Agency Alchemy

Agency Alchemy
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Delve into the dynamic world of modern advertising agencies.

  1. 6D AGO

    Scott Shamberg on Private Equity, Independence & Building Mile Marker

    Private equity has reshaped agency land—but the story is more nuanced than headlines about roll-ups and margin pressure. On this episode of Agency Alchemy, Scott Shamberg, CEO + President of Mile Marker, joins us to unpack what private equity actually gets right about the agency business—and where it sometimes misses the mark. Drawing on his experience inside holding companies and now leading a PE-backed independent, Scott explains why long-term vision beats short-term reporting cycles, why integration plans matter more than acquisition headlines, and how mid-market brands are quietly becoming the most dynamic opportunity in media. We also explore: Why independent agencies are becoming a magnet for top talent How MileMarker merged traditional and digital into a “low-code, high-sophistication” model What agency leaders should ask before selling or partnering with private equity And how AI is being deployed to give strategists time back—not replace them

    16 min

  2. JAN 26

    Ellis Verdi on Why Great Creative Hasn’t Changed — and Why “Silly” Is the Enemy

    What actually defines great creative — and why has so much modern advertising lost its way? In this episode of Agency Alchemy, we sit down with Ellis Verdi, co-founder of DeVito/Verdi, to unpack nearly 40 years of independent agency leadership, creative conviction, and cultural impact. Ellis argues that while platforms, formats, and technologies continue to evolve, the core DNA of great creative work has not changed at all. From the danger of “silly” advertising that underestimates audiences, to the long-term damage caused by short-term performance thinking, this conversation cuts straight to the philosophical heart of modern agency challenges.

    25 min

  3. JAN 19

    The Power of the Pair — How Lisa Nichols and Gary Fawcett Built a 30-Year Creative Partnership at TBWA\MCR

    What does it take to build — and sustain — one of the longest-running creative partnerships in modern advertising? In this episode of Agency Alchemy, we sit down with Lisa Nichols and Gary Fawcett, joint Executive Creative Directors at TBWA\MCR, to unpack nearly three decades of working side-by-side as a creative team. From shared leadership and creative trust to navigating disagreement without ego, Lisa and Gary reveal how their partnership has shaped agency culture, upheld creative standards, and delivered work that balances commercial impact with social purpose. The conversation explores why collaboration still matters, how creative teams stay resilient through change, and what younger creatives should look for when choosing a long-term partner.

    29 min

  4. 09/08/2025

    Wondersauce: The Agency Built for Acceleration featuring Co-Founder and CEO John Sampogna

    How do you grow a two-person startup into a 100-person agency powering brands with creativity, media, and digital transformation? Wondersauce Co-Founder and CEO John Sampogna shares the secrets behind scaling fast, keeping talent inspired, and staying ahead with AI and emerging tech. Hear how this business acceleration agency helps brands break growth barriers—and what the future of agencies will look like in the age of human + machine collaboration.

    19 min

  5. 09/03/2025

    Moonlighting to the Mainstage: Sam Piliero on Reinventing Media Buying for Challenger Brands

    In this episode of Agency Alchemy, we speak with Sam Piliero, founder of The Moonlighters, a fast-growing performance marketing agency built for the $1–$10M e-commerce brand. From scaling BarkBox through an IPO to launching his own agency, Sam shares how he’s rewriting the rules of media buying—eschewing bloated teams, cutting wasted ad spend, and proving that founder-led content can outpace traditional agency marketing. Sam digs into the challenges small but ambitious DTC brands face, why Facebook and Google’s “easy mode” can cripple growth, and how The Moonlighters’ one-to-one senior talent model is changing client relationships. Sam also offers candid thoughts on AI’s potential in media buying, the power of giving away the “secret sauce” on YouTube, and his vision for sustainable agency growth.

    27 min

  6. 08/21/2025

    Adam Biddle on GH05T: Reinventing Social Strategy for the Corporate World

    On this episode of Agency Alchemy, we sit down with Adam Biddle, CEO of GH05T, to explore how a career that started in music marketing—working with legends like Black Sabbath—evolved into leading one of the most forward-thinking social-first agencies in the corporate space. Adam shares how GH05T helps highly regulated industries like finance and insurance embrace creativity within strict boundaries, why honesty is the only way to set expectations with brands, and how his team is using AI through their proprietary tool, Ghostwriter, to scale community management without losing the human touch.

    24 min

  7. 07/31/2025

    From Briefs to Belief — How Mādin is Reframing the Creative Playbook

    In this episode of Agency Alchemy, we sit down with Nick Valenti, CEO and co-founder of Mādin, to discuss how his full-service agency is reshaping how brands show up in the world—from product launches to merch drops, community building to sports franchises. We explore how Mādin is rewriting the rules, challenging stale briefs, and building cultural equity for clients like San Diego FC and Mimona Skin.   Nick shares why creative constraints breed innovation, how hospitality thinking inspires immersive brand experiences, and why owning the influencer layer is the new frontier.

    19 min

  8. 07/10/2025

    Shared Vision, Singular Impact: How Pablo is Redefining Agency Leadership – with Harriet Knight and Hannah Penn

    In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Harriet Knight and Hannah Penn, co-Managing Directors of award-winning independent agency Pablo. Together, they unpack what it truly means to lead with humility, structure an agency for speed and soul, and why sharing a leadership role has been their secret weapon. From creative duos to dual timelines, retail roots to pro bono triumphs, they reveal how Pablo’s flat hierarchy, performance culture, and deeply human values are reshaping the future of creative agencies. Plus, hear how personal health journeys, CPR mannequins modeled on Netflix stars, and UV-sensitive hi-vis vests are all part of the Pablo playbook.

    47 min
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Delve into the dynamic world of modern advertising agencies.

Information

  • Creator
    Agency Alchemy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2025 Agency Alchemy Podcast
  • Show Website
    Agency Alchemy