OnAgency

George Rafeedie, Founder of Tell Your Story, joins OnAgency to unpack what success really looks like after 17 years in business. From starting an agency during the Great Recession to rejecting “scale for scale’s sake,” George shares why sustainability, flexibility, and personal fulfillment can be stronger metrics than headcount or revenue alone. This is a candid, grounded conversation about buildi...

From Chicago cicadas to LA peacocks, this episode starts weird (in the best way) and lands exactly where agency leaders are living right now: video everywhere, AI creeping into everything, and the constant tension between being the creator vs. being the CEO. Patrick and Craig sit down with Matt Cornelison, founder of video-first creative agency Fungi Media, to unpack how he built a storytelling-le...

What happens when you combine big-box retail training, public transit comms, and a deep belief in equity and access? You get Meraki Communications Group—an agency built entirely around mission, community, and leaving “a little bit of yourself” in every project. In this episode, Patrick and Craig sit down with Morgan Dye, Co-Founder of Meraki Communications Group, to talk about naming an agency wit...

What happens when an agency leader stops chasing any revenue… and starts choosing clients who fuel purpose, culture, and joy? This week, Patrick and Craig sit down with Eileen Rochford, Founder & CEO of The Harbinger Group, for one of the most candid and energizing conversations of the season. Eileen opens up about her 23-year journey building a fully remote agency long before it was normal, t...

How does an agency not just survive—but thrive—for 75 years across three generations? Joe Shaker Jr., President of Shaker Recruitment Marketing, joins Patrick and Craig to unpack what it takes to build a culture that lasts, lead with data, and make patient, people-first decisions in a fast-moving industry. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Shaker Recruitment Marketing has stayed relevant for 75 y...

Across the pond and deep in the EB trenches, Roger (Group Creative Director) and Sara McGregor (Managing Director) of Leap Create unpack how employer branding has matured—from HR side-projects to brand-critical work tied to measurable outcomes. They share what really separates EB from B2B, why employee voices beat influencers, and the unglamorous ops that let small teams punch way above their weig...

Tired of logo-chasing and thin margins? Shauna Knuckles (Founder, Advocation) shows agency leaders how to turn chaotic service shops into scalable, wealth-generating assets—by productizing offers, fixing pricing and utilization, and engineering a real founder exit (from chaos, client work, ops, or sales).   In this episode, you’ll learn: “Exit” redefined. Why founder exits aren’t just M&A—plus...

Advertising veteran Dennis Ryan joins us to talk about the industry’s wild ride—from the heyday of TV and Super Bowl ads to today’s digital, social, and B2B influencer era. We get into why story and strategy still matter most, how to keep work from being boring (aka irresponsible), and what brands can learn from stand-up comedy, collaboration, and staying curious. In this episode, you’ll learn: St...

In this episode of OnAgency, Patrick and Craig sit down with Damien Cabral (DC), Co-Founder and President of TribalVision, and Scott Bernstein, VP of Production—and former WWE executive! From Texas and Massachusetts football talk to navigating the evolution of digital marketing, the team dives into how TribalVision transformed from a fractional CMO shop to a specialized agency operating at scale....

In this episode, we sit down with Carrie Corbin, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Hope Leigh Marketing. Carrie shares her journey from her extensive experience in employer branding roles at major companies like AT&T, Samsung, and Dell, to founding her own agency. We discuss the nuances of recruitment marketing versus traditional marketing, the importance of storytelling in job postings, and...

In this episode of OnAgency, hosts Patrick and Craig sit down with Julia Fitzgerald—longtime CMO and the force behind the Mid-Size Agency Matchup. Julia brings a powerhouse résumé with leadership roles at Build-A-Bear, Sylvan Learning, Thermos, and more, and she's here to shed light on a big gap in the marketing world: how mid-size brands find right-fit agency partners—and why that search often co...

Mindfulness, Dog Tackling, and the Evolution of HR Tech PR with Jeanne Achille In this engaging episode, Patrick and Craig navigate through a lively discussion, starting with a humorous encounter involving a blurry video feed and a mischievous dog. The conversation then deepens as they welcome their guest, Jeanne Achille, the accomplished CEO of The Devon Group. Jeanne shares insights into her car...

In this episode, we sit down with Corinne Gudevich, Managing Director of Brand Experience at Ruder Finn. With an illustrious career that includes 17 years at Ketchum, Corinne shares her experiences from beginning at a boutique agency to evolving through major industry shifts. Learn about her journey at Sears during tumultuous times, her approach to bridging corporate and brand communications, and...

In this episode, we sit down with John Corey, President and Founding Partner of Greentarget, and Aaron Schoenherr, Founding Partner at GreenTarget. Over 20 years, this Chicago-based public relations agency has evolved from its humble beginnings, funded by friends and family, into a consultative powerhouse that serves some of the world's largest firms. They share their entrepreneurial journey, the...

In this episode, Patrick and Craig delve into the intricacies of employer branding and the future of AI in talent acquisition with Susan Lamott, founder of Exaqueo. Susan shares her journey from corporate to consultancy, the evolution of recruitment marketing, and the vital role of human relationships in employment. She offers insights into strategic branding, leveraging data, and the responsibili...

In this episode, we chat with Daniel Stone, Founder and Co-Owner of Bandolier Media & Roasty Buds, and Louis Montemayor, Co-founder and Creative Director of Bandolier Media. They share their journey of creating their own social media agency, Bandolier Media, renowned for creative campaigns for big names like TikTok, Facebook, and Walmart. They dive into the backstory of their agency, their uni...

In this episode, Patrick and Craig sit down with Scott Emalfarb, Founder and CEO of Fresh Content Society, to explore the dynamic world of social media management and content creation. Scott shares his journey from Edelman Public Relations to establishing Fresh Content Society, emphasizing the importance of staying current and authentic in social media strategies. He discusses innovative campaigns...

In this candid and insightful episode, Craig Fisher and Patrick Rooney interview each other, diving deep into their professional backgrounds and current ventures. They discuss their opinions on marketing buzzwords, the impact of AI, and their varied career paths in politics, talent acquisition, marketing, and technology. They also delve into their search habits and the tools they use, offering pra...

In this episode, special guest, Gayle Novak, Chief Brand Strategist and Founding partner of BrandAction Agency, shares insights on balancing brand and demand strategies to shorten sales cycles. Gayle highlights the importance of authentic client relationships and addresses the challenges of a remote workforce. The episode also touches on sports fandom and industry dynamics. Get in touch with Gayle...

In this episode, we delve deep with Dave Kissel, Global Business Lead at DDB. Dave shares his extensive experience and insight into the world of advertising, detailing his journey from handling the McDonald's global advertising account to his current role with DDB. He discusses the enduring power of brands, the importance of creativity in marketing, the evolving role of AI in advertising, and the...

In this episode, Patrick and Craig sit down with Bob Finlayson, Co-Founder of Bold Marketing and Communications, and delve into the intricacies of running a successful marketing agency.  Bob shares his journey from working at top agencies in Silicon Valley to founding Bold. We discuss the evolution of marketing tools and channels, the impact of AI on marketing, and the importance of understanding...

Jadie, the producer of the On Agency podcast, introduces the show where co-hosts Patrick Rooney and Craig Fisher interview senior leaders, CEOs, and founders of marketing agencies. Each episode delves into the guests' unique journeys, challenges, and lessons. The podcast is available on all major platforms, offering bold ideas, inspiring stories, and insights into the future of marketing.