ShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & Platforms The Uncertain Future of the Agency Holdco Model with Mark Heap
Jul 13, 2025
55:58
Has agency consolidation begun to backfire? The media agency is undergoing a massive transformation as holding companies consolidate their operations & rebrand around unified entities. What does this seismic shift mean for the future of the industry? Will the industry's current path lead to better outcomes or just more cost-cutting? Is this the independent agency's big moment?
Joining us is Mark Heap, Founder of Mark Heap Consulting. Mark advises businesses on growth strategy, organization transformation & leadership development. He's the former CEO of Mindshare in EMEA and Mediacom in APAC. He spent 10 years in China from 2003 to 2013 serving roles at PHD and Mindshare.
1. What's driving all the consolidation, and where will it lead?
2. Are the agencies losing client leaders, or should it be up to the local office?
3. Does this all have to do with AI implementation?
4. Has all this consolidation resulted in the loss of critical thinking and discourse?
5. Does this open the field up to independent agencies to shine?
6. Who is doing it right? Is there a good model?
7. Are we moving to a world where everything is small, nimble, and independent?
8. How do you reflect on your China experience? Has it helped you throughout your career?
About Mark Heap Consulting: https://www.markheapconsulting.com/
Mark Heap on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markheap/
For everything ShanghaiZhan: http://zhanstation.com/
Bryce on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brycewhitwam/
Ali on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alikazmi/
Joining us is Mark Heap, Founder of Mark Heap Consulting. Mark advises businesses on growth strategy, organization transformation & leadership development. He's the former CEO of Mindshare in EMEA and Mediacom in APAC. He spent 10 years in China from 2003 to 2013 serving roles at PHD and Mindshare.
1. What's driving all the consolidation, and where will it lead?
2. Are the agencies losing client leaders, or should it be up to the local office?
3. Does this all have to do with AI implementation?
4. Has all this consolidation resulted in the loss of critical thinking and discourse?
5. Does this open the field up to independent agencies to shine?
6. Who is doing it right? Is there a good model?
7. Are we moving to a world where everything is small, nimble, and independent?
8. How do you reflect on your China experience? Has it helped you throughout your career?
About Mark Heap Consulting: https://www.markheapconsulting.com/
Mark Heap on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markheap/
For everything ShanghaiZhan: http://zhanstation.com/
Bryce on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brycewhitwam/
Ali on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alikazmi/