Marketing Agency Power Hour

Consistent lead generation and niche specialization are key drivers for success in restaurant marketing. In this episode, the host sits down with Deborah Smith, marketing thought leader, social media expert, award-winning author, and Owner of Foxtrot Media LLC and Jersey Bites. Deborah shares how her 20+ years of experience in digital marketing, focused on the food and beverage industry, shaped he...

Shifting from tech to tailored marketing, this episode’s guest proves that strategy-first thinking can redefine how agencies serve their clients. In this episode, host Cal Wilder sits down with Xhulio Jamaku, Co-Founder of Rootless Agency and former full-stack software engineer, to unpack what it means to build a customer-centric agency from the ground up. Xhulio shares how Rootless Agency priorit...

Sometimes the most unexpected journeys lead to the greatest success. In this episode, host Cal Wilder sits down with Geraint Clarke, CEO of Ellusionist and Co-Founder of MTHD Marketing, to explore how a passion for magic transformed into a thriving career in marketing leadership. Geraint shares how his early days performing close-up magic sparked his curiosity about marketing, driving him to devel...

Embracing change and innovation can be a catalyst for agency growth and long-term resilience. In this episode of the Marketing Agency Power Hour, host Cal Wilder sits down with Lysa Miller, Founder & CEO of Ladybugz Interactive Agency, a boutique firm known for its personalized approach and commitment to creativity, adaptability, and women’s empowerment. Lysa shares her journey from launching...

Creating meaningful content and embracing social impact can set your agency apart in a crowded market. In this episode of the Marketing Agency Power Hour, host Cal Wilder sits down with Rich Maiore, CEO & Founder of Rocket Social Impact, a purpose-driven agency that helps companies elevate their philanthropic and employee engagement strategies. Rich shares his transition from big-agency life t...

Clarity in your agency’s target market is the foundation for scalable growth and long-term success. In this episode of the Marketing Agency Power Hour, host Cal Wilder sits down with Tom Shapiro, CEO of Stratabeat Inc., a specialized B2B agency focused on marketing for technology and SaaS companies. Tom shares his journey in refining Stratabeat’s market focus, highlighting how a tightly defined id...

Narrowing your agency’s niche can unlock significant impact and reliable lead generation. In this episode of the Marketing Agency Power Hour, host Cal Wilder sits down with Elizabeth Chabe, CEO of High Touch Group, a specialized agency focused on marketing advanced science, engineering, and technology. Elizabeth shares her journey in defining and honing her agency’s niche, emphasizing how a clear...

Blending brand building with performance marketing can be a powerful formula for agency growth. In this episode, the host sits down with Erin Regan, Managing Partner & Co-Owner of Full Contact Advertising and a seasoned leader in the marketing agency space. Erin shares how her team works with major clients like Cumberland Farms, Honda, and Body Armor by integrating ‘branded performance’- combi...

Hiring self-starters and leveraging generative AI are key to scaling a modern agency. In this episode, the host sits down with Cam Brown, Founder and CEO of KingFish + Partners. Cam shares how building a team of self-motivated individuals and empowering them without micromanagement has been central to his firm’s success. He dives into how he evaluates talent rigorously, balances full-time and cont...

Six leadership lessons focused on listening, curiosity, and transparency guide effective team growth and change. In this episode, Cal sits down with Joel Kaplan, Principal & Founder at MK3 Creative, to explore innovative strategies, team leadership, and industry trends shaping the future of marketing. Joel shares how redefining his team’s approach to sales led to meaningful growth. He highligh...

Adapting quickly and leading with innovation are key to thriving in today’s ever-changing digital landscape. In this episode, the host sits down with Jillian Weston, digital marketing expert and Owner & Founder of Jillian's Circus. Jillian shares how her leadership style, grounded in trust and adaptability, has driven her success in building and managing a forward-thinking marketing agency. Sh...

Transforming passion into performance can set your agency apart, especially in complex, regulated industries. In this episode, the host sits down with Kathryn Wilson, Founder & CEO of VUE Health, an independent healthcare marketing agency. Kathryn shares how a strong sense of mission and passion for healthcare has shaped her agency’s culture and success. She discusses how VUE Health navigates...

When your team enjoys what they do, everything else starts to fall into place. In this episode, the host sits down with Mitch Tobol, Owner of CGT Marketing and a seasoned leader in the marketing and social media space. Mitch shares how aligning marketing strategy with broader business objectives can transform agency effectiveness. He emphasizes the power of understanding the full sales funnel, edu...

Building a values-first agency doesn’t happen by accident. In this episode, the host sits down with Johanna Bates and Erin Fogel, Co-Founders of DevCollaborative, a web development firm focused on the nonprofit sector. Johanna and Erin share how they built their agency from the ground up, guided by a commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and people-first practices. Instead of chasing rapid...

Asking the right questions is often the first step toward building a successful agency. In this episode, Cal sits down with Nick Francis, Founder and Visionary Officer of The Franchise Group, an award-winning creative and strategic marketing agency. Nick shares how his team delivers high-impact events by focusing on early planning, intentional post-event follow-up, and a tailored approach that mee...

Finding the right niche can be a game changer for your agency. In this episode, the host sits down with Natalie Nathanson, Founder & CEO of Magnetude Consulting and Host of the Shift and Thrive podcast. Natalie shares how focusing on ideal clients and verticals like cybersecurity and IT services has propelled her firm’s growth. She dives into the evolving role of AI in marketing and how her te...

Core values aren't just internal slogans—they're strategic tools for building strong client relationships and lasting agency success. In this episode, Cal sits down with Evan Zall, Founder and President of Longview Strategies, a strategic communications firm with deep expertise in the industry. Evan shares how grounding his firm in values like leading the way and embracing lifelong learning has sh...

Technology alone won’t run your agency. Success comes from connecting the right systems with the right people. In this episode, the host sits down with Jared Novack, Co-founder, CFO, and COO of Upstatement, Boston’s premier digital agency. Jared shares how he and his team transformed their agency by centralizing data, leading to smarter financial forecasting and tighter operational control. See wh...

Gain fresh perspectives on how to build a thriving digital marketing agency by leaning into authentic connections, strong leadership, and purpose-driven strategies. In this episode, Cal chats with Casey Cheshire, an innovative entrepreneur, seasoned marketing strategist, author, and Founder & Chief Evangelist of Ringmaster. Explore how Casey launched and scaled his previous company into a lead...

Unlock powerful insights into what it really takes to grow a successful digital marketing agency in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world. In this episode, Cal sits down with David Reske, Founder and CEO of Nowspeed, a Boston-based agency that helps B2B tech firms thrive. Learn how David built his agency by focusing on one core mission—helping clients succeed—and how this mindset continues to driv...

This is the Marketing Agency Power Hour! Join host, Cal Wilder, each week, as he powers through discussions on business challenges, success stories, and game-changing strategies. This show is sponsored by SmartBooks, provider of bookkeeping and accounting for marketing agencies.