioneer and global expert, Ben uses language to help companies change culture, improve performance and forge deeper connections with their customers. As one of the first people in the world to establish and manage tone of voice, he cut his teeth with Wallgreen Alliance Boots, helping them improve relationships internally an...

In this GYDA Talks, Robert talks to Dean Seddon of Maverrik. Dean founded Maverrik in 2013 as a consultancy and business development company. Having delivered growth in several small and large businesses, he embarked on building an organisation which would help business cut through the fog and grow people, sales and profit. Dean is a practical, hands-on business speaker and trainer. Supported by t...

Our June Expert of the Month is Paul Stephen of Sagittarius. With over 20 years in marketing, Paul is one of the UK’s leading experts on digital marketing. He oversees the agency and often lectures and consults within the industry on digital and marketing related subjects and has a particular interest and skills in the travel and tourism sectors. Paul operates nationally and internationally, helpi...

Here’s a bitesize version of May’s GYDA Member Hub Expert of the month. This month Robert interviews Sammy Mansourpour of Agency UK. AUK are an integrated brand communications agency based in Bath. They are privately owned and proudly independent, helping businesses grow by creating more meaningful brand experiences. They discuss: What makes AUK unique? Embracing conflict Creative for creating bra...

In this GYDA Member Hub Talks – Robert interviews the awesome Tom Peters. Tom is one of the world’s most respected Management Gurus. He’s an Author, Business Expert, Thought Leader, Speaker. Tom is co-author of In Search of Excellence—the book that changed the way the world does business and often tagged as the best business book ever. Seventeen books and thirty-five years later, he is still at th...

In this episode of GYDA Talks, Robert sits down with Timothy Armoo. Timothy is the CEO of Fanbytes, a digital agency which helps the world’s largest organizations like UK Government, Apple and Deliveroo win the hearts of younger audiences on Snapchat and Tiktok. As we watch the events in the US unfold and the #BlackLivesMatter movement grow globally, we discuss how it’s unfolding and reflect on th...

In this month’s GYDA Member Hub interview, Robert interview Jason Swenk. Jason is an ex-digital agency owner who now runs a unique consultancy helping marketing agency owners grow their agencies faster. Jason has literally written the book for growing an agency from nothing to an eight-figure agency.  He is one of the most sought out advisors to agencies in the World, by showing them an 8 system f...

In this episode of GYDA Talks, Robert talks to our Digital Agency network on the current state of play in their agencies during the Coronavirus outbreak. This episode features expert guest, Rob Walsh   — Client Account Consultant at OnlineMarkethink.com .  They discuss: How to streamline your financial plan to optimise income and budgets in COVID What to outsource to accountants and when How to be...

In this episode of GYDA Talks, Robert talks to our Digital Agency network on the current state of play in their agencies during the Coronavirus outbreak. This episode features expert guest, Arnout Hellemans — Founder of OnlineMarkethink.com . They discuss: The way you are reporting to profitability impact How to make clear choices to position your agency in; (PR / Outreach / PPC) > Work with ma...

In this episode of GYDA Talks, Robert talks to our Digital Agency network on the current state of play in their agencies during the Coronavirus outbreak. This episode features expert guest, Adam Graham — Founder and MD of agency Gray Matters. They discuss: Business development in May 2020 What is good business development What doesn't work Why are agency websites so rubbish Show passion or fr...

An awesome 6 minute listen, presented by Robert Craven.

In this episode of GYDA Talks, Robert talks to our Digital Agency network on the current state of play in their agencies during the Coronavirus outbreak. This episode features expert guest, Ross Tavendale — MD of agency Type A . They discuss: Work lost Personal financial cuts The last 10 years have been a cakewalk Only the strong will survive Smart people are available Dealing with the competition...

In this episode of GYDA Talks, Robert talks to our Digital Agency network on the current state of play in their agencies during the Coronavirus outbreak. This episode features expert guest, Guy Levine MD of agency Return . This episode was recorded on 06.04.20.

In this episode of GYDA Talks, Robert talks to Kevin Gibbons of Re:Signal. They discuss Coronavirus and dealing with staff and clients, mindset, attitude and making sense of the future. This episode was recorded on 01.04.20.