Agency Alchemy

As agency networks rethink how—and where—they operate, the traditional “London-first” model is starting to show its cracks.

On this episode of Agency Alchemy, Pete Coates, Managing Director of Omnicom Media Newcastle, breaks down what it really takes to build a modern agency footprint from the ground up—and why regional expansion today isn’t about geography, it’s about access: to talent, to clients, and ...

In this episode of Agency Alchemy, we sit down with Justin Barnes, Executive Creative Director at VERSUS, to explore the fast-evolving intersection of brand storytelling and entertainment. From major collaborations with global players like Volkswagen and The Walt Disney Company to large-scale experiential and mixed-media campaigns, VERSUS is operating at the forefront of a new creative paradigm.

At the center of that shift is a con...

What if the most powerful marketing isn’t an ad at all—but the experience itself? On this episode, Josh Lane (COO) and Matt Ferebee (CCO) of FerebeeLane unpack how they’ve built their agency by flipping the traditional model on its head. Instead of starting with campaigns, they start with narrative—embedding brand thinking into everything from architecture and service training to textiles and guest interactions.

The result? A holis...

What does it take to build a nationally competitive agency from Portland, Maine — and keep it independent for 33 years?

On this episode of Agency Alchemy, Leeann Leahy, CEO of VIA, joins us to talk about ambition, employee ownership, AI as a “silent engine,” and why independence isn’t just a structure — it’s a strategic advantage.

Leeann shares how she stepped into the CEO role during a mom...

Private equity has reshaped agency land—but the story is more nuanced than headlines about roll-ups and margin pressure.

On this episode of Agency Alchemy, Scott Shamberg, CEO + President of Mile Marker, joins us to unpack what private equity actually gets right about the agency business—and where it sometimes misses the mark. Drawing on his experience inside holding companies and now leading a PE-backed...

What actually defines great creative — and why has so much modern advertising lost its way?

In this episode of Agency Alchemy, we sit down with Ellis Verdi, co-founder of DeVito/Verdi, to unpack nearly 40 years of independent agency leadership, creative conviction, and cultural impact.

Ellis argues that while platforms, formats, and technologies continue to evolve, the core DNA of great ...

In this episode of Agency Alchemy, we speak with Sam Piliero, founder of The Moonlighters, a fast-growing performance marketing agency built for the $1–$10M e-commerce brand. From scaling BarkBox through an IPO to launching his own agency, Sam shares how he’s rewriting the rules of media buying—eschewing bloated teams, cutting wasted ad spend, and proving that founder-led content can outpace traditional agency marketi...

On this episode of Agency Alchemy, we sit down with Adam Biddle, CEO of GH05T, to explore how a career that started in music marketing—working with legends like Black Sabbath—evolved into leading one of the most forward-thinking social-first agencies in the corporate space. Adam shares how GH05T helps highly regulated industries like finance and insurance embrace creativity within strict boundaries, why honesty is the...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Harriet Knight and Hannah Penn, co-Managing Directors of award-winning independent agency Pablo. Together, they unpack what it truly means to lead with humility, structure an agency for speed and soul, and why sharing a leadership role has been their secret weapon.

From creative duos to dual timelines, retail roots to pro bono triumphs, they reveal how Pablo’s flat hierarchy, performan...

In this episode, we sit down with James Trowman, Partner and General Manager at The Frameworks, a specialist B2B marketing agency recently crowned with six Telly Awards and proud new status as an employee-owned business. James shares how imagination and creativity drive real business transformation—from branding and content strategy to AI-powered tools. He explores the four pillars of imaginative organizations, how B2B marketers ca...

This episode of Agency Alchemy features a wide-ranging and eye-opening conversation with Paul Woolmington, CEO of Canvas Worldwide. As the agency celebrates its 10th anniversary, Woolmington dives deep into the evolving media landscape where sports, culture, and technology collide. From the global growth of women’s sports to the streaming revolution reshaping fan access, Woolmington shares insights on how sport has become the new r...

The rise of AI is reshaping the creative industry—so where does that leave agencies, content creators, and marketers? In this episode of Agency Alchemy, Fergus Dyer-Smith, CEO of Wooshii, dives into the evolving role of AI in creative workflows, the future of video content, and how agencies can stay ahead in an increasingly automated world. We explore the impact of AI agents, the surprising evolution of short-form and vertical vide...

In this episode of Agency Alchemy, we sit down with Richard Robinson, Executive Director of Ingenuity+, to unpack the evolving landscape of brand-agency relationships. With UK marketing budgets surpassing £40 billion and digital ad spend hitting new highs, agencies and brands must be “Pitch Perfect” to stay ahead. Richard shares insights on why 2025 will be a transformative year for agencies, the growing workload for marketing dire...

In this debut episode of Agency Alchemy, Chris Pearce, Managing Director at Green Park, takes us on a journey through his dynamic career in advertising, from jumping ship from banking to leading global agencies. He shares insights on balancing creativity and data, navigating different ownership structures, and fostering a culture of optimism in agencies. Plus, we dive into the evolving role of AI in content creation, leadership str...