Shows
OnAgencyAgency Success Isn’t Always Scale: Building Longevity, Flexibility & FulfillmentGeorge Rafeedie, Founder of Tell Your Story, joins OnAgency to unpack what success really looks like after 17 years in business. From starting an agency during the Great Recession to rejecting “scale for scale’s sake,” George shares why sustainability, flexibility, and personal fulfillment can be stronger metrics than headcount or revenue alone.
This is a candid, grounded conversation about building an agency on your terms — and staying in the game long enough to enjoy it.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why longevity is an underrated (and powerful) measure of agency success
How starting a...
2026-01-2041 minOnAgencyScaling a Video-First Agency Without Losing the Art: Matt Cornelison of Fungi MediaFrom Chicago cicadas to LA peacocks, this episode starts weird (in the best way) and lands exactly where agency leaders are living right now: video everywhere, AI creeping into everything, and the constant tension between being the creator vs. being the CEO.
Patrick and Craig sit down with Matt Cornelison, founder of video-first creative agency Fungi Media, to unpack how he built a storytelling-led shop in a world where “everyone can make a video” — but very few can make a good one.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How Fungi Media got its name
The spra...
2025-12-0937 minOnAgency206 From Circuit City to Social Impact: Morgan Dye on Building a Mission-Driven AgencyWhat happens when you combine big-box retail training, public transit comms, and a deep belief in equity and access? You get Meraki Communications Group—an agency built entirely around mission, community, and leaving “a little bit of yourself” in every project.
In this episode, Patrick and Craig sit down with Morgan Dye, Co-Founder of Meraki Communications Group, to talk about naming an agency with intention, building a team that actually owns the work, and why curiosity is non-negotiable in modern communications.
Morgan walks through her journey from writing 12-word product descriptions at Circuit City to leadin...
2025-11-2648 minOnAgency205 Eileen Rochford on Building Mission-Driven Agencies, Remote Leadership, and “Clarity as Kindness”What happens when an agency leader stops chasing any revenue… and starts choosing clients who fuel purpose, culture, and joy?
This week, Patrick and Craig sit down with Eileen Rochford, Founder & CEO of The Harbinger Group, for one of the most candid and energizing conversations of the season.
Eileen opens up about her 23-year journey building a fully remote agency long before it was normal, the mindset shift that transformed her client roster, and why “clarity is kindness” has become a core leadership philosophy. From multi-generation workforce challenges to winning a national association RFP agains...
2025-11-1835 minOnAgency204 75 Years of Agency Legacy: Building Culture, Data, and the Future with Joe Shaker Jr.How does an agency not just survive—but thrive—for 75 years across three generations? Joe Shaker Jr., President of Shaker Recruitment Marketing, joins Patrick and Craig to unpack what it takes to build a culture that lasts, lead with data, and make patient, people-first decisions in a fast-moving industry.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How Shaker Recruitment Marketing has stayed relevant for 75 years through innovation and patience
The balance between family legacy and modern leadership in agency life
What makes a successful agency acquisition—and what can destroy one
How da...
2025-11-1133 minOnAgency203 Employer Branding That Scales: LEAP Create on Stories, Glassdoor Reality & Global CraftAcross the pond and deep in the EB trenches, Roger (Group Creative Director) and Sara McGregor (Managing Director) of Leap Create unpack how employer branding has matured—from HR side-projects to brand-critical work tied to measurable outcomes. They share what really separates EB from B2B, why employee voices beat influencers, and the unglamorous ops that let small teams punch way above their weight.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
EB ≠ B2B. Story-led, people-first work vs. transactional demand gen—and why modern marketing leaders are merging the two.
Who actually moves buyers. Employee...
2025-10-2147 minOnAgency202 Agency Operations Masterclass: Shauna Knuckles on Productized Services, Utilization & the Founder “Exit”Tired of logo-chasing and thin margins? Shauna Knuckles (Founder, Advocation) shows agency leaders how to turn chaotic service shops into scalable, wealth-generating assets—by productizing offers, fixing pricing and utilization, and engineering a real founder exit (from chaos, client work, ops, or sales).
In this episode, you’ll learn:
“Exit” redefined. Why founder exits aren’t just M&A—plus practical paths to exit chaos, client delivery, or day-to-day ops.
Productize for profit. How to convert custom work into repeatable services that others can sell and deliver—without you.
Price with math...
2025-10-2131 minOnAgency201 How Advertising Became Brand: Dennis Ryan on Story-Driven StrategyAdvertising veteran Dennis Ryan joins us to talk about the industry’s wild ride—from the heyday of TV and Super Bowl ads to today’s digital, social, and B2B influencer era. We get into why story and strategy still matter most, how to keep work from being boring (aka irresponsible), and what brands can learn from stand-up comedy, collaboration, and staying curious.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Strategy is story. Without a narrative spine, channels fragment and teams spin; with it, creative, media, and product march in the same direction.
From ads...
2025-10-2141 minOnAgency113 Exploring the Intersection of Digital Innovation: Scott Bernstein & DC of TribalVisionIn this episode of OnAgency, Patrick and Craig sit down with Damien Cabral (DC), Co-Founder and President of TribalVision, and Scott Bernstein, VP of Production—and former WWE executive! From Texas and Massachusetts football talk to navigating the evolution of digital marketing, the team dives into how TribalVision transformed from a fractional CMO shop to a specialized agency operating at scale.
They talk building resilient teams, navigating a post-COVID agency landscape, integrating AI into processes, and the real traits leaders should hire for today—spoiler: it’s not about knowing every acronym, but having that curiosity and fire i...
2025-04-2342 minOnAgency112 Carrie Corbin on Employer Branding, EVP, and Recruitment TrendsIn this episode, we sit down with Carrie Corbin, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Hope Leigh Marketing. Carrie shares her journey from her extensive experience in employer branding roles at major companies like AT&T, Samsung, and Dell, to founding her own agency. We discuss the nuances of recruitment marketing versus traditional marketing, the importance of storytelling in job postings, and the challenges of blending employer branding efforts with technology. Carrie also touches on the significance of diversity and inclusion in her work and her company's unique global approach. Tune in to gain insights on effective employer branding strategies...
2025-04-0832 minOnAgency111 The Truth Is Out There… and So Are Great Agencies: A CMO's Insight to Finding and Working with the Right Agency Partners with Julia FitzgeraldIn this episode of OnAgency, hosts Patrick and Craig sit down with Julia Fitzgerald—longtime CMO and the force behind the Mid-Size Agency Matchup. Julia brings a powerhouse résumé with leadership roles at Build-A-Bear, Sylvan Learning, Thermos, and more, and she's here to shed light on a big gap in the marketing world: how mid-size brands find right-fit agency partners—and why that search often comes up short.
Together, we dive into:
Why Julia created Mid-Size Agency Matchup (hint: it started with a rant).
What CMOs really look for in agency relationships.
...
2025-04-0143 minOnAgency110 The PR Evolution and Tech Innovation with Jeanne AchilleMindfulness, Dog Tackling, and the Evolution of HR Tech PR with Jeanne Achille
In this engaging episode, Patrick and Craig navigate through a lively discussion, starting with a humorous encounter involving a blurry video feed and a mischievous dog. The conversation then deepens as they welcome their guest, Jeanne Achille, the accomplished CEO of The Devon Group. Jeanne shares insights into her career, starting her PR agency during a time when female entrepreneurship in tech was rare, and evolving through various technological advances. The discussion touches on the importance of mindfulness, the advent of AI in the...
2025-03-2541 minOnAgency109 Crafting Strong Client Connections: Insights from Corinne GudevichIn this episode, we sit down with Corinne Gudevich, Managing Director of Brand Experience at Ruder Finn. With an illustrious career that includes 17 years at Ketchum, Corinne shares her experiences from beginning at a boutique agency to evolving through major industry shifts. Learn about her journey at Sears during tumultuous times, her approach to bridging corporate and brand communications, and her current venture of building a new practice at Ruder Finn. Corinne also discusses team dynamics in post-pandemic work environments, emphasizing empathy, curiosity, and the importance of making one's presence known. Get insights into her client services philosophy and...
2025-03-1835 minOnAgency108 Behind the Scenes at Greentarget: John and Aaron’s Entrepreneurial JourneyIn this episode, we sit down with John Corey, President and Founding Partner of Greentarget, and Aaron Schoenherr, Founding Partner at GreenTarget. Over 20 years, this Chicago-based public relations agency has evolved from its humble beginnings, funded by friends and family, into a consultative powerhouse that serves some of the world's largest firms. They share their entrepreneurial journey, the value of earned media, and how their research capabilities have transformed to keep up with industry changes.
What You'll Learn:
The origin story of GreenTarget and its evolution over two decades.
The importance of 'earned media' and research-based tho...
2025-03-1147 minOnAgency107 The Human Side of Employer Branding: Lessons from Susan LamottIn this episode, Patrick and Craig delve into the intricacies of employer branding and the future of AI in talent acquisition with Susan Lamott, founder of Exaqueo. Susan shares her journey from corporate to consultancy, the evolution of recruitment marketing, and the vital role of human relationships in employment. She offers insights into strategic branding, leveraging data, and the responsibilities of agencies in the AI-driven landscape of HR. This enlightening conversation sheds light on how companies can sustainably attract and retain talent in a rapidly changing world.
00:00 The Haircut Dilemma
03:17 Introducing Susan Lamott
06:10...
2025-03-0435 minOnAgency106 From a Beer Pong Anthem to an Award-Winning Agency: The Creative Journey of Bandolier MediaIn this episode, we chat with Daniel Stone, Founder and Co-Owner of Bandolier Media & Roasty Buds, and Louis Montemayor, Co-founder and Creative Director of Bandolier Media. They share their journey of creating their own social media agency, Bandolier Media, renowned for creative campaigns for big names like TikTok, Facebook, and Walmart. They dive into the backstory of their agency, their unique creative processes, the challenges they've faced, and the importance of community in business. Additionally, they discuss their innovative venture into the world of coffee with Roasty Buds, a premium spicy coffee brand. Tune in to learn about their...
2025-02-2532 minOnAgency105 From Startup to Scale-Up: Scott Emalfarb of Fresh Content Society on Content Strategy and Agency GrowthIn this episode, Patrick and Craig sit down with Scott Emalfarb, Founder and CEO of Fresh Content Society, to explore the dynamic world of social media management and content creation. Scott shares his journey from Edelman Public Relations to establishing Fresh Content Society, emphasizing the importance of staying current and authentic in social media strategies. He discusses innovative campaigns like Nutter Butter's 'brain rot' approach on TikTok, the evolution of his team, and the critical role of utilization rate in scaling an agency. Scott also highlights the significance of building genuine communities over chasing virality, offering insights into how...
2025-02-1830 minOnAgency104 Marketing Innovations and Personal Milestones: The Patrick and Craig EpisodeIn this candid and insightful episode, Craig Fisher and Patrick Rooney interview each other, diving deep into their professional backgrounds and current ventures. They discuss their opinions on marketing buzzwords, the impact of AI, and their varied career paths in politics, talent acquisition, marketing, and technology. They also delve into their search habits and the tools they use, offering practical tips for research and productivity. The conversation highlights their expertise in community building, advocacy, and navigating a dynamic career landscape. Tune in to hear about their unique journeys and learn valuable takeaways for personal and professional growth.
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2025-02-1123 minOnAgency103 Aligning Sales, Marketing, and CX: Gayle Novak’s Brand-Driven ApproachIn this episode, special guest, Gayle Novak, Chief Brand Strategist and Founding partner of BrandAction Agency, shares insights on balancing brand and demand strategies to shorten sales cycles. Gayle highlights the importance of authentic client relationships and addresses the challenges of a remote workforce. The episode also touches on sports fandom and industry dynamics.
Get in touch with Gayle at Gayle.Novak@BrandActionAgency.com or visit BrandActionAgency.com to learn more.
For additional content follow OnAgency on Social: @OnAgencyPodcast
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This episode is brought to you by...
2025-02-0437 minOnAgency102 The Changing Landscape of Advertising with Dave KisselIn this episode, we delve deep with Dave Kissel, Global Business Lead at DDB. Dave shares his extensive experience and insight into the world of advertising, detailing his journey from handling the McDonald's global advertising account to his current role with DDB. He discusses the enduring power of brands, the importance of creativity in marketing, the evolving role of AI in advertising, and the value of cultivating talent. Dave also provides his perspective on the rise of influencer marketing and the challenges and opportunities it presents. With his thoughtful analysis and industry knowledge, this conversation offers a comprehensive look...
2025-01-2842 min
OnAgency101 Bold Marketing Strategies: Past, Present, and Future with Bob FinlaysonIn this episode, Patrick and Craig sit down with Bob Finlayson, Co-Founder of Bold Marketing and Communications, and delve into the intricacies of running a successful marketing agency.
Bob shares his journey from working at top agencies in Silicon Valley to founding Bold. We discuss the evolution of marketing tools and channels, the impact of AI on marketing, and the importance of understanding the customer journey. Bob also offers valuable advice for those looking to start their own agencies, stressing the significance of experience, networking, and adaptability.
You'll gain insights into the changing landscape of ma...
2025-01-1835 min
OnAgencyOnAgency PodcastJadie, the producer of the On Agency podcast, introduces the show where co-hosts Patrick Rooney and Craig Fisher interview senior leaders, CEOs, and founders of marketing agencies. Each episode delves into the guests' unique journeys, challenges, and lessons. The podcast is available on all major platforms, offering bold ideas, inspiring stories, and insights into the future of marketing.
2025-01-1700 min