The Spark: Nashville Creative Secrets

Creative Assembly
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Biweekly

The Spark Podcast amplifies Nashville's creative voices, showcasing diverse talents and fostering growth through shared journeys. By exploring the unique experiences and stories of the city's agency owners, innovators, and creators, the podcast inspires connection and collaboration, reflecting Nashville's rich creative culture. Mission Statement Our mission is to amplify Nashville's diverse creative voices, foster growth through shared journeys, and inspire a city that thrives on collaboration. The Spark Podcast is more than a platform—it's a gathering place for stories that uplift and connect Nashville's creative heartbeat. Together, we celebrate what makes our city unique, cultivating a vibrant community where creativity thrives.

  1. 5d ago

    The Historian's Dilemma: Truth, Legend, and Brand Storytelling with Nelson Eddy

    What does a 450-mile canoe trip have to do with becoming one of Nashville's most respected brand storytellers? In this episode of the Spark, Nelson Eddy, former Managing Partner at FINN Partners and official historian for the Jack Daniel Distillery, joins Mark Scrivner to trace a 40-year career that took him from an English classroom to the boardrooms of two agency mergers, the launch of the Nashville Predators, and decades spent safeguarding one of the most storied brands in the world. This conversation covers brand authenticity, mentorship, the discipline of "asking what else," navigating the Nearest Green story with care, and why respecting people is the real secret sauce behind long client relationships. Episode Highlights 01:03 – Mark introduces Nelson Eddy and his background at FINN Partners and Jack Daniel's 02:09 – The 450-mile canoe trip that landed Nelson his first agency job 09:34 – What stayed consistent — and what changed — through two agency mergers 17:06 – Building the Nashville Predators brand from a hockey stick T-shirt to a saber-tooth tiger 26:04 – Becoming Jack Daniel's official historian after 20 years of research 33:16 – Telling the story of Nearest Green, and why patience mattered 47:16 – Nashville's hidden lore, from Sulphur Dell to stone box graves 53:49 – Nelson's closing lesson: respect is the foundation of everything Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Nelson Eddy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelson-eddy-55860515/ 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 #BrandStorytelling #NashvilleCreative #AgencyLife #AdvertisingHistory

    The Historian's Dilemma: Truth, Legend, and Brand Storytelling with Nelson Eddy

  2. Aug 13

    Purpose, Patience, and Employee Ownership with Shannon Litton

    What if the "finish line" you've been running toward as a founder doesn't feel as good as you thought it would? Shannon Litton, CEO of 3LS Professional Services and founder of the Nashville change agency 5by5, joins Mark Scrivner to unpack her path from accidental agency hire to building a Best-Place-to-Work culture and ultimately taking her team from 30% to 100% employee ownership. This conversation is packed with real talk for founders, marketers, and agency leaders on culture-building, communication, and the mechanics of employee ownership. Listeners will walk away understanding how respect-driven leadership, disciplined sales systems, and a clear long-term vision can build both a thriving agency and life-changing outcomes for a team. Topics covered include: agency culture, employee ownership (ESOP), leadership communication, sales systems, mission-driven business, and legacy planning. Episode Highlights 01:33 – Introduction: Shannon Litton, CEO of 3LS Professional Services and founder of 5x5 04:30 – The accidental path into agency life and becoming an EVP at 23 07:01 – Starting over with 5 kids: building 5x5 smarter the second time 17:01 – The secret to Best Place to Work: respect, trust, and the Five Dysfunctions of a Team 21:16 – The lunch conversation that introduced Shannon to employee ownership 26:27 – Surprising the team with 30% ownership on a Disney World trip 29:27 – Going from 30% to 100% employee-owned through 3LS 39:05 – Shannon's mission: helping more business owners consider ESOPs Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/  Connect With Shannon Litton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slitton/  Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner  | https://snapshot.agency/health  Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshot.agency/health  Follow The Spark: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ #TheSparkPodcast #CreativeAssembly #EmployeeOwnership #ESOP #AgencyLeadership #NashvilleBusiness

    Purpose, Patience, and Employee Ownership with Shannon Litton

  3. Aug 6

    Why Brand Personality Beats a Perfect Process with Michael Hutzel

    What actually makes a brand memorable — the process behind it, or the personality inside it? Michael Hutzel, co-founder and creative director of FoxFuel Creative, joins Mark Scrivner to make the case for personality-first branding over checklist-driven process, and to talk through how AI tools like Midjourney have reshaped his creative workflow. Michael also opens up about the mentor who gave him the confidence to start his own shop, and what running a three-founder agency for over a decade has taught him about staying friends while building a business. This episode covers brand voice, AI in the creative process, agency co-founder dynamics, mentorship, presentation skills, and client relationships. Episode Highlights 02:10 – Michael's path from Western Kentucky University's graphic design program into Nashville agency life, and the GS&F mentor who changed his trajectory 12:09 – His core advice for young creatives: know what you love, what you're good at, and what you suck at 17:16 – Why treating branding like a flowchart kills personality and produces sameness 21:33 – Brand personality case studies: Dollar Shave Club, GoDaddy, and Nike 30:25 – Why AI is triggering the same fear response designers once had about social media 36:14 – How Midjourney took a project from a beach-chair voice memo to a finished pre-vis in one hour 41:29 – The "finders, minders, grinders" framework keeping FoxFuel's three co-founders in their lanes 46:10 – Michael's legacy goal for FoxFuel: "do great work with people you love" Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/   Connect With Michael Hutzel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhutzel/  | https://www.foxfuelcreative.com/  Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner  | https://snapshot.agency/health  Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshot.agency/health  Follow The Spark: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/  #TheSparkPodcast #CreativeAssembly #BrandStrategy #CreativeDirection #NashvilleAgency #AIinCreative

    Why Brand Personality Beats a Perfect Process with Michael Hutzel

  4. Jul 30

    Reinvention, Mentorship, and Nashville's Creative Community with Scott Brooks

    How does one person stay creatively engaged at the same agency for over 25 years? Mark Scrivner talks with Scott Brooks, Post-Production Supervisor at GS&F and President of AAF Nashville, about the evolution of interactive media, the mentors who shaped his career, and why he's chosen to stay close to the craft instead of climbing the executive ladder. This episode is for agency leaders, creatives, and marketers who want a real look at career longevity, mentorship, and community-building in the advertising world. You'll walk away with a fresh perspective on what keeps creative careers — and creative communities — thriving over the long haul. Episode Highlights 01:58 – Mark introduces Scott Brooks, President of AAF Nashville and Post-Production Supervisor at GS&F 02:38 – Scott recounts joining GS&F in 1999 and co-founding its interactive division 07:36 – Scott traces the evolution of "interactive" through Flash, Web 2.0, and into video and animation 11:32 – Why Scott has stayed at GS&F for over 25 years — and his retirement plan to move to Greece 19:26 – Leading by action: Scott's philosophy on mentorship over management  23:02 – Rebuilding AAF Nashville's community post-COVID and bringing agency leaders together 47:50 – The Dada Almanac and "friendly anarchy" as a creative philosophy 51:57 – Syd Mead, the futurist behind Blade Runner's iconic designs   Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Scott Brooks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-brooks-5376894/  | https://gsandf.com/  | sbrooks@gsandf.com  Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshot.agency/health  Follow The Spark: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Books Mentioned in This Episode: The Dada Almanac – https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-dada-almanac-atlas-arkhive-1_richard-huelsenbeck/740432/item/38377506 The Official Batman Batbook – https://www.awesomebooks.com/book/9780907610977/the-official-batman-batbook/used Raygun: The Story So Far (David Carson) – https://www.amazon.com/dp/1785651188 McElligot's Pool (Dr. Seuss) – https://www.abebooks.com/9780394800837/McElligots-Pool-Classic-Seuss-Dr-0394800834/plp Syd Mead book – https://a.co/d/09r3jdzU 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.  #TheSparkPodcast #CreativeAssembly #AgencyLife #NashvilleCreative #Mentorship #AAFNashville

    Reinvention, Mentorship, and Nashville's Creative Community with Scott Brooks

  5. Jul 23

    Building Culture From the Inside: A Decade at Snapshot and Leading Its Next Chapter with Josh Moquin

    What does it actually take to rise from an entry-level hire to president of the agency you helped build? On this episode of The Spark, host Mark Scrivner sits down with Josh Moquin — newly named President of Snapshot — for a conversation a decade in the making. Josh walks through his unlikely path into the agency world (including how a beer after work and a notepad led him to Snapshot's door), the seats he's held on the way to the top, and the leadership lessons that shaped him along the way. The two dig into what it means to earn a title rather than simply receive one, how Snapshot landed career-defining projects like the Amazon HQ2 pitch and a Major League Soccer client, and what Josh is committed to protecting — and changing — as he steps into his new role. Listeners will walk away with a clear-eyed look at what it takes to build real trust inside an organization, why titles mean nothing without the work behind them, and how to think about growth, culture, and impact whether you're leading a team of five or fifty. Episode Highlights 01:43 – Mark introduces Josh Moquin, newly named President of Snapshot 05:56 – Josh's origin story: how a notepad and a beer after work led him to Snapshot's door 09:24 – The account director role that changed how Josh saw the agency business 15:11 – Why the "no task beneath us" attitude defines Snapshot's culture 21:53 – The three-solutions leadership framework Josh still uses today 28:28 – What Josh is committed to protecting — and changing — as President 34:24 – Behind the scenes of Snapshot's push to bring Amazon HQ2 to Nashville 38:31 – Josh's vision for Snapshot's next chapter of growth Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/  Connect With Josh Moquin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-moquin/  | https://snapshot.agency/  Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner  | https://snapshot.agency/health  Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshot.agency/health  Follow The Spark: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/  #TheSparkPodcast #CreativeAssembly #AgencyLeadership #NashvilleMarketing #CareerGrowth #AgencyCulture

    Building Culture From the Inside: A Decade at Snapshot and Leading Its Next Chapter with Josh Moquin

  6. Jul 16

    Fired Up, Founded & Thriving: Kriste Goad's Blueprint for Building a Healthcare Marketing Agency

    What if the setback you didn't ask for turned into the best decision of your career? Kriste Goad, founder and Chief Firestarter of fuoco, shares the unfiltered story of building a healthcare B2B marketing agency — starting with getting let go and betting on herself instead of going back in-house. Kriste breaks down what 25 years in healthcare marketing taught her about relationships, business development, and brand clarity, plus the hard lessons behind scaling to Inc. 5000 recognition. This episode is for marketers, founders, and agency leaders who want a real look at growth, resilience, and how to use AI without losing the human judgment that makes the work valuable. Episode Highlights 01:36 – Kriste traces her path into healthcare marketing back to her early days at Healthways 08:06 – The real story behind founding fuoco: "the only reason I started my own agency is I was fired" 10:44 – Where the name fuoco — Italian for "fire" — actually came from 12:04 – What years in business development taught her about swings, rejection, and relationships 22:39 – The most common mistake healthcare B2B brands make when telling their story 30:20 – Lessons from Inc. 5000 growth, including the over-hiring trap many agencies fall into 39:54 – Building the "fuoco operating system" and an AI org chart inside the agency 44:49 – Staying the "human in the loop" when clients bring AI-generated work back to the table Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/  Connect With Kriste Goad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristegoad/ | https://growwithfuoco.com/  Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner  | https://snapshot.agency/health  Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshot.agency/health  Follow The Spark: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ #TheSparkPodcast #CreativeAssembly #HealthcareMarketing #AgencyGrowth #BrandStrategy #WomenInBusiness

    Fired Up, Founded & Thriving: Kriste Goad's Blueprint for Building a Healthcare Marketing Agency

  7. Jul 9

    Nashville's Unfinished Story: Leadership and the City's Next Chapter with Stephanie Coleman

    What does it actually take to keep a booming city from losing what made it special in the first place? On this episode of The Spark, host Mark Scrivner sits down with Stephanie Coleman, President & CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, for a candid look at leadership inside one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. Stephanie traces her path from federal policy work in D.C. to nearly 18 years and seven roles at the Chamber, then digs into the tension every high-growth city eventually faces: how to keep pace with affordability, housing, and infrastructure needs without losing the culture and creative identity that built the city's brand. She shares what she's learned about cross-sector leadership, why trust is the real bottleneck on collaboration, and what becoming the Chamber's first female CEO means to her and to the next generation of leaders behind her. Business owners, civic leaders, and anyone building something in a fast-growing city will walk away with a sharper read on how leadership, collaboration, and intentional growth planning actually work together, covering topics including cross-sector leadership, affordability and housing, Partnership 2030, chamber membership strategy, civic resilience, and Nashville's Super Bowl moment. Episode Highlights 00:56 – Stephanie on leaving D.C. policy work to build her career in Nashville 06:09 – Nashville's boom years and the affordability tension shaping the region today 11:43 – The "secret sauce" behind successful cities: leadership across every sector  13:43 – Why collaboration can't move faster than trust 16:08 – Becoming the Chamber's first female President & CEO 22:01 – The bold goal to grow Chamber membership by 50% 31:46 – Stephanie's vision for what Nashville looks like in 2031 35:30 – Nashville's Super Bowl moment and its global spotlight Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Stephanie Coleman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-coleman-1956775/ | https://nashvillechamber.com/ Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshot.agency/health Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshot.agency/health Follow The Spark: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ #TheSparkPodcast #CreativeAssembly #NashvilleLeadership #ChamberOfCommerce #CivicLeadership #EconomicDevelopment

    Nashville's Unfinished Story: Leadership and the City's Next Chapter with Stephanie Coleman

  8. Jul 2

    From Side Hustle to Specialized Success: Building a Brand Lawyers Trust with Ashley Robinson

    div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> What happens when you accidentally build a marketing agency out of a side hustle, and then have to decide whether to bet everything on it? Ashley Robinson, founder and CEO of Green Cardigan Marketing, joins host Mark Scrivner to share how a criminal defense lawyer's side project turned into an agency serving 70 to 90 law firms a month. Ashley walks through her decision to niche exclusively into legal marketing, why she believes "riches are in the niches," and how she's built trust with a client base that's demanding, driven, and skeptical of marketing spend. The conversation covers agency positioning, letting go of control as a founder, building client trust through better questions, and where AI fits into her operations today. For agency owners weighing specialization against staying general, this episode is a practical playbook: how to pick a lane, communicate it clearly, and build a team around it. Episode Highlights 04:25 – Ashley shares how she became an "accidental agency owner," starting as a side hustle for a criminal defense lawyer in Atlanta 06:43 – The story behind the name Green Cardigan Marketing, inspired by golf and the Masters' green jacket 09:11 – The moment Ashley decided to go all-in on her agency in the early days of COVID 18:41 – Ashley makes the case for niching down: "riches are in the niches" 23:36 – Her go-to trust-building strategy: ask questions before you talk 25:56 – How Green Cardigan is using AI across operations and client work 33:43 – Ashley's proudest moments as a founder, centered on her team and client impact 39:25 – Closing advice for overwhelmed agency owners: narrow your focus Learn More & Connect: Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/  Connect With Ashley Robinson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyrobinsongcm/  | https://greencardiganmarketing.com/  Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner  | https://snapshot.agency/health  Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshot.agency/health   Follow The Spark: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/  #TheSparkPodcast #CreativeAssembly #AgencyGrowth #NicheMarketing #LegalMarketing #AgencyOwner

    From Side Hustle to Specialized Success: Building a Brand Lawyers Trust with Ashley Robinson
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The Spark Podcast amplifies Nashville's creative voices, showcasing diverse talents and fostering growth through shared journeys. By exploring the unique experiences and stories of the city's agency owners, innovators, and creators, the podcast inspires connection and collaboration, reflecting Nashville's rich creative culture. Mission Statement Our mission is to amplify Nashville's diverse creative voices, foster growth through shared journeys, and inspire a city that thrives on collaboration. The Spark Podcast is more than a platform—it's a gathering place for stories that uplift and connect Nashville's creative heartbeat. Together, we celebrate what makes our city unique, cultivating a vibrant community where creativity thrives.

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