Shows
Agency Leadership PodcastLimiting scope creep from the start
In this episode, Chip and Gini delve into the topic of scope creep in agencies. They discuss the bell curve of profitability and the importance of setting clear expectations from the first client conversation.
They highlight strategies like dividing projects into 90-day scopes to regularly reassess goals and deliverables. The duo emphasizes the significance of internal communication, developing a culture of transparency, and ensuring team members understand project scope and costs.
They also stress the need to build flexibility and cushion into initial pricing to manage minor scope changes and avoid financial strain. Finally, they...2025-05-0800 min
The Chats with Chip PodcastThought leadership for agency growth (featuring Melissa Vela-Williamson)
In this episode, Chip talks with Melissa Vela-Williamson of MVW Communications about her unique journey in public relations and the importance of content creation. Melissa shares her background, highlighting her non-traditional path into PR and her passion for using public relations for social good.
They discuss her focus on helping nonprofits and education clients, her role as a content creator, and her work as a columnist for the Public Relations Society of America. Melissa also delves into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her business and the strategic approaches she took to maintain client relationships and...2025-05-0630 minAgency Leadership PodcastPricing psychology for agency clients
In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the psychology of pricing within agencies. They cover topics such as the importance of being confident in your pricing, avoiding negotiating against oneself, and the benefits of premium pricing.
Gini highlights her experiences with male and female negotiators, emphasizing how women often undervalue themselves. The duo debates the effectiveness of the ‘three pricing options’ strategy and its pitfalls. They also offer practical advice for owners to ensure their pricing sends the right message to clients and reflects the true value of their services.
Key takeaways
Chip Griffin: “If you...2025-05-0121 minAgency Leadership PodcastIdentifying and managing agency owner burnout
In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the prevalent issue of burnout among agency owners. They explore the different types of burnout, including cyclical and long-term burnout, and offer strategies to identify, cope with, and prevent it.
Key recommendations include taking regular breaks, understanding personal energy drains and boosts, and adjusting work habits accordingly. They emphasize the importance of self-care, realistic time management, and the necessity to avoid making major decisions while burned out. Chip and Gini also share personal experiences and practical tips to help agency owners manage their workload more effectively.
Key takeaways2025-04-2419 minAgency Leadership PodcastAgency owners review 2024 performance, assess outlook
In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the latest quarterly SAGA owner survey, which provides a mixed bag of results for agencies.
They explore key findings, including the cautious optimism displayed by respondents, concerns about economic conditions, and the impact of government policies. Despite the varied performance of agencies, many are still managing to move forward.
The discussion also delves into the benefits of project work, the size of client bases, and the lack of mergers and acquisitions activity. Chip and Gini encourage agency owners to stay informed about macroeconomic trends but also to focus...2025-04-1019 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHelping PR agency clients navigate a challenging communications climate (featuring Rachel Sales)
In this episode, Chip talks with Rachel Sales from the PR agency Enunciate about managing client communications in a chaotic world.
Rachel discusses the importance of empathy and strategy in addressing news and its impact on clients. They explore whether brand leaders should comment on current affairs, emphasizing the need for authenticity and aligning with business goals. Rachel shares a process for determining when and how clients should respond to news events.
The conversation also covers the evolving media landscape, the shift towards contributed content, LinkedIn strategies, and the importance of humanizing client messaging in...2025-04-0826 minAgency Leadership PodcastPreparing your agency for an uncertain future
In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss what agency owners can do to weather the current climate of economic uncertainty and potential recession. They suggest preparing for different economic scenarios by creating best, neutral, and worst case plans, cutting unnecessary expenses, and keeping lines of communication open with team members.
Chip and Gini also touch on the idea of diversifying income streams and being flexible with the type of work taken on, while cautioning against overreacting to market changes. They share personal experiences and practical steps to help agency owners lead through economic downturns.
Key...2025-03-2720 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHow to support your team in times of stress (featuring Patrick Rogan)
In this episode, Chip discusses with Patrick Rogan of IgnitionHR the challenges small agency owners face in supporting stressed employees.
They delve into the impact of both work-related and external stressors on employee performance, noting the increased stress during and after COVID-19. Patrick shares strategies for addressing these issues, such as maintaining open communication, offering flexibility, and utilizing employee assistance programs.
They also discuss the balance between being supportive and maintaining business operations, emphasizing the importance of creative solutions and understanding regulatory requirements.
Key takeaways
Patrick Rogan: “Looking at some recent data fr...2025-03-1832 minAgency Leadership PodcastChoosing the right exit strategy as an agency owner
In this episode, Chip and Gini explore strategies for agency owners contemplating an exit plan. They discuss the importance of planning and the different options available, depending on the agency’s size and structure.
They talk about the limited choices for solopreneurs, as well as a wider variety of possibilities for larger agencies, including mergers, transferring ownership to employees, or simply stepping back from daily operations.
They emphasize the need for a solid timeline and a leadership team to ensure a smooth transition and successful exit. Additionally, they caution about potential pitfalls and unrealistic expectations, sh...2025-03-1321 minAgency Leadership PodcastManaging remote workers without micromanaging
In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the ongoing challenge of managing remote workers in the PR and marketing agency world.
Five years after most agencies leaned in to remote or hybrid work models, many owners and managers continue to struggle with finding the right approach to managing employees that they don’t see in person every day.
Chip and Gini address misconceptions about remote work, emphasize the importance of clear communication and trust, and highlight the need for detailed expectations and accountability. They advocate for flexibility and open dialogue between employers and employees.
...2025-03-0622 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastClient perspectives on agencies in 2025 (featuring Lee McKnight, Jr.)
In this episode, Chip chats with Lee McKnight, Jr. from RSW/US about the findings from their latest survey on agency and marketer perspectives.
They discuss key topics such as the discrepancies between agencies’ efforts to productize services versus clients’ preference for customized solutions, the increasing trend towards fixed-fee pricing over hourly billing, and the importance of staying ahead of trends to meet client expectations.
The conversation touches on the effectiveness of direct outreach and the role of AI and short-form video in modern agency practices. They also highlight the need for more meaningful client conv...2025-03-0432 minAgency Leadership PodcastUsing AI the right way for agency biz dev
In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the practical uses and pitfalls of AI in agency lead generation and business development.
They criticize the common misuse of AI for impersonal, high-volume outreach, which often results in off-putting and ineffective communication. Instead, they advocate for leveraging AI as a tool to enhance efficiency in tasks such as creating brand personas, drafting messages, and organizing proposals, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a human touch in business development.
The episode also highlights various AI tools and strategies to support agency growth without compromising personal relationships and quality.2025-02-2718 minAgency Leadership PodcastWhat freelancers should know before they become agency owners
In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the transition from being a freelancer to an agency owner. They delve into the common fears and challenges associated with hiring employees and emphasize the importance of having structured processes and systems.
The episode also explores topics such as the strategic direction of a business, handling pricing models, and the significance of building a team that you trust if your goal is to eventually sell the agency. Chip and Gini highlight the need to evolve business plans based on life phases and market demands, enabling freelancers to effectively scale their...2025-02-2016 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCommunicating in the face of chaos, confusion, and conflict (featuring Karen Swim)
In this episode, Chip talks with Karen Swim of Solo PR Pro about the challenges faced by solos and small agency owners in the current chaotic environment. They discuss the impact of economic, political, and societal issues on public relations and communications, emphasizing the need for adaptability in business strategies.
They highlight the importance of diversifying communication tactics beyond traditional media relations, focusing on owned and internal communications, and the value of continuous business development. The conversation also covers managing anxiety among employees, clients, and agency owners themselves, and the importance of peer support and professional community...2025-02-1830 minAgency Leadership PodcastHow to get your team the mentorship they need
In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of mentorship for small agency employees. They explore various approaches including informal and formal mentorships, organic development of mentor-mentee relationships, and bringing in external consultants for mentorship.
Gini shares her personal experiences, highlighting the challenges of forced mentorship and the benefits of organically developed relationships.
The hosts emphasize the need for managers to support and mentor their employees, leveraging both internal and external resources, and the value of making time to mentor individuals outside one’s own organization.
Key takeaways
Gini Dietrich: “Keep in m...2025-02-1319 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHow agency owners can avoid scope creep (featuring Steve Guberman)
In this episode, Chip talks with Steve Guberman of Agency Outsight about coaching agency owners through problems that they universally face.
Steve shares insights into setting realistic expectations with clients, avoiding over-servicing, and adjusting scopes and pricing appropriately.
Key topics include continuous communication, team involvement in the sales process, and the value of postmortems to learn from both successes and failures.
Additionally, they discuss the benefits of asking questions, remaining curious, and leveraging referrals and testimonials for business growth.
Key takeaways
Steve Guberman: “I think most creative professionals are accidental bu...2025-02-0431 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastBuilding effective business development systems (featuring Jody Sutter)
In this episode, Chip talks with Jody Sutter of The Sutter Company, a frequent contributor. They discuss strategies for small agencies, emphasizing the importance of clear positioning and targeted messaging for effective business development.
They highlight the necessity for agency owners to identify their strengths and leverage them, using methods like 12-week sprints to achieve incremental progress. They also address the challenges agencies face when looking for quick revenue boosts and the significance of tapping into existing networks.
Key takeaways
Jody Sutter: “I think business development is one of those things that the tools ma...2025-01-1433 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastContent, consistency, and conversions for agency biz dev (featuring Lee McKnight Jr.)
In this episode, Chip discusses agency business development with regular guest and seasoned expert Lee McKnight Jr., of RSW/US. The conversation covers the challenges agencies have been facing in 2024, such as prolonged sales cycles and client budget constraints.
They discuss survey findings indicating optimism among agencies. The dialogue also explores the role of AI in business development, emphasizing its current limitations but potential in the future.
They advocate for a consistent, omnichannel approach, stressing the importance of referrals and content creation like podcasts and videos to foster expertise and client relationships. The episode concludes...2024-10-0130 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastExpert advice on putting your agency in a position to succeed (featuring David C. Baker)
In this episode, Chip talks with David C. Baker, who has been dubbed “the expert’s expert.” He leads the advisory firm Punctuation, and has worked with more than 1,000 agencies to help them get better positioned for success.
The discussion focuses on improving agency management and scalability by emphasizing the importance of understanding business fundamentals and integrating them alongside the creative and strategic solutions.
Key topics include the benefits of proper positioning, effective client communication, strategic pricing, and the importance of sharing expertise.
Key takeaways
David C. Baker: “If there’s one thing I co...2024-06-2533 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastPractical HR advice on new overtime and non-compete rules (featuring Patrick Rogan)
Patrick Rogan of Ignition HR joins Chip to discuss the FTC’s new ruling on non-compete agreements and expected adjustments to overtime pay regulations.
They discuss strategies for managing overtime and compensation issues in small agencies, highlighting the importance of compliance, proactive planning, and seeking HR assistance when necessary.
Key takeaways
Chip Griffin: “It’s important to plan in both cases as if these regulations will take effect because it’s a lot easier to back off on whatever plans you might have than it is to scramble at the last second to figure out what...2024-05-0739 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastModernizing leadership in meetings (featuring Brad Farris)
Meetings have evolved over the last few decades, so shouldn’t the agency owner’s role have changed?
In this episode, Chip and Brad Farris of Anchor Advisors discuss the importance of effective leadership and meetings in agencies, emphasizing the owner’s unique role in providing vision and direction.
They explore the need for well-structured meetings with agendas, purpose, and active participation from all members.
The conversation touches on techniques for better meetings, the role of leaders in encouraging participation, and the value of appreciating contributions and creating positive meeting experiences.
Key ta...2024-04-0929 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastStorytelling and a helpfulness mindset for agency owners (featuring Kristian Alomá)
Author of Start with the Story: Brand-Building in a Narrative Economy, Kristian Alomá knows the value of brand storytelling for agencies and businesses.
In this episode, Kristian shares insights about his agency, Threadline, and the art of crafting a narrative that is relevant, meaningful, and inspiring to the audience. He and Chip cover the evolution of brand stories over time and the need for agencies to live their own brand stories.
Chip and Kristian also discuss the value of a helpfulness mindset for growing a thriving agency. The importance of building trust and evolving with cus...2024-03-1231 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastAgency salary and compensation trends in 2024 (featuring Nicholas Petroski)
In this episode, Chip talks with Nicholas Petroski, founder of Promethean Research.
Chip and Nick discuss digital agency salaries and the findings of a recent research report on the topic. They delve into the importance of balancing billable hours, the impact of pricing on agency profitability, and the role of benefits and stipends in attracting and retaining talent.
They also touch on the need for standardization of job titles in the agency industry.
Key takeaways
Chip Griffin: “You need to be thinking about pricing and salaries hand in hand if you’re going...2024-03-0527 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastResiliency and remote teams in an agency (featuring Xaña Winans)
Xaña Winans of Golden Proportions Marketing says that resiliency may be her superpower, and that’s a characteristic many agency owners needed to tap into as the pandemic upset existing business structures.
Like many owners, Xaña has kept her team remote. She shares some of her experience about how she made that transition and manages a team that is no longer full-time in the office. She talks about some of the challenges, as well as opportunities that creates.
In this conversation, Xaña also talks about how she started with a clear focus with...2023-10-3129 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastEvolving as your agency grows (featuring Jason Swenk)
In this episode, Chip talks with Jason Swenk of Agency Mastery 360 about the intricate dynamics of agency growth, operations, and sales. The discussion touches upon multiple challenges that agency owners grapple with daily, offering a number of actionable insights.
The Accidental Agency Owner: Jason himself began as an accidental agency owner at 22 when he designed a website poking fun at the pop band, NSYNC. From there, he scaled to an eight-figure agency with over 100 employees before selling. The “accidental” trajectory resonates with many in the agency world, leading to unique challenges and growth patterns.
The Importance of Clarity: Jaso...2023-10-1026 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHow agencies should think about Wikipedia in 2023 (featuring Bill Beutler)
Few people in the agency world know more about the effective use of Wikipedia than Bill Beutler. As the founder of Beutler Ink, he and his team don’t just advise people about this popular platform, they also help clients communicate more effectively with infographics and other formats.
In this episode, Chip talks with Bill about the evolution of Wikipedia in recent years and how agencies can help their clients navigate the sometimes confusing editing ecosystem without getting themselves into trouble.
The pair also discuss how artificial intelligence impacts Wikipedia and communicators.
Key ta...2023-09-2630 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHow to make conversations with your agency employees less difficult (featuring Allyns Melendez)
If you dread difficult conversations, Allyns Melendez of HR Transformed has some great tips to make them easier — or perhaps to head them off altogether with better communications.
In this episode, Chip and Allyns talk about ways that you can solicit ongoing feedback from agency employees and build a management structure that encourages meaningful two-way conversations.
Of course, difficult conversations can’t always be avoided. When you need to have them, Allyns suggests a framework for those meetings that will make them less painful and more productive.
Key takeaways
Allyns Melendez: “Junior leader...2023-09-1230 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastProcess matters for agencies (featuring Juliana Marulanda)
In this episode of Chats with Chip, Juliana Marulanda of ScaleTime explains why creating and documenting repeatable processes for your agency can make a big difference in outcomes for your business and your clients.
Juliana helps agency owners understand how to get started and what pitfalls to avoid as they begin to implement a process-driven approach.
Key takeaways
Chip Griffin: “I would argue that small agencies in particular need process even more than large agencies. Because they don’t have a lot of labor hours that they can throw at a problem.”
Juliana Marulanda: “Most emp...2023-08-1530 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCo-authoring a book with an all-star team (featuring Kami Huyse)
Have you ever thought about writing a book to leverage as a tool for demonstrating your expertise and building the profile of yourself and your agency?
Kami Huyse, CEO of Zoetica Media, teamed up with a group of talented communicators as a co-author of The Most Amazing Marketing Book Ever. In this episode, she explains how it all got started, the process they followed, and what she has taken away from the experience.
She also offers up advice for others thinking about writing a book, especially with collaborators, and talks about how the book can...2023-07-1824 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastBuilding a strong financial foundation for your agency (featuring Ryan Watson)
In this episode of Chats with Chip, Ryan Watson of Upsourced discusses the critical role that financial planning has in growing a successful agency.
Ryan explains that the fundamentals that you need to follow will help you in good times, as well as in any possible recession that may (or may not) be on the horizon. He notes that the impact in an economic downturn varies from one agency to the next, so your best bet is to prepare for any outcome.
Chip and Ryan also talk about the difference between tax accounting and business...2023-05-0933 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastShould Chip stop blindly hating RFPs for agencies?
In this episode of Chats with Chip, Simon Erskine Locke of CommunicationsMatch joins for a discussion about agencies and RFPs.
Regular listeners know that Chip doesn’t disguise how much he despises the RFP process that many agencies subject themselves to. He has argued that agency leaders should simply hit the delete key whenever an RFP shows up in their inbox.
Simon takes a more nuanced view of RFPs and explains how they can be done better. He also suggests that if an agency does its due diligence before responding, they might be able to mo...2023-05-0238 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastJumpstarting your agency’s business development (featuring Adam Graham)
Adam Graham, Founder of both Gray Matters and BD Matters, brings a wealth of agency business development expertise to the table in this episode of Chats with Chip.
When agency owners focus on sales, it tends to be because they are looking to quickly grow or rapidly replace lost revenue. Adam explains the importance of having a plan and a process in place instead of launching haphazardly into an outreach program.
Chip and Adam also discuss the importance of proper positioning for the agency and why having a clear focus and specialization makes sales business d...2023-04-2530 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastGrow your agency by developing relationships at scale (featuring Dan Englander)
Manageable agency growth doesn’t come from mass communication, but rather by developing real relationships with prospects.
In this episode of Chats with Chip, Dan Englander of Sales Schema explains how agencies can develop these relationships at scale — even with limited resources.
Dan has recently written a new book, Relationship Sales at Scale, that explains how to balance the right amount of automation and personalization to achieve the kind of agency growth you are seeking.
Chip and Dan talk about the challenges that small agencies have when it comes to business development and how...2022-06-0729 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastLeveraging overseas talent to grow your agency (featuring Noel Andrews)
Agencies in the United States and elsewhere are faced with a challenging labor market that makes hiring for needed roles more difficult than ever. Finding the right talent at the right time is never easy, so what options do agencies have?
In this episode of the Chats with Chip Podcast, Noel Andrews of JobRack explains how talent from Eastern Europe and other parts of the world can supplement your workforce.
With agencies more comfortable than ever with remote workers, commute time to an office is no longer a limiting factor in most hiring decisions. Why...2022-05-0328 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastGetting a handle on your agency’s finances (featuring Jon Morris)
Most agency owners didn’t go to school to learn about business management and financial reporting. For many, it is a necessary evil that comes along with being able to do the creative work that they enjoy.
In this episode of Chats with Chip, Jon Morris of Ramsay Innovations shares his perspective as a former agency owner turned agency financial advisor. He explains the key reports that agencies should be paying attention to, as well as why they matter to the future success of the business.
Rather than treating finance as something that must be do...2022-04-1934 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHow to manage agency projects for profitable results (featuring Galen Low)
Many agency employees find themselves feeling overworked today. A combination of a shortage of available talent coupled with increasing client demand can make for a difficult time getting projects done on-time and on-budget.
Galen Low, co-founder of The Digital Project Manager, joined Chip on this episode to talk about how agencies can improve their project management skills to improve the results that they produce for clients while also contributing to the agency’s bottom line.
Galen offers practical advice for the processes, software, and staffing needed to produce the desired results. He offers concrete examples of...2022-04-1234 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastThe evolution of agency events (featuring Carl Smith)
When we last visited with Carl Smith, his Bureau of Digital was just beginning a substantial forced transformation. The world was shutting down, and as an events-focused business, the Bureau was facing tough times.
Two years later, the Bureau of Digital has transformed itself, building a substantial membership base and producing a variety of virtual, hybrid, and in-person events for the agency community.
In this episode of Chats with Chip, Carl describes the journey and talks about what has worked — and what hasn’t. He also peers into his crystal ball to share a bit abou...2022-04-0530 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastGrowing an influencer marketing agency (featuring Jess Phillips and Dylan Conroy)
In this episode of Chats with Chip, Jessica Phillips, CEO/Founder of The Social Standard, and that agency’s Chief Revenue Officer, Dylan Conroy, discuss their approach to growing the business.
The conversation focuses on the journey from founding through the pandemic and into the future.
Many agency owners think about having someone dedicated to business development in their small agency, but fewer have done it successfully. This episode takes a look at why Jessica and Dylan believe it has worked well in their case and what lessons it might provide for others.
Re...2022-02-0132 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCreating winning new business strategies for your agency (featuring Shannyn Lee)
In this episode of Chats with Chip, Shannyn Lee of Win Without Pitching joins to talk about how agencies can step up their business development game.
Agency owners don’t need to be sales-y to generate new revenue, and Shannyn shares some of her best advice on finding the right prospects to work with you and your team.
Resources
Win Without PitchingShannyn Lee on LinkedIn
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Chip Griffin
Hello, and welcome to another episode of C...2021-11-0230 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHow agencies can manage the new work landscape (featuring Miles Everson)
Miles Everson, CEO of MBO Partners, joins Chip to talk about the challenges that agencies are facing in this new era of work — and how they can find success while mitigating risks.
This conversation explores important topics like hybrid work, contractors versus employees, the new outlook that many employees and employers have after a year of remote work, and more.
Opportunities abound for agencies that are prepared to adapt and innovate, but risks remain and it is important to understand how to balance the two.
Resources
MBO Partners
View the transcript
Th...2021-08-0330 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastManaging your agency’s financials for better results (featuring Chris Hervochon)
Chris Hervochon, a CPA with extensive experience working with small agencies, shares his advice on how to manage your business more effectively by understanding and using your financial reports.
Resources
Chris Hervochon CPA
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Chip Griffin: You’re listening to Chats with Chip on the FIR Podcast Network, featuring conversations with agency owners and experts.
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Chats with Chip podcast. I’m Chip Griffin, and I’m very pleased to hav...2021-06-0830 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastFinding relevant journalists and influencers (featuring Samantha Deeks)
In this episode of Chats with Chip, Samantha Deeks of PRgloo talks about finding and reaching out to influencers and journalists who can help your agency’s clients.
Samantha explains why she founded PRgloo and looks at the journey they have taken. She also takes a look into the future — both of her product and the industry.
The conversation focuses on the need to avoid PR spam and instead build real relationships — and how effective tools can help advance that goal.
Resources
PRgloo
Samantha Deeks on LinkedIn
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The following is a c...2021-04-1430 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHow finding focus drives agency growth (featuring Max Borges)
Chip is joined by Max Borges of the appropriately-named Max Borges Agency who talks about the evolution of his agency, including how he got started with no PR experience.
When he got started, Max was like many agency owners: he did anything for money. Over time, he got smarter to build an agency that worked for him.
Max discusses how he found focus for his agency and the difference it made in driving growth. He also shares the reason why ex-salespeople make great media relations professionals.
Finally, Max offers practical advice on how...2020-10-0630 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCreating new lines of business for your agency (featuring Annelise Worn)
Annelise Worn joins Chip on this episode to talk about how she has built a business that meets her unique needs and allows her to maintain a passion for what she does.
She took her agency and created a whole new source of revenue to complement the traditional business.
Annelise takes you along on the path that she followed — and why she made the choices that she did.
If you have ever thought about how to create new revenue streams for your own agency business, you will find a lot to learn from An...2020-09-1722 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHow to become microfamous to help grow your agency (featuring Matt Johnson)
Matt Johnson joins Chip to discuss his book MicroFamous and how agency owners can apply the concepts to grow their own businesses.
The pair talk about the value of podcasting and where it is headed. They also talk about Matt’s experience in working with businesses to help them become active in podcasting to generate leads, increase their knowledge, and achieve results.
Resources
Pursuing ResultsMicroFamousMatt Johnson on LinkedIn
Transcript
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Chip Griffin
Hello, and welco...2020-08-1829 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastSpinning off a SaaS business from your agency (featuring Chris Dickey)
Many entrepreneurs have thought about creating a new business alongside the agency that they already own. That’s exactly what Purple Orange Brand Communications founder Chris Dickey did when he started Visably, a software-as-a-service business that marries public relations with search engine optimization (SEO).
In this conversation with Chip, we hear Chris discuss the journey he has taken over the past decade and where he sees things headed. He offers practical suggestions for other agency owners who may be considering starting a second business to complement their current revenue streams.
Resources
Connect with Ch...2020-08-1123 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastBuilding the agency you want to own (featuring Chris Williams)
On this episode, Chip is joined by Chris Williams. The pair discuss what it takes to create an agency that you are happy to own and delivers the results you want.
Chris talks about how he used to be an agency owner who spent 16 hours a day grinding away at a business that didn’t generate the kind of returns that it should. He explains some of the steps he took to get on the right path for him — one that lets him spend less than an hour a day on agency work. He shares his experience with...2020-08-0431 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastProducing writing at scale (featuring Vincent D’Eletto)
On this episode of Chats with Chip, Vin D’Eletto of Word Agents joins the show to discuss his experience building an agency focused on providing writing that drives SEO. The pair discuss lessons for how agencies of all types can better manage the ongoing need for content, including recruiting writers and managing the process to deliver quality results for clients.
Resources
WordAgents@WordAgents on Twitter
Transcript
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Chip GriffinHello, and welcome to the Chats with Ch...2020-07-2820 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastBuilding successful partnerships between agencies (featuring Jeremy Jackson)Chip and Jeremy Jackson of Shift Lab discuss the agency partnership model and how it can be used as a tool for growth. They go over the benefits of partnerships for specialized agencies as a way to compete more effectively for business opportunities.
They also talk about how designers and developers can mesh together on a project, and some of the challenges they’ve faced in the past trying to sync up teams with different backgrounds and perspectives.
Resources
Connect with Jeremy on Linkedin and Twitter
Shift Lab website
About Jeremy Jack...2020-06-3025 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastGetting agency business development right (featuring Dan Englander)On this week’s episode, Dan Englander of Sales Schema joins Chip to talk about approaches to business development that are working for agencies today. The pair discuss what’s working, what has changed, and what lies ahead.
Resources
Connect with Dan on LinkedIn
Sales Schema website
Sales Schema on Facebook
About Dan Englander
Dan Englander is the CEO and Founder of Sales Schema, a fractional new business team for marketing agencies, and he hosts The Digital Agency Growth Podcast. Previously Dan was the first employee head of new business at IdeaRocket, and befo...2020-06-2324 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHow agencies can use LinkedIn ads to grow their businesses (featuring Anthony Blatner)In this conversation, Anthony Blatner of Modern Media explains how agencies can use advertising on LinkedIn to grow their businesses. Anthony offers practical tips on how agencies should think about LinkedIn advertising from the perspective of building a pipeline of prospects and increasing revenue.
Resources
Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn
Modern Media’s website
Modern Guide to Lead Generation
LinkedIn Advertising Strategies Facebook Group
Transcript
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CHIP: Hello, and welcome to another episode of Chats with Ch...2020-06-0928 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastA reality check for agency owners (featuring Brad Farris)The Covid-19 crisis isn’t just a bump in the road for PR and marketing agencies. If you’re hoping to weather the storm and see a return to normal later this year, you’re likely to be disappointed.
At the same time, there are plenty of opportunities for agencies that look to innovate and adapt. Brad Farris of Anchor Advisors joins Chip to talk about what agencies should be doing right now.
The pair emphasize the importance of not thinking about the present as a “new normal” and instead looking ahead to what will become the...2020-05-1240 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastMeeting the HR challenges of agencies during the Covid-19 crisis (featuring Patrick Rogan)Agency leaders and their employees have fresh worries during the Covid-19 crisis. In addition to the usual human resources challenges any business faces, agencies must deal with a new wave of concerns.
In this conversation, HR consultant Patrick Rogan joined Chip Griffin to discuss how to handle a range of challenges, including:
How to communicate with agency staff right now
Handling furloughs, layoffs, and other changes
New paid sick leave and FMLA requirements
HR planning in a time of uncertainty
Issues to consider upon reopening offices
Resources
IgnitionHR
Transcript
The following...2020-04-3052 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastWhat does agency business development look like now? (featuring Lee McKnight Jr.)While most agency leaders spend part of their week dealing with business development, that’s what Lee McKnight Jr. and his team at RSW/US focus on all the time. Since he is out talking with and working for many PR and marketing agencies each week, he is in a great position to share how things look right now.
The Covid-19 crisis has certainly shaken up the agency world, and Lee offers insights on how sales and marketing is changing — and how agencies can make adjustments to help their own businesses.
Resources
RSW/US
RSW...2020-04-2830 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCoaches, consultants, advisers, and other help for your agency (featuring Ken Jacobs)Part of being successful in business is being willing to ask for help. Nowadays, there are plenty of opportunities to get the insight and advice you need if you know where to look.
With the wealth of options available, it can be difficult to figure out the difference between coaches, consultants, advisers, and others who might be able to lend a hand.
Ken Jacobs has a wealth of experience as both a leadership coach and agency business consultant. He has taken his background as an agency executive and now applies the lessons he has learned...2020-04-2127 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastImproving PR writing in an agency environment (featuring Don Bates)Writing lies at the heart of any public relations campaign. It takes real skill to effectively deliver the right messages in a compelling form.
In this episode, Don Bates demystifies the key elements of the writing process and offers practical tips on how agencies can get the most out of their available talent. Don is particularly generous in sharing a variety of useful resources, including an in-depth presentation he usually only shares in his paid workshops.
Resources
Get Published: 100% Guaranteed to Make You a Better Writer (Capitol Communicator)
4 clarity killers that PR pros should...2020-04-1429 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastThe power of creativity and community in difficult times (featuring Carl Smith)While the current crisis may be nothing like any of us has seen before, Carl Smith of the Bureau of Digital has been through a serious economic downturn and knows how it can impact running a business. He joins Chip on this episode to talk about the impact on the agency community.
Carl discusses how he is having to reinvent his own business of helping digital agencies, as well as how the community he has created is supporting each other. You’ll hear a lot of creative ideas that you may be able to use as you lo...2020-03-2329 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastMaking the transition to become a virtual agency (featuring Todd Zeigler)Many new PR and marketing agencies start out as “virtual” agencies where everyone works remotely and there is no physical office. But some agencies with their own office space have made the decision to swap leases for the virtual model.
Todd Zeigler of The Brick Factory in Washington, DC joins Chip on this episode to talk about how his agency reached the decision to go virtual and what steps they have taken to manage the transition with employees and clients.
Todd explains that it wasn’t really an overnight process, but rather an evolutionary one that e...2020-03-0326 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHow podcasts can help agencies and their clients (featuring Kelly Glover)Kelly Glover believes in the power of podcasting — and she has built her agency business around the medium. The Talent Squad books guests on shows, with a particular focus on promoting entrepreneurs and authors.
On this episode of Chats with Chip, Kelly shares her insights on podcasting with plenty of practical advice for agency leaders.
Chip and Kelly talk about the evolution of podcasting over the past couple of decades, as well as where it is going in the future. Kelly talks about how agencies can use podcasting to help grow their agency as well as...2020-02-2526 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastWhen students get a chance to run their own PR agency (featuring Amy Shanler)As higher education faces increasing pressure to not just educate students but better prepare them for gainful employment after graduation, the student-run PR agency model provides some useful lessons.
Boston University’s PRLab is the longest-running such program in the United States, and co-director Amy Shanler joined Chip on this episode to talk about what it is and how it works. She explains how the students handle not just client service, but also the business and operations side of running an agency.
This show includes valuable lessons — whether you’re a student yourself or an experi...2020-02-1824 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHow PRSA Counselors Academy helps agency owners (featuring Chuck Norman)Most agency owners find value in talking with their peers and understanding the challenges that they share in running PR firms. The PRSA Counselors Academy is a special interest group within the Public Relations Society of America that brings together agency entrepreneurs through events and other programming.
The Immediate Past Chair of Counselors Academy, Chuck Norman, joined Chip to talk about the group and how it brings benefits to agency owners. In addition to his volunteer role, Chuck is also the owner of S&A Communications.
In this episode, you will learn more about Chuck’s...2020-02-1126 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastLeveraging freelance writers for your agency (featuring Gideon Stein)Agencies have a constant need to “feed the beast” when it comes to content creation. Public relations and marketing firms have always had a strong reliance on the written word, but as clients become publishers and social media places increasing demands on scribes, the challenge of finding and managing writers only grows.
On this episode, Gideon Stein of Write Label explains how his team has built a roster of writers to help meet that need. There are lessons and ideas for anyone who is looking to outsource writing responsibilities or build their own network.
Gideon disc...2020-02-0424 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastMetrics and benchmarks to improve agency profits (featuring Marcel Petitpas)It’s one thing to believe you need to improve profitability at your agency, but where do you go for the metrics and benchmarks that help you grow your profits smartly?
One resource is Marcel Petitpas and The Agency Profit Podcast. He’s also the CEO and Co-Founder of Parakeeto, a software company that helps agencies improve their service — and their margins.
On this episode of Chats with Chip, Marcel explains some of the numbers that every agency owner should be watching, including why each is important. He also has some suggested guidelines for how to ben...2020-01-2824 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastBuilding a positive team culture at your agency (featuring Keith Scandone)Agencies evolve over time — and so do their team cultures. But they are always a reflection of the founder and key leaders.
Keith Scandone of O3 World joins Chip to talk about his experience and evolution over 15 years of running his own agency based in Philadelphia. He explains why he has prioritized culture — and hired help to focus on it. He talks about some of the challenges he has faced, including growing out of their existing space and managing team members in two locations.
The conversation also touches upon a difficult subject for many agency owne...2020-01-2129 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastNon-obvious trends and thinking for agency leaders (featuring Rohit Bhargava)For the past decade, Rohit Bhargava has written about non-obvious trends in an annual book series. He recently capped it off with a final volume: Non-Obvious Mega Trends. A self-described “reluctant futurist,” Rohit went from working in agencies to examining the trends that impact business and society.
In this episode, he and Chip discuss some of the observations, as well as an approach to looking at trends that may help agency leaders be more effective. One of the best pieces of advice he offers is this: “being more observant really is about paying attention to detail.” Sometimes it takes...2020-01-0724 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHow agencies can avoid common legal mistakes (featuring Sharon Toerek)Nobody likes to think about lawyers until they need one. Agency owners are no different, but planning ahead can make a world of difference in the outcome when it comes to legal matters.
Sharon Toerek, founder of Toerek Law and host of The Innovative Agency podcast brings a wealth of knowledge and experience on agency legal issues to the latest episode of Chats with Chip. She shares her experience and insight with listeners to help avoid common mistakes.
Among the topics that Chip and Sharon discuss:
Client contract structure and principles
Freelancer agreements
Brand...2019-12-1825 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastWhat it is like to sell an agency to a holding company (featuring Mitch Joel)Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sell your agency to one of the big holding companies? How does the dream compare to reality? What should you know before you make that decision?
Mitch Joel shares the perspective of someone who has done just that. He and his partners sold Twist Image to WPP. After remaining with the firm for several years after the acquisition, Mitch is now a prolific writer, podcaster, speaker, and more.
He is the host of one of the longest running podcasts, and he just welcomed Seth Godin...2019-12-1031 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastStarting an agency with an MBA in hand (featuring Paul Benson)Most agency owners don’t bring prior business experience to the role — let alone formal business education. Paul Benson is an exception to that rule of thumb. He earned his MBA before he took the leap into agency ownership.
In this episode, Paul shares his experience running a digital marketing agency and how the business training he received at Babson College has impacted his success.
Resources
Synapse SEM
Babson College
iProspect
Paul on LinkedIn
About Paul Benson
Paul Benson is the co-founder of Synapse SEM and a digital marketing expert with over...2019-11-0725 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastKey financial metrics for agency owners (featuring Darryl Salerno)Agency owners need to keep tabs on the financial health of their businesses, but many lack the backgrounds to know the numbers that matter most. Darryl Salerno’s long experience in advising agencies on financial matters makes him an excellent resource on this vital topic.
In this episode, Darryl explains which numbers agencies should be focused on and what benchmarks can help them evaluate their own success. He takes the mystery out of money matters and provides practical advice that any agency leader can put to work today.
Resources
Second Quadrant Solutions
Davis & Gilbert
PR...2019-11-0528 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastBuilding a large independent PR agency (featuring Ronn Torossian)Ronn Torossian has built one of the largest independent PR agencies in the U.S., and in this episode he shares some of the lessons he has learned along the way. A prolific content creator, Ronn frequently writes and speaks about issues facing the industry, and he is passionate about finding ways to improve modern public relations.
Ronn’s agency, 5WPR, recently announced that they were looking for small agencies to acquire. He explains exactly what he’s looking for and why he wants to supplement his firm’s already strong organic growth.
Resources
5WPR
5W...2019-10-3124 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHow agencies should think about AI and analytics (featuring Katie Robbert)Katie Robbert never planned to be an expert in AI and analytics, but she says she likes “numbers to add up” even though she considers herself bad at math. As a self-professed planner, Katie found herself telling stories with data, first for a pharmaceutical company and later for a PR agency.
Today, Katie is the co-founder and CEO of Trust Insights, a consultancy dedicated to working with clients to uncover valuable nuggets in the data that often piles up unused in many businesses.
Chip talks with Katie about how agencies can leverage data on their own...2019-10-2424 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastBusiness development mistakes agencies make and how to solve them (featuring Jody Sutter)Just about every agency leader worries about where the next new client will come from and how to land that new business. Many aren’t natural-born salespeople, so the process itself can be uncomfortable and even intimidating.
Jody Sutter brings decades of experience in agency business development to help owners and executives put in place programs and processes that generate revenue. In this episode of the Chats with Chip podcast, Jody shares some of the most common mistakes she sees agencies make and offers practical solutions listeners can implement in their own businesses.
Quotes
Jo...2019-10-2230 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastThe PR agency as a news-driven organization (featuring Sean Cassidy)When Sean Cassidy walked out of Tufts University in 1990, he graduated with a major in Cold War foreign policy — just as the Soviet Union was about to dissolve. He hadn’t aspired to a career in public relations, but it turned out he was a good writer and he caught the eye of a small agency owner.
Three decades later, Sean leads DKC, a prominent independent PR agency headquartered in New York. They recently rolled out a new tagline: “maximizing return on news.” In this episode, he explains why he believes PR agencies should be news-driven organizations and what...2019-10-1531 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastRebranding after an agency merger (featuring Trevor Francis)When Blue Engine Message & Media and JDA Frontline merged in 2018, the firms decided they would rebrand under a new name to better capture the essence of the sum as greater than the parts. In this episode, Trevor Francis discusses the opportunities and challenges that the merger has presented.
In particular, Trevor talks about how the team settled on Seven Letter as the new name for the business, how the integration process has been going, and the unique aspects of bringing together two agencies with differing partisan leanings.
Quotes
Chip: “How many four letter words we...2019-10-0825 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastEffective case studies for your agency (featuring Rachel Jacobs)
In this episode, Rachel Jacobs explains why case studies are critical to the scale and growth of agencies. Rachel, founder of Ecommerce Partnerships, reminds agency owners that their number one client is their own agency.
Step by step, you’ll learn how to integrate a case study opportunity before a client even signs the contract, who the audience should be, and the six key elements that make up a basic case study.
Quotes
Rachel: “There needs to be data, data needs to be at the core, there’s no point in telling a beautiful story. The data i...2019-10-0228 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastProfessional development for agency owners and employees (featuring Mike Rhodes)In this episode, we go Down Under for a deep dive into the business of WebSavvy, a Melbourne-based digital marketing agency founded by Mike Rhodes. He explains why he chose agency life over being a helicopter pilot, advice for fellow agency owners, effective team training, and much more.
Mike is also the founder of AgencySavvy, focused on education and training for agency owners. He is the co-author of The Ultimate Guide to Google AdWords with Perry Marshall and Bryan Todd.
One of the most striking parts of this conversation is just how much Mike is...2019-09-2530 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastAdvice for agencies on better use of video for clients (featuring Doug Simon)
Doug Simon is an expert in producing video for agencies and brands in both broadcast and social media. As CEO of the award-winning DS Simon Media, Doug has lengthy experience in getting clients’ spokespeople on television news. By arranging satellite media tours, providing behind the scenes video coverage, and servicing social media video production, Doug gets his clients’ positive stories out there.
In this episode of Chats with Chip, he addresses what the trends in both broadcast and social media mean for the future, as well as changes he is seeing in how clients and agencies work with...2019-08-2022 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastHow agencies can get the most out of LinkedIn (featuring Chuck Hester)Chuck Hester is a senior integrated marketing executive with deep experience in B2B and technology. He has worked in-house and on the agency side, so he brings a strong understanding and great perspective to this episode of Chats with Chip.
As the author of Linking In to Pay It Forward, Chuck provides advice to communicators on how to use LinkedIn effectively. In addition to his current role as Director of Strategic Communications for Fountain Forward, Chuck provides 1-on-1 advice for agency executives and on-site or virtual training for agency teams.
Quotes
Chuck on...2019-06-2523 min
Chats with ChipCWC 32: Leading an ethical agency (Mark McClennan)Mark McClennan hosts a weekly podcast where he explores ethical questions with public relations industry experts and agency leaders. He brings a wealth of his own experience to the mix, as a longtime senior agency executive and former National Chair of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Mark joined Chip on this episode to talk about some of the lessons he has learned and the advice he has for agencies as they work to navigate challenging ethical situations.
QUOTES
Mark McClennan: “There was a really interesting study that came out about probably eight to 1...2019-06-2327 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 32: Leading an ethical agency (Mark McClennan)Mark McClennan hosts a weekly podcast where he explores ethical questions with public relations industry experts and agency leaders. He brings a wealth of his own experience to the mix, as a longtime senior agency executive and former National Chair of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Mark joined Chip on this episode to talk about some of the lessons he has learned and the advice he has for agencies as they work to navigate challenging ethical situations.
Quotes
Mark McClennan: “There was a really interesting study that came out about probably eight to...2019-06-1827 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 29: Practical M&A advice for agency owners with Rick Gould of Gould+PartnersIn this episode of the Chats with Chip podcast, Rick Gould of Gould+Partners, an agency mergers and acquisitions advisory firm based in New York, provides useful insights for agency owners on the process of selling their agencies — including perspective on current trends in M&A.
By listening, you will learn:
How agencies are valued and ballpark estimates of typical multiples
When sellers pay buyers and the current mix of earn-outs versus cash at closing
Why owners need to prepare years in advance of a successful sale
Why agencies should be run as if they are go...2019-04-2344 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 28: Brent Lightner of Taoti CreativeBrent Lightner of Taoti Creative in Washington, DC joins the podcast to talk about how he became an accidental — but quite successful — agency owner.
At the dawn of the Netscape era, Brent took on a web development challenge in search of scholarship funds. Two decades later, he leads an award-winning creative firm.
“When I went to college, I was a chemistry and biology major, and I ended up getting accepted to Tulane medical school. And so this whole thing was supposed to come out with me being a doctor on the other end, and the websit...2019-04-1629 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 27: James Papiano on leadership & culture in agenciesIn the latest episode of Chats with Chip, James Papiano discusses the role of leadership and culture in the agency environment.
Topics discussed include:
Whether “culture” is a real thing or just a consulting buzzword designed to generate more fees.
The relationship between leadership and culture — and whether one can be good even if the other is weak.
The impact of accidental agency ownership on the culture of the business.
How to improve culture at an agency as a newly-hired leader.
The role of transparency in the business and how that can improve or impair culture.
Trans...2019-01-2225 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 26: Nick Petroski of Promethean ResearchNick Petroski of Promethean Research joined to talk about the outlook for digital marketing agencies in 2019 and beyond.
Among the findings of his firm’s research:
There is a movement from retainer-based revenue to project work for many digital agencies, with 55% of revenue now coming from project-based engagements.
Web design and development work remains the biggest revenue generator for most digital firms.
Digital agency owners are optimistic about 2019 and see top- and bottom-line numbers rising.
These firms expect growth to come largely at the expense of their competitors, although Promethean does see overall market growth likely.
Lis...2018-12-0626 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 25: Patrick Rogan on HR for small-to-midsize agenciesPatrick Rogan of Ignition HR joins to discuss how small and midsize agencies can meet their human resources needs with a combination of vendors, consultants, and in-house staff.
We explore when an agency needs to think about having in-house HR support and how part-time, fractional, and interim external resources can help.
Patrick also discusses why a good human resources function can help agencies perform better — and why ignoring it can introduce unnecessary risks.
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CHIP GRIF...2018-11-2927 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 24: Johna Burke of AMECJohna Burke, Global Managing Director of the International Association for Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC), joined to discuss Measurement Month and the challenges and opportunities for communicators.
Topics discussed include:
The evolution of measurement and evaluation
What the future holds for the practice of measurement and evaluation
How agencies play an important role in the measurement ecosystem
The importance of telling a story with data
Ways that communicators can begin their measurement journey with AMEC resources
Activities during Measurement Month that may be of interest to listeners
Automated Transcript
The following is...2018-11-1326 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 20: Gordon Platt of Gotham Media StrategiesGordon Platt of Gotham Media Strategies joined me to discuss how he came to start his own agency, including the impact of his previous experience in broadcast journalism.
He shares lessons that he has learned along the way and how he sees agency life today. Since Gordon provides both traditional PR agency services and also produces events, he talked about the value of the in-person connection and how it plays in to the overall communications toolkit.
We also have some discussion about the changing media landscape and how that can play to the advantage of...2018-10-2329 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 19: Craig Carroll on corporate reputation and measurementCraig Carroll, Executive Director of the OCR Network, joins Chip to discuss corporate reputation and the measurement and evaluation of corporate communications.
They explore current trends in corporate reputation, the rise of the CCO, and challenges in PR evaluation and media measurement.
Automated Transcript
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CHIP: Hello and welcome to another episode of the podcast. I’m Chip Griffin and my guest today is Craig Carroll. Craig is the executive director of the OCR Network. Welcome to the podcast.
CR...2018-10-1125 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 18: Jason Booms on how primary research can help communicatorsThe newest episode of Chats with Chip welcomes Jason Booms, Managing Director for Market and Influencer Research with CARMA North America.
Listen to the full episode for a definition of terms related to primary research, information about how online polls can be useful, and how to combine media analysis with primary research to make data-driven decisions.
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Chip Griffin: You’re listening to Chats with Chip on the FIR Podcast Network.
Hi, this is Chip Griffin, and m...2017-09-2928 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 16: Patrick Rogan on strategies to hire and retain talent in the PR industryThis week’s episode of Chats with Chip featured a conversation with Patrick Rogan, founder of IgnitionHR, about talent acquisition and retention in the PR industry.
Check out the full recording and written transcript to learn about strategies to find and keep talent, the changing workplace and hiring trends, and challenges facing PR agencies.
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Chip Griffin: You’re listening to Chats with Chip on the FIR Podcast Network.
Hi, this is Chip Griffin, and my guest...2017-05-1229 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 14: Scott Monty on building a consultancy to manage digital transformationThe most recent episode of Chats with Chip featured a conversation about consultancy and collaborative work to manage digital transformation with Scott Monty, CEO and co-managing partner of Brain+Trust Partners. Scott has a broad range of experience in the field of digital communication, including working as the head of social media for Ford Motor Company.
Listen to the show on the FIR Podcast Network or read the transcript below.
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Chip Griffin:
Hello, everyone. My guest today is...2017-04-1331 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 12: Terry Flannery on higher ed communications and marketingOn the most recent episode of Chats with Chip, Terry Flannery, Vice President for Communication at American University, joined Chip to discuss communication and marketing departments in higher education. With 20 years of experience in her field, Terry has had a front row seat to the ways digital innovation changed the higher education system and its departments. Tune in to hear about the importance and challenges of content strategy, audience targeted brand strategy, the future of communication and marketing at universities, and more. The post CWC #12: Terry Flannery on Higher Ed Communications and Marketing appeared first on FIR Podcast Network....2016-08-1830 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 11: Doug Haslam on social identity theftOn the latest episode of Chats with Chip, I am joined by Doug Haslam of Stone Temple Consulting who discusses his firsthand experience with social identity theft. Have you ever thought about what it might be like to lose control of your social network accounts to a hacker or miscreant? Do you know what it takes to regain control of something that you have spent years building? Doug’s experience has some important lessons for all of us. The post CWC #11: Doug Haslam on Social Identity Theft appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
Click to read the fu...2016-08-1726 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 10: Neville Hobson on AI and machine learning in PROn the latest episode of Chats with Chip, I’m joined by Neville Hobson to talk about the role artificial intelligence and machine learning will have in the public relations industry. Neville is the co-founder of the FIR Podcast Network and currently works for IBM — home of Watson. We talk about everything from the automated creation of news stories by computers to the role that big data plays in communications — with a digression or two along the way, of course. The post CWC #10: Neville Hobson on AI and Machine Learning in PR appeared first on FIR…
Click to read...2016-07-1931 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 9: Gini Dietrich and the business side of PRIn this episode of Chats with Chip, I am joined by Gini Dietrich of Arment Dietrich and the Spin Sucks blog to talk about the business of public relations.
We cover lots of ground, including the five reasons that Gini believes public relations firms fail to scale:
You Don’t Have a Business Plan
You Can’t Break Free from Client Work
Operating In Chaos
‘Freakin’ Technology! Who Can Keep Up?
Not Understanding the Whole “Measurement” Thing
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You’re listen...2016-05-2030 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 8: Karen Swim of SoloPR ProIn this episode of Chats with Chip, Karen Swim, President of SoloPR Pro and Words For Hire, joined me in discussing a wide range of issues related to independent public relations practitioners. Among the topics we discussed were: The benefits of being a SoloPR Pro member The difference between being an entrepreneur and a PR practitioner Achieving work-life balance as an independent consultant The impact of technology on solo PR pros How vendors can help one-person consulting shops Deciding whether and how to grow beyond a single employee The post #8: Karen Swim of SoloPR Pro appeared first on FIR Pod...2016-05-1328 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 7: Shonali Burke on Social PR, measurement, & moreShonali Burke educates and trains public relations pros to use modern media more effectively. Later this week, she will be hosting an online boot camp for communicators. In this episode of Chats with Chip, we discuss her Social PR Launchpad event, where she promises to help “unleash your inner superhero.” Of course, we cover a wide range of other topics, too, with a particular focus on a shared passion of ours: measurement. In fact, Shonali is the founder of the #measurepr Twitter chat and serves as a tireless advocate for improved assessments of all communications efforts.
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The fol...2015-11-0928 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 6: Gini Dietrich of Arment Dietrich (and Spin Sucks)Gini Dietrich is the founder and CEO of Arment Dietrich, a successful and growing PR agency based in Chicago. She has two books to her credit, and runs the very popular Spin Sucks blog, which also serves as the unofficial water cooler for the PR community. In this conversation, we explore everything from the business of PR to writing books, building an online community and more.
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Chip Griffin: I’m your host, Chip Griffin.
Gini Dietrich is the...2014-12-2228 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 5: Kami Huyse of Zoetica MediaKami Huyse is an award-winning leader in public relations, who writes and speaks frequently about the role of social media in modern communications. She brings two decades of experience to her role as CEO of Zoetica Media, where she connects clients with the communities that matter most to them. Like me, she went to college in the Washington D.C. area and graduated in 1994. She, however, was smart enough to choose a warmer climate when she was done with the nation’s capital, and she now lives and works in Texas.
In this podcast, we discussed how she...2014-12-1231 minThe Chats with Chip PodcastCWC 4: William Beutler of Beutler InkWilliam Beutler is the founder of Beutler Ink, a social media content agency that specializes in visual storytelling and content marketing. He’s done work for companies like Google, Verizon, and the NBA, to name just a few. For much of the past decade, he has been active as an editor of Wikipedia. And he recently co-authored an e-book helping to guide people through the often murky and seemingly treacherous waters of that site.
In this podcast, he discusses how he came to be involved with Wikipedia and ultimately launch an agency that, in part, focuses on helpin...2014-11-0329 min