What does it actually take to build a PR agency from a card table to an industry landmark — and then do it all over again with your own kid? Mark McNeely spent 45 years answering that question. A former newspaper reporter who covered a corrupt governor and got tired of laughing at bad press releases, McNeely bootstrapped McNeely & Associates on $11,000 and a home equity loan, grew it into McNeely, Pigott & Fox — one of the largest independent PR firms in the Southeast — and then walked away to build McNeely Brockman PR with his daughter, Kelly. In this episode, he shares the campaigns he's proudest of, the crises that nearly broke him, and the mentors who shaped how he leads. Founders, agency owners, and marketers will walk away with hard-won lessons on credibility, succession, and building something that outlasts you — covering agency growth, crisis management, family business, mentorship, client trust, and legacy planning. Episode Highlights 00:00 – Mark opens with the philosophy that's guided his entire career: honesty isn't the best policy; it's the only one 09:59 – The bad press release that planted the seed for starting his own firm 24:18 – Bootstrapping McNeely & Associates on $11,000 and a home equity loan in year one 26:22 – The Nashville landmarks his firm helped shape, from Bridgestone Arena to Nissan Stadium 36:29 – The seven-year campaign to get wine into Tennessee grocery stores — his proudest professional win 40:31 – Why he chose his daughter, Kelly, as his partner in launching McNeely Brockman PR 53:14 – The three rules he gives every young PR professional he mentors 55:18 – Leading through crisis: 9/11, the 2008 recession, and a half-million-dollar theft Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Mark McNeely: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcneely-1002a15/ | https://www.mcneelybrockmanpr.com/ Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshot.agency/health Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshot.agency/health Snapshot Health | Behavioral Health Marketing Built for Growth and Impact Snapshot Health is a strategic growth and marketing partner for behavioral health organizations nationwide. We help treatment centers, mental health providers, and recovery programs grow responsibly by aligning brand, digital strategy, and patient acquisition with clinical integrity and long-term outcomes. Our team specializes in performance-driven marketing for behavioral health, including SEO, paid media, branding, marketing strategy, website development, and admissions enablement. We focus on attracting the right patients, improving conversion, and building scalable systems that support sustainable growth. Snapshot Health brings deep expertise in compliance, ethics, and trust-based marketing. We partner closely with executive teams to drive predictable admissions growth while protecting reputation, mission, and quality of care. Follow The Spark: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ #TheSparkPodcast #CreativeAssembly #PublicRelations #NashvilleBusiness #FamilyBusiness #AgencyLeadership
