Future Fuzz - The Digital Marketing Podcast Ep. 91 - The Future of Independent Agencies - Stephen Knight - Pimento
Summary
Stephen Knight, founder of Pimento, exposes the flaws in traditional agency models and explains why independent agencies are thriving. He breaks down the shift away from big agency networks, the rise of in-housing, and how the “Hollywood model” of assembling top talent is reshaping marketing. Expect bold insights on the future of agencies, client relationships, and why adaptability is key to survival.
Guest Bio
Stephen Knight Founder CEO of Pimento - the UK’s leading independent marketing agency & consultancy network, Chairman of utc.travel, Joint Founder of Now Next Why, Entrepreneur, NED, Trustee and Consultant. A former Advertising Executive, Brand & Marketing Director and CMO with 35 years sales and marketing experience. Stephen has held a variety of positions at major international agencies including Dorland, Lowe Howard-Spink and WCRS. Five years with the Walt Disney Company as Senior Vice-President of Marketing and Brand Management for Europe, Middle East and Africa. In 2003, he joined Creata, a global promotions agency, as their European MD where amongst other things he oversaw the McDonalds, Ferrari and Kellogg’s accounts.
Having worked successfully above and below the line, client and agency side, he felt it was time to do his own thing and founded Pimento in 2005. From 2013-2016 Stephen extended his role at Pimento with interim contracts at SSE as Head of Brand, Marketing and CMO. Stephen is married with three children, and in addition to his responsibilities at Pimento he is a NED of Ebico, a not-for-profit energy company and a trustee of their charity, Chairman of UTC.travel the UK’s first subscription travel brand, Chairman of Now Next Why a Growth advisory and M&A consultancy for agencies.
Pimento, is an innovative full-service marketing agency. Established in 2005, Pimento stands out by connecting over 175 independent agencies and consultants to offer a comprehensive range of marketing services. Their tailored approach pulls from a network of more than 6,000 marketing experts, enabling them to craft bespoke teams designed to meet the unique needs of each client. From global brands to start-ups, Pimento’s flexible model drives business growth and redefines the traditional marketing structure. www.pimento.co.uk
Now Next Why is a growth advisory and M&A consultancy for agencies https://nownextwhy.co.uk
UTC Travel, the UK’s first members-only travel club, accessible at www.utc.travel. UTC Travel offers exclusive access to travel at trade prices for a modest monthly or annual subscription, appealing to forward-thinking businesses that want to provide their teams with travel perks. This unique benefit can help employees save thousands on personal travel—for just the cost of a coffee each month.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Stephen Knight and Pimento
02:20 The Agency Model Is Broken: Here’s Why
04:45 The Rise of Independent Agencies and Why It Matters
07:00 Inside Pimento: A New Way to Build Marketing Teams
09:30 The In-Housing Trend: What Clients Get Wrong
11:45 How the “Hollywood Model” Is Changing Marketing
14:15 Why Client-Agency Relationships Are Falling Apart
16:30 The Death of Agency Mystique: What Happened?
18:55 The Future of Marketing Agencies: Survive or Die
21:15 Who Thrives in Pimento’s Network and Why
23:00 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Pimento