Agency Business #35: Why Mid-Size Agencies Have an Edge, With Kat Ott of Havas Chicago
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Aug 25, 2025 Kat Ott, President of Havas Chicago and former professional ballerina, shares her unique journey into advertising. She discusses how mid-size agencies like hers can adapt swiftly in a competitive market. Kat dives into the process of winning major pitches and the importance of strong agency-client relationships. The conversation touches on the evolving role of marketers, the integration of media and creative strategies, and the impact of AI in the industry. Her insights reveal how agility and collaboration revolutionize agency operations.
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From Ballerina To Modern Marketer
- Kat Ott stumbled into marketing after a career in dance, transitioning from executive assistant to CMO to agency leader.
- Her consumer-obsessed, hybrid background in digital and comms shaped her approach to modern marketing.
Creative Should Drive Media
- Kat Ott calls herself a modern marketer who unites creative, media, and strategy into one team.
- She insists creative must inform media placement, not be handed off after the buy.
Midsize Agencies Move Like Speedboats
- Midsize agencies move like speedboats: fewer layers, faster decisions, quicker pivots.
- Kat contrasts this with large holding companies that act like cruise ships needing many steering wheels.