Al Scornaienchi is the President and CEO of Agency59, an independent advertising agency based in Toronto specializing in creative solutions for its clients. Under his leadership, Agency59 has maintained its relevance and competitiveness against larger multinational firms, serving prominent clients like Mercedes-Benz and Labatt. Al began his career at J. Walter Thompson, famously working on the Pepsi account during its Michael Jackson era, and he later helped establish the Vancouver office of Chiat/Day. In his tenure at Agency 59, Al has focused on fostering a strong company culture and planning for succession, ensuring the agency remains innovative and adaptable in a rapidly changing industry.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to run a successful advertising agency in a world dominated by large corporations with deep pockets? What makes a mid-sized independent agency nimble enough to stand out amidst industry titans? How does such a company adapt to the rapid changes and trends within the advertising world?

Al Scornaienchi is a seasoned professional who has witnessed the evolution of advertising from the age of Pepsi campaigns through digital transformation. He explains how his agency has navigated the competitive landscape of the advertising world, embracing change by integrating technology, digital marketing, and a forward-thinking approach to creative direction and succession planning. By sticking to what Agency59 does best and cultivating a culture of flexibility and open communication, the agency retains talent and keeps clients satisfied.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Al Scornaienchi, President and CEO of Agency59, about thriving as an independent agency in a competitive market. Al discusses how Agency59 thrives amid advertising giants, the evolution of its services, how saying “no” to some projects can safeguard relationships, and tips for productivity, recruitment, and retaining top talent.