Agency

Marissa Kos is a futurist and opinion leader in the AI space, and the founder of MxM, an AI-powered marketing and business development platform. She helps business owners and brands optimise marketing, sales, operations and culture through tailored automation systems designed for scalable success. In this episode of The Agency Podcast, Marissa shares insights on the future of AI in business, the myths that hold companies back, and why integrating AI now is critical for building resilient, future-ready organisations.Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj Level up your agency with Wix Studio today: https://www.wix.com/studio(00:00) Introduction(07:42) Entering the AI Space(14:18) The Future of AI in Business(21:03) Debunking AI Myths(28:47) AI and Company Culture(36:19) Building Scalable Systems with AI(43:52) The Power of Personalisation(51:05) Overcoming Challenges in Adoption(58:44) AI as a Growth Multiplier(01:05:16) The Human Side of AI(01:12:38) The Future of Work and AI(01:25:03) Final Reflections on AI’s Potential

Jason Georgatos is the President of Partners for Growth, a global investment firm providing tailored debt financing to high-growth companies. With over 20 years of experience in scaling businesses across the US, Australia, Asia, and Europe, Jason has become a trusted partner to ambitious founders navigating expansion. In todays conversation, he explores the nuances of growth financing, the psychology of entrepreneurs, and the evolving landscape of alternative capital, offering practical advice on building resilient businesses and sustainable partnerships.Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj Level up your agency with Wix Studio today: https://www.wix.com/studio(00:00) Introduction (06:58) Early Career and Path to Finance (12:43) The Role of Partners for Growth (20:31) Lessons from Working with Founders (28:10) Alternative Financing vs Venture Capital (35:37) Building Trust with Entrepreneurs (42:21) Growth Capital in Different Markets (50:16) Common Mistakes Founders Make (57:39) The Future of Growth Financing (01:04:20) Evaluating Risk and Reward (01:12:12) Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs (01:18:30) Closing Reflections

Poppy Reid, Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer of Curious Media, is a trailblazing journalist behind major Australian entertainment publications. She shares insights on the evolution of music journalism from print to digital and discusses the importance of adaptability in a changing media landscape. Poppy also addresses the role of authenticity in storytelling, the challenges of reviving legacy brands, and the quest for diversity in the industry. With anecdotes about her journey, she emphasizes the significance of emotional connections in today's music industry.

Sophia Athas is the founder and creative director of Hatrik House, the design studio behind some of Australia’s most distinctive brand identities. She is also the co-founder of ButterBoy, a cult cookie brand known for its bold and retro branding, sell-out drops, and devoted community. We explore the psychology of brand building, the tension between scaling and authenticity, and how Sophia protects creative energy while staying rooted in community.Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj Level up your agency with Wix Studio today: https://www.wix.com/studio(00:00) Introduction(06:13) Finding Her Creative Calling(11:32) The Launch of Butterboy(22:29) Growing a Cult Following(30:41) Crafting Cultural Relevance(38:58) Balancing Two Businesses(45:12) Protecting the Creative Process(52:07) When to Scale and When to Stop(01:00:34) Building with Integrity(01:08:40) Industry Lies and Lessons(01:15:39) A New Vision for Creativity(01:22:08) Advice for Emerging Creatives

Chad Cohen, Founder of Fortem Media and Unofficial Run Club, is a storyteller and marathon runner who shares insights on authentic branding. He emphasizes the importance of genuine storytelling in building community and engagement. The discussion covers the fear of failure, the need for vulnerability, and turning insights into action. Chad also explores how to differentiate in a noisy market and the evolving dynamics of connection across generations, highlighting the transformative power of authenticity in forging deeper relationships.

Gus Balbontin is an international keynote speaker, former Executive Director of Lonely Planet, and an insightful advisor to high-growth startups, joins us to share his extensive experience in guiding organizations through periods of significant change and fostering innovation.This episode explores critical strategies for navigating evolving market landscapes, embracing discomfort, the importance of adopting new technologies, and the leadership principles essential for cultivating an adaptable and forward-thinking business culture.Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj Level up your agency with Wix Studio today: https://www.wix.com/studio(00:00) Introduction Gus Balbontin on Change and Innovation(07:07) Innovation as Problem Solving(14:14) Listening First Testing Fast(21:21) The Value of Time and Curiosity(28:28) Judgment Creativity and Risk(35:35) Why Leaders Resist Change(42:42) The Power of Novelty in Business(49:49) Escaping Business as Usual(56:56) Innovation vs ROI(01:04:03) Balancing Structure and Creativity(01:11:10) Learning From Failure Fast(01:18:17) Lonely Planet Faces Irrelevance and Legacy Momentum

Richmond Dinh, the creator of the 'Tiny Challenges' method and founder of a multi-seven-figure coaching business, shares insights from helping over 1200 coaches build high-performing ventures. Richmond shares the landscape of sales, the enduring value of human connection and experience in an increasingly automated world. Expect to learn the crucial role of storytelling in communication and influence, the importance of niche down, and the psychological impact of various personal pitfalls on entrepreneurial success.

Marty Hungerford, Chief Innovation Officer and founding partner at BRX, discusses the impact of AI on creativity and the agency model. He emphasizes the importance of taste and human instinct alongside technological tools in creative processes. The conversation dives into how AI is reshaping industries like advertising and filmmaking, enhancing storytelling while raising ethical concerns. Hungerford also highlights the inevitability of AI for creatives and the potential for new job creation, pushing for adaptation and innovation in an evolving landscape.

David Parsons is an award-winning expert in customer loyalty and the CEO of Ellipsis, a consultancy helping global brands like Audi, eBay, Visa, and Australia’s major banks drive growth through customer science. In this episode of The Agency Podcast, David breaks down the difference between emotional and behavioural loyalty, reveals why most brands misread what their customers really want, and shares how loyalty programs are evolving into powerful front-line brand strategies. A must-listen for anyone building customer relationships that last.Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj Level up your agency with Wix Studio today: https://www.wix.com/studio(00:00) Introduction(08:23) Engaging Creatively with Influencers(13:05) The Importance of Authenticity in Content(24:29) The Evolution of Influencer Trends(31:04) Addressing Challenges(39:00) Building Influencer Networks(44:19) The Transition to Product-Based Ventures(50:41) Effective Branding(53:26) Honesty and Transparency(01:01:37) Navigating AI's Role(01:08:06) The Emerging Role of Creativity(01:12:43) Future Trends in Influencer Marketing

Bonnie Gillies is a seasoned beauty professional with over two decades of experience spanning fashion, film, and digital media. As the founder of the award-winning brand Basic By B, she’s built a loyal following by bridging the gap between expert knowledge and accessible beauty. In this episode, Bonnie reflects on the evolution of the industry, the rise of conscious consumerism, and the nuanced balance between education and influence. A thoughtful conversation on brand building, authenticity, and what it means to lead with substance in a saturated space.Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj Level up your agency with Wix Studio today: https://www.wix.com/studio(00:00) Introduction(08:14) Engaging Creatively with Influencers(13:51) The Importance of Authenticity in Content(24:06) The Evolution of Influencer Trends(30:15) Addressing Challenges(36:32) Building Influencer Networks(43:20) The Transition to Product-Based Ventures(48:14) Effective Branding(53:45) Honesty and Transparency(01:01:01) Navigating AI's Role(01:08:11) The Emerging Role of Creativity(01:12:49) Future Trends in Influencer Marketing