In this episode of The Spark, Eric Jackson—founder and CEO of Element 47—shares the journey that shaped his philosophy on leadership, culture, and service. From early lessons in print and web development to building a modern branding and marketing agency, Eric breaks down why self-awareness, communication, and clarity remain the core of every strong creative partnership.
Across the conversation, he and host Mark Scrivner dig into Nashville's evolving creative landscape, the rise of AI as a strategic partner, and the importance of collaboration across agencies rather than competition. Eric also explores his personal mission, "to connect and grow people," and how this purpose continues to guide his work, mentorship, and contributions to Nashville's entrepreneurial community.
00:00 – The question that reshaped Eric's purpose and leadership framework
01:03 – Eric joins The Spark and reflects on his podcasting experience
07:02 – Leaving film production behind and transitioning into web development
10:16 – Early days of website development and the "Wild West" internet era
15:04 – Discovering purpose, building culture, and creating Next Mile Network
27:00 – How AI shapes creative work and why human discernment still matters
44:16 – The biggest misconception about the agency business
Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/
Connect With Eric Jackson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericpauljackson/ | https://element47.co
Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com
Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com
