The Innovative Agency

Sharon Toerek
  • 5.0 (35)
  • Business
  • Biweekly

The Innovative Agency is a podcast that exists to help marketing agency leaders answer the question: "What's Next?". How are agencies staying on the cutting edge of marketing trends? How are they adapting their businesses to meet new business challenges in the agency world? Hosted by marketing law and intellectual property lawyer Sharon Toerek, we'll talk with agencies who are at the cutting edge of innovation and industry experts who have a front row seat to the practice of innovation in today's marketing, communications and creative agencies. The goal is to help listeners learn to look around the corner to spot their next opportunity. Sharon will share her expertise along the way about how to legally protect your agency's assets, and how to turn your agency's innovation into cash.

  1. 4d ago

    373. Escaping the Founder's Trap, with Mark Skalla

    On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek welcomes Mark Skalla, Founder and CEO of Fulcrum Fractional and former agency owner, to explore one of the biggest challenges agency founders face: becoming the bottleneck in their own business. Drawing from his firsthand experience navigating what he calls "the beautiful panic" of agency growth, Mark shares why operational chaos, ineffective delegation, and founder dependency can stand in the way of sustainable success. He offers practical strategies for building stronger processes, empowering teams to make decisions, and creating an agency that can thrive without its founder managing every detail. Break free from the founder's trap and reclaim your time while building a more scalable, profitable business.   What you will learn in this episode:  Why so many agency owners become the bottleneck that puts a ceiling on their own growth The difference between being an operator and becoming the architect of your business How to escape the "founder's trap" with actionable frameworks that allow you to delegate decision-making without sacrificing quality The decision audit process that reveals what's really consuming your time and how to reclaim your schedule Why learning to share your judgment and decision frameworks with your team is the unlock for true agency scale   Bio   Mark Skalla is the Founder of Fulcrum Fractional and the Amazon best-selling author of The Leverage Point. For more than 20 years, Mark has helped founder-led companies navigate the growing pains that come with scaling, drawing from his experience as a marketer, operator, and agency owner. Through his Fulcrum Blueprint framework, he helps businesses uncover the operational bottlenecks, leadership gaps, and broken processes keeping companies dependent on the founder, then builds the systems, accountability, and structure needed for sustainable growth. Resources:   Website: https://www.markskalla.com/ Website: https://fulcrumfractional.com/module2/ Book Site: https://fulcrumfractional.com/leverage-point-book

  2. Oct 28

    372. Agency M&A Unpacked, with Peter Kang

    On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek welcomes Peter Kang, Co-Founder of Barrel Holdings, to explore the rapidly evolving world of agency mergers and acquisitions and the opportunities emerging for independent agency owners. As consolidation accelerates across the industry, Peter shares his firsthand experience building a portfolio of specialized agencies, navigating acquisitions, transitioning leadership, and launching new ventures from within an existing business. He offers candid lessons from both successes and setbacks, revealing why specialization, strategic experimentation, and a willingness to rethink traditional agency models are essential for long-term growth. Whether agency owners are considering an acquisition, planning their succession, or exploring new paths to scale, Peter offers valuable insights into building a more resilient, profitable, and future-ready agency business. What you will learn in this episode:  Why succession planning and specialization are reshaping the small agency M&A landscape The mindset shifts required for agency owners to transition from hands-on founders to portfolio builders What mistakes and hard lessons can teach about incubating versus acquiring new agency businesses How creative deal sourcing and unconventional M&A strategies are opening doors for small and mid-sized agencies Practical benchmarks for when to spin out, shut down, or scale new agency ventures within a holding company   Bio Peter Kang is Co-Founder of Barrel Holdings, a holding company that acquires and grows boutique specialized agencies. Before launching Barrel Holdings, he co-founded and ran Barrel, a New York-based digital agency, for 18 years across roles spanning strategy, creative, and CEO. Resources: Website: https://barrel-holdings.com/ Website: https://www.agencyhabits.com/ Website: https://www.peterkang.com/ LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterkang34/ LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/barrel-holdings/

  3. Oct 21

    371. Fun for Agency Profit, with Isabel Muñoz-Cadilla

    On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek welcomes Isabel Muñoz-Cadilla, co-founder of Sounds Fun, an agency built around creativity, curiosity, and authentic human connection. Drawing on her big-agency experience, Isabel shares why she and her team intentionally created something different and how embracing playfulness helps them stay resourceful, relevant, and ready to solve complex challenges for clients. Isabel explains how agencies can balance business results with creative joy, build stronger relationships, and protect the human experiences that matter more than ever in the age of AI.  For agency leaders navigating constant change, this conversation is a refreshing reminder that creativity and fun aren't distractions from the work. They can be powerful drivers of innovation, connection, and growth. What you will learn in this episode:    Why maintaining a sense of fun is more than just good culture The strategic thinking behind naming an agency "Sounds Fun" How to balance creativity and joy with the pressure of KPIs, deadlines, and demanding enterprise clients How agencies can use internal programs to encourage learning and fresh perspectives from every team member Approaches for integrating AI thoughtfully What brands are really looking for now in a world obsessed with technology Bio Isabel Muñoz-Cadilla is the co-founder and CEO of Sounds Fun and has over 16 years of marketing experience leading global campaigns, rebrands, and product launches for iconic brands, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Lenovo, Volvo, Hershey, and New Balance. Prior to co-founding Sounds Fun, Isa led client relationships at agencies including Grey, Arnold, Hill Holliday, and Virtue. She is committed to driving innovation and creative excellence while building strong cultures and lasting relationships with clients and partners alike. Resources:   Website: https://www.soundsfun.co/ LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isamunoz/ LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sounds-fun-creative-agency/

  4. Oct 14

    370. Messaging That Converts, with Jon Benson

    On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek sits down with Jon Benson, pioneer of the video sales letter and Founder of BNSN, to explore why great agency work doesn't always translate into great results. Jon shares how disconnects between marketing and sales, weak messaging, and a lack of meaningful audience research can derail even the strongest campaigns. He explains how "mirror language" and deeper niche targeting can help agencies uncover what their ideal clients truly care about and create messaging that resonates and converts. For agency leaders looking to sharpen their messaging, better connect marketing with sales, and turn audience insights into measurable results, this conversation offers a powerful perspective on what it takes to convert in the age of AI. What you will learn in this episode:  Why most marketing agencies miss the mark on true audience pain points How digging for "mirror language" unveils what your buyers secretly want Where to look for genuine consumer insight Why the brands that dare to narrow their focus end up with raving, loyal fans What every agency should know about blending human insight with technology to futureproof client results Bio Jon Benson is a copywriter, entrepreneur, and AI pioneer whose work has quietly shaped how the world buys things online. Best known as the inventor of the Video Sales Letter, the format that became the backbone of modern digital marketing, he has spent decades writing words that move people to act—not through manipulation, but through what he calls "persuasion that feels good on both sides." In 2010, Jon turned his attention to copywriting software, becoming one of the earliest pioneers at the intersection of AI and sales copy. That work eventually evolved into BNSN, a platform trained exclusively on high-converting marketing campaigns and built for small business owners who sell good things to good people. BNSN reflects Jon's core belief that the human element of business—community, coaching, and genuine connection—separates sustainable success from a flash in the pan. Resources: Website - https://bnsn.ai/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/itsjonbenson/ Twitter - https://x.com/itsjonbenson Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/itsjonbenson YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPDvmgurd-rym4pyPjviIuw?sub_confirmation=1 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonbenson

  5. Oct 7

    369. Rethinking the Agency Business Model, with Eric Fulwiler

    This week on The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek sits down with Eric Fulwiler, co-founder and CEO of Rival, to explore what it takes for agencies to stay relevant as AI and technology reshape the traditional agency business model. Eric shares how Rival has evolved from startup to global consultancy by embracing experimentation, building community, and investing in proprietary technology. He reveals why the agencies positioned to thrive will be those that focus not just on greater efficiency, but on greater effectiveness combining human expertise, AI, and intellectual capital to create meaningful value for clients. From monetizing agency IP to building tech-enabled solutions and cultivating stronger industry communities, Eric offers a look at how agencies can rethink their models, differentiate their expertise, and build for what's next. What you will learn in this episode:  Why the traditional agency business model is under pressure (and what forward-thinking leaders are doing about it) Blending technology, community, and IP can create a stronger and more resilient agency Why intentional community building among both clients and talent is more than just a networking exercise What it takes to turn agency "doing" into monetizable "thinking" Why developing technical fluency in your team is non-negotiable for staying relevant and effective The real constraints agency leaders must watch as they rethink their model Bio Eric Fulwiler is an entrepreneur who builds businesses through modern marketing, management, and innovation practices. Over the last 15 years he's been lucky enough to help build some of the biggest brands in the world, from billion-dollar start-ups to Fortune 50 enterprises, and learn from some amazing people along the way. He spent 10 years in the agency world and was a first-15 employee and MD of EMEA for VaynerMedia, founded by Gary Vaynerchuck. He was the Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer for 11:FS, a global fintech consultancy that builds digital banking and insurance propositions from scratch. As co-founder and CEO of Rival, his main job is to hire the smartest people in the industry and get out of their way! Resources: Website: https://www.wearerival.com/ LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericfulwiler/ LinedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearerival/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKBbavCLf8Jjf29i-HTPl4w SCRATCH by Rival Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/scratch-cmo-interviews/id1591008871 Research: https://www.wearerival.com/aimarathon

  6. Sep 30

    368. Building New Business Momentum, with Simone Mandel and Rachel Segall

    On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek welcomes Simone Mandel and Rachel Segall, co-founders of NBZ, to explore what it takes to build sustainable new business momentum.  Drawing on decades of experience across holding companies and independent agencies, Simone and Rachel share why agencies often struggle to market themselves as effectively as they market their clients, and what they can do differently. From strengthening your agency's brand and building a community around business development to maintaining momentum during lean times, this conversation offers practical strategies for agencies at every stage of growth.  What you will learn in this episode:  Why most agencies struggle to apply their own brand-building expertise internally What it really takes to get everyone "singing from the same songbook" The hidden power of having a clear agency identity (especially in an industry with over 88,000 competing voices) Practical low-budget steps to maintain momentum when business is slow and resources are tight Why specificity is the key to standing out in a saturated market The ways AI and community can act as great equalizers for both small and independent agencies Bio We're Rachel and Simone. We spent decades building brands and driving performance at the biggest agencies in the game. The more we learned the rules of entry, the more we wanted to rewrite the playbook for success. So we transformed our experience into a growth engine that helps small to midsize businesses compete with the big guys. We're not here to fix a broken system. We're here to help you keep pace in a fiercely competitive market by giving you an ownable brand, a winning growth strategy, and an expansive network. Resources: Website: https://www.nbzpartner.com/home LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nbz-partner/

  7. Sep 23

    367. The Artful Intelligence Advantage, with Park Howell

    On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek sits down with Park Howell, Founder of Business of Story, consultant, and former agency owner, to explore how agencies can transform their intellectual property into a competitive advantage.  Park shares how his approach to "artful intelligence" helps agencies operationalize their expertise, strengthen storytelling, improve client outcomes, and unlock new revenue opportunities.  He also discusses why agencies shouldn't let fear of AI disruption dictate their future. Instead, they can harness emerging technologies to monetize their know-how, increase their relevance, and build stronger, more resilient agencies.  What you will learn in this episode:  Why most agencies struggle to monetize their intellectual property The untold power of operationalizing your agency's brand story using AI (or as Park Howell calls it, "artful intelligence") The critical difference between pushing your capabilities and pulling prospects in with demonstrated abilities in your new business pitches How to develop and license campaign IP, sidestepping the common pitfalls agencies face trying to productize their methods The overlooked role of "StoryOps" in driving agency revenue and client loyalty in a noisy, fast-changing landscape Bio Park Howell is known as The World's Most Industrious Storyteller, having grown purpose-driven brands by as much as 600 percent. He is an EMMY Award-winning, 40+ year veteran of the advertising industry and now consults, teaches, coaches, and speaks internationally to help business, sales, and marketing leaders excel through the stories they tell. He is the host of the popular weekly Business of Story podcast, which is ranked among the top 10% of downloaded podcasts in the world. Park published Brand Bewitchery in 2020 to help you use his proven Story Cycle System to craft spellbinding stories for your brand. In 2021, he co-authored The Narrative Gym for Business, a short 75-page guide on how to use the foundational narrative framework of the ABT (And, But, Therefore) to make you a more confident, compelling and persuasive communicator. Park recently launched the StoryCycle Genie™ to help business leaders craft a lucrative brand story strategy in minutes, not months, at a fraction of the cost of the old, traditional way of branding. Resources: Website: https://businessofstory.com/ LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parkhowell/ LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7575384/ StoryCycle Genie: https://www.storycyclegenie.ai/ The Business of Story Podcast: https://businessofstory.com/podcast/

  8. Sep 16

    366. The Power of Brandformance, with Jacques Spitzer

    On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek sits down with Jacques Spitzer of Raindrop Agency to explore how agencies can bridge the gap between creativity and measurable results. Jacques shares Raindrop's unconventional journey from humble beginnings to helping launch billion-dollar brands and the lessons learned while navigating swift growth along the way. Jacques unpacks how to set clear client expectations, recognize patterns before challenges become problems, and communicate honestly when growth puts pressure on strategy and operations. He introduces his approach to "brandformance," bringing brand and performance marketing together to create stronger, more sustainable results.   For agency leaders looking to scale without sacrificing creativity, client trust, or business outcomes, this conversation offers valuable insight. What you will learn in this episode:  Why "brandformance" may be the untapped pathway for agencies caught between the pull of brand-building and the pressure for immediate results  The challenges (and unexpected rewards) of going from local service providers to national innovators without a traditional agency pedigree  The art and science behind setting client expectations before the first strategy session, and why saying "no" can be your most powerful business safeguard Why pattern recognition and historical context beat rigid formulas every time when deciding which clients and projects to accept How to use data, direct communication, and sometimes tough love to align your agency's ideas of success with your clients' Bio To some, Jacques Spitzer is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside of some of the greatest performing commercials of all time. To those he works with, Jacques is a passionate leader, connector, and storyteller with an innate ability to build brands and create ideas that people love. His Four-time Emmy® award-winning agency, Raindrop, has generated billions of views and billions in campaign sales for powerhouse brands like Dr. Squatch, Native and Grüns and disruptive brands like Good Culture, Hello Panda, Graza, Magic Spoon and more. Raindrop's creative force has been showcased by their work on three Super Bowl campaigns and their recent execution of the largest brand launch in Procter & Gamble history for Spruce. As a champion for the next generation of disruptive companies, Jacques serves as a strategic advisor to high-growth CPG brands that Raindrop Ventures has uniquely helped launch and invested in, including Grüns, Laundry Sauce, ForAll, VitaWild, and Maeva. Resources: Website: https://raindrop.agency/ LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jspitzer5/ LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/raindrop-agency/ Website: https://www.jacquesspitzer.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquesspitzer TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jacquesspitzer Marketing People Love Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-people-love/id1642420328

See All (300)

5
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

The Innovative Agency is a podcast that exists to help marketing agency leaders answer the question: "What's Next?". How are agencies staying on the cutting edge of marketing trends? How are they adapting their businesses to meet new business challenges in the agency world? Hosted by marketing law and intellectual property lawyer Sharon Toerek, we'll talk with agencies who are at the cutting edge of innovation and industry experts who have a front row seat to the practice of innovation in today's marketing, communications and creative agencies. The goal is to help listeners learn to look around the corner to spot their next opportunity. Sharon will share her expertise along the way about how to legally protect your agency's assets, and how to turn your agency's innovation into cash.

Information

  • Creator
    Sharon Toerek
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Innovative Agency

You Might Also Like