Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan sits down with longtime friend and agency leader Jeff Eisenberg for a candid conversation about the art and practice of agency leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned agency owner or new to the business, this discussion is packed with real-world lessons and thoughtful perspectives that will help you elevate your leadership game and set your agency up for lasting success.

Jeff shares the compelling journey that led him from sports marketing with major league teams to purchasing and running his own ad agency. Now, as he transitions into author, teacher, and mentor, Jeff unveils the leadership strategies and philosophies that have served him throughout his decades-long career. The focal point of the conversation is Jeff’s new book, Beyond the Big: The Tiny Moments of Leadership, which takes a fresh, practical look at how small, everyday actions define truly great leaders.

Together, Drew and Jeff unpack the power of “tiny moments”—those micro-interactions and subtle choices that shape agency culture, empower teams, and foster real trust. They discuss actionable ways to be more present, why giving away power is essential, and how agency owners can break the habit of doing in order to focus on being and leading. Jeff also opens up about his own growth as a leader, offering relatable anecdotes, hard-won advice, and encouragement for leaders at every stage.  

Whether you’re planning for succession, looking to strengthen your core values, or simply hoping to increase your presence and impact, this episode is a treasure trove of actionable wisdom. Tune in for strategies you can start applying today, and get inspired to become the kind of leader your team will remember for years to come. 

A big thank you to our podcast’s presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They’re an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

• • Embracing leadership as a series of tiny, everyday moments  
  • The power of vulnerability and humility in strong leadership
  • Developing other leaders as a core responsibility for agency owners
  • Transitioning from “doing” to “being” present as a leader
  • Building and living authentic core values within your agency
  • Creating a culture of honesty, care, and “carefrontation”
  • The incremental, lifelong journey of improving as a leader

Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan welcomes back storytelling and branding pro Park Howell for an episode packed with practical advice, fresh perspectives, and a live demo you won’t want to miss. Park, a former agency owner turned global storytelling coach, joins Drew to discuss how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way agencies uncover, shape, and operationalize brand stories—making the process faster, smarter, and more tangible than ever before.

Park introduces listeners to his latest innovation, the Story Cycle Genie, an AI-powered tool built to transform months of intensive brand development into a streamlined, accessible process. Together, Drew and Park walk through a real-world example, using AMI’s own brand as a case study to demonstrate how the Genie analyzes existing content to reveal brand positioning, audience insights, emotional drivers, and actionable storytelling frameworks in minutes, not months. They discuss how the AI synthesizes agency websites, marketing materials, and other sources to uncover nuanced messaging and emotional resonance—while also surfacing areas for improvement that even seasoned agencies might overlook.

Listeners will gain a front-row seat to the genie’s output and hear candid reactions from Drew as he reflects on the accuracy and depth of the insights. The conversation also covers the evolving agency-client relationship when AI is part of the creative toolkit, tips for leveraging AI tools to enhance rather than replace human-led strategy, and why clients are hungry for agencies that use AI to deliver better, faster results—not just cheaper ones.  

If you’re curious about integrating AI into your branding processes, want to get a sense of how your agency shows up to the world, or simply want to understand the practical benefits AI can bring to storytelling and positioning, this episode is for you. By the end, you’ll walk away with a new understanding of how technology can amplify your agency’s value and effectiveness—without sacrificing the human touch that sets your work apart. 

A big thank you to our podcast’s presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They’re an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

• • Harnessing AI to streamline and enhance brand storytelling for agencies  
  • Verifying, revealing gaps, and inspiring new ways to position your agency brand
  • Using the story cycle framework to create actionable, measurable brand narratives
  • How AI tools can accelerate strategic branding work from months to minutes
  • Blending human insight and AI for more nuanced, emotionally resonant messaging
  • Leveraging brand clarity and emotional promise to drive agency growth and client trust
  • Exploring new business models and client services enabled by AI-powered brand strategy

Welcome to another insightful solo cast of the Build a Better Agency podcast! This week, host Drew McLellan takes you deep into a cornerstone topic for agency owners: building, retaining, and growing an exceptional team. Drawing on real-world conversations with agency leaders and years of industry experience, Drew breaks down the full lifecycle of stellar employee management that every agency needs to thrive.

Drew starts by revealing why agencies often miss the mark with generic job descriptions and lays out a compelling case for comprehensive, forward-thinking job documentation. He shares tips for crafting descriptions that not only clarify day-to-day expectations but also highlight growth opportunities, career paths, and clear metrics for success. You’ll discover why this clarity is key to motivating employees—and how it can help you retain top talent for the long haul.

The episode then explores the critical steps beyond hiring: thoughtful onboarding, regular one-on-one meetings, and a robust review process that supports ongoing professional growth. Drew demystifies quarterly mini-reviews and annual evaluations, emphasizing the power of frequent feedback and targeted growth goals. He also shares actionable ideas for establishing genuine personal connections, such as his “Dinner with Drew” tradition, fostering a culture where employees feel truly seen and valued.

If you’re looking for practical, actionable strategies to level up your agency’s employee experience and unlock deeper value from your team, this episode is a must-listen. Drew’s step-by-step ecosystem will not only help you develop happier and more loyal employees but will also empower you to drive agency growth from within. Don’t miss the downloadable resources mentioned in the show notes—your roadmap to a more engaged, high-performing agency starts here!

A big thank you to our podcast’s presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They’re an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

• • Crafting detailed, future-focused job descriptions to attract and retain top talent
  • Driving employee engagement and growth through thoughtful career pathing
  • Redefining onboarding with a deliberate, month-long approach
  • Empowering employees and supervisors via structured biweekly one-on-one meetings
  • Shifting from annual to quarterly reviews for real-time feedback and development
  • Fostering deeper connections through intentional, informal social interactions  
  • Sharing professional development as a mutual responsibility between agency and employee

Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan explores an essential yet often misunderstood business growth strategy: networking. Joined by networking expert Melissa Snow, Drew unpacks what truly effective networking looks like in today’s world and why building authentic connections can be the most powerful driver for agency success.

Melissa, founder of Powerful Women Rising, shares her journey from accidentally becoming an entrepreneur to discovering that genuine relationships—not flashy sales tactics—were the secret to her business growth. She breaks down outdated views of networking as stiff, transactional events and reveals how meaningful conversations and a spirit of helping others can transform your network into a vibrant support system. The duo discuss the difference between "making friends" and intentional networking, how to avoid being that "salesy weirdo," and why referrals rooted in real trust always carry more weight.

Listeners will walk away with practical strategies for approaching networking in a way that aligns with their personality, whether they're extroverts energized by a crowd or introverts who prefer small group conversations or virtual events. Melissa offers actionable ideas for nurturing connections, keeping track of valuable contacts, and balancing authenticity with intentionality. Plus, hear her tips on following up meaningfully—without overwhelming your busy schedule or feeling disingenuous. 

Don’t miss this empowering conversation if you’re ready to rethink networking as a sustainable, enjoyable, and business-boosting tool. You'll feel inspired to step out of your comfort zone, forge new relationships that really matter, and start building the kind of agency—and professional life—where genuine connection leads the way. 

A big thank you to our podcast’s presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They’re an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

• • Redefining networking as genuine relationship-building, not transactional selling  
  • The power of connections and referrals in growing your agency
  • Balancing authenticity with intentionality in professional networking
  • How to network effectively as an introvert or with limited time
  • Leveraging both in-person and virtual networking opportunities
  • Practical tips for meaningful follow-up and staying memorable
  • Making networking work for you, regardless of your personality or preferences