DJ to CEO: How to Build a Creative Powerhouse with Jamie Kritharas

In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean sits down with Jamie Kritharas, Founder of Defiant Digital, to discuss how he transformed his career from international DJ to leading one of Australia’s top digital agencies.

Jamie shares his journey of building Defiant Digital from scratch, helping over 300 businesses generate hundreds of millions in revenue by combining creativity with performance marketing.

Troy and Jamie explore the challenges and triumphs of scaling a remote team of 30 A-players, the importance of aligning creative with ad performance, and how Jamie built a business that thrives without him.

Jamie reveals the mindset shifts and practical strategies that helped him step out of day-to-day client work, create a thriving team culture, and protect his agency by firing toxic clients.

The conversation also dives into Defiant Digital’s client acquisition strategies, the tools they use to maintain team cohesion in a remote environment, and Jamie’s approach to fostering a team-first culture.

Jamie’s candid insights and actionable advice are a must-listen for anyone looking to scale their agency sustainably while maintaining creative excellence.

Whether you’re an agency owner looking to step out of the weeds or an entrepreneur ready to build a business that runs without you, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration.

Handy Links:

Defiant Digital

Paid Discovery

WIX

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