The Spark: Nashville Creative Secrets

From global chemical corporations to Nashville's fastest-growing boutique agency, Paul Oakley has shaped how industries communicate, lead, and give back. In this episode, Paul—founder and CEO of Tiny Mighty Communications—shares his unexpected path from Dow Chemical and Bridgestone to launching his own firm focused on industrial B2B brands. He unpacks what "Tiny Mighty" really means, why experienc...

Katie Peninger, VP of Account Service & Business Growth at Lewis Communications and VP of Membership Engagement for AMA Nashville, joins The Spark to share her journey from designer to agency leader. She reflects on bold marketing choices, mentoring, Nashville's creative evolution, and why intentionality and relationships are at the heart of strong client partnerships. Katie also highlights the po...

In this episode of The Spark , Traylor Woodall —founder & CEO of Fivestone Studios shares how mentors, hard-won failures, and a "Culture of Honor" shaped his leadership and creative philosophy. We dig into scaling teams, evolving from animation to immersive experiences, measuring impact, and protecting people while pursuing excellence.   Timestamps   03:09 – Learning through failure and humility  ...

Welcome to The Spark — where Nashville's creative leaders share their stories of building, leading, and shaping the future. In this episode, host  Mark Scrivner sits down with Mark Blaze , President & CEO of the Greater Nashville Technology Council (NTC) . With decades of leadership experience and a passion for community, Mark shares his vision for Nashville's technology sector, the importance of...

What happens when marketing moves beyond transactions and becomes a platform for inclusion and community? In this episode of The Spark , host Mark Scrivner sits down with Jacqui Hayes , founder of Crayons & Marketers and president of AMA Nashville . Jacqui's work focuses on creating marketing strategies that elevate diverse voices, foster belonging, and help businesses grow with authenticity. For...

What happens when bold creativity meets community leadership? In this episode of  The Spark , host Mark Scrivner sits down with Bethany Newman , founder and principal of ST8MNT , a creative agency shaping brand identities for leaders in entertainment, retail, hospitality, and beyond. As a past president of EO Nashville, Bethany has also been a driving force in championing entrepreneurship and comm...

What happens when a corporate marketer takes a leap of faith and builds an "accidental agency" that becomes a thriving creative business? In this episode of  The Spark , we sit down with Michelle Keckler , co-founder of KNC Marketing. With 15 years of experience at brands like Bridgestone and Franke, Michelle's story is one of resilience, partnership, and embracing the unknown. From navigating a s...

The best cultures aren't built on slogans or perks. They're built on daily investments in people. In this episode of The Spark , Arnie Malham shares how he built cj Advertising and Legal Intake Professionals into thriving companies by putting people first. From paying employees to read, to rethinking how leaders show up every day, Arnie's unconventional approaches created lasting impact inside and...

From skateboarding in New Jersey to leading creative projects in Nashville, Kyle Bush's journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode of The Spark , Kyle shares how a love for skate videos evolved into a thriving career in video and creative leadership. From learning the craft through subculture storytelling to navigating the professional creative landscape, his story is a testament to passion...

What if the story holding your brand back isn't on your website—it's in your head? In this episode of  The Spark , we sit down with Colton Mulligan, founder and managing partner of FoxFuel Creative, to unpack how personal narrative, unaddressed shame, and internal misalignment quietly derail brand strategy. From leading teams to leading yourself, Colton shares how rewriting the story beneath the s...

From national campaigns to unforgettable customer experiences, Kamron Kunce has mastered the art of building momentum that lasts. In this episode of  The Spark , we sit down with Kamron Kunce, head of marketing and client success at RJ Young, whose career spans both agency and corporate worlds. Kamron shares his approach to developing brand strategies that drive results, leading collaborations tha...

From restaurant hustle to tech founder — Alane Boyd's journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode of  The Spark , Alane Boyd, co-founder of Biggest Goal, shares her evolution from managing a family restaurant to building automation systems that empower creative entrepreneurs. She opens up about burnout, reinventing your business model, and why authenticity and systems are key to sustainable...

How do you build one of the most respected ad agencies in the Southeast—and keep your soul intact? In this episode of  The Spark , we sit down with legendary ad man David Bohan, founder of BOHAN, a nationally recognized agency born in Nashville. David shares the humble beginnings of his career, how he took a leap of faith to start his own shop, and why building a people-first culture was always no...

Tim Gray didn't just build a successful creative agency—he rebuilt it from scratch after losing nearly everything. In this episode of The Spark , Tim sits down with Mark Scrivner to share his journey from backyard concerts at age six to scaling and selling a Nashville agency, surviving a tornado and a pandemic, and ultimately creating a new life and business in the Bahamas. They explore the realit...

Lauren Reed didn't just build a successful PR agency—she built one that could thrive without her. In this episode of The Spark, Lauren sits down with Mark Scrivner to share how she went from burnout to balance, leading Reed Public Relations through industry shifts, economic shocks, and ultimately, a leadership transition that let her step away for 90 days. They dive into what it really means to bu...

What happens when creative energy meets operational expertise? In the premiere episode of The Spark , Mark Scrivner, founder of Snapshot, and Drew McClellan of the Agency Management Institute break down what it really takes to build—and sustain—a thriving agency. From embracing the messy middle to building systems that scale, Mark and Drew share the mindset shifts and behind-the-scenes habits that...

Our Creative Assembly podcast gives the Nashville creative community a platform to tell their story, share what inspires them and offer advice. We believe communities get better when we look out for each other, and this way, we can help people share their stories with our amazing creative collective. Tune in and join the fun.