Creative Agency Account Manager Podcast

Welcome to episode 135. There’s a quiet shift happening in the agency world - and today’s episode gets right into it.More and more agencies are choosing to stay lean, move faster, and build businesses that are not just profitable - but more human. And that shift is changing everything, from how we use AI, to how we lead, to what it means to be an account manager.Carl Smith leads The Bureau, a community that connects and supports agency leaders. A former theater major, he ran his agency nGen Works for 12 years, experimenting with unconventional management. After attending a Bureau event in 2012, he saw the power of community and took over in 2016. Now, Carl helps leaders navigate the challenges of running an agency, ensuring no one feels alone. Through Slack, events, and collaborative programs, The Bureau fosters real connections and growth. When he’s not building community, he’s running, recording, or speaking about leading humans.In this episode, Carl shares with me:- Why staying small is becoming a competitive advantage- How agency leaders are managing burnout, uncertainty and shifting business models- How AI is accelerating workflow and value-based pricing- Why Gen Z is redefining what an agency is and why they’re not calling it an agency at all- And what the future of account management looks like in this changing landscapeIf you’re looking for community and connection in these changing times, do follow Carl Smith on LinkedIn and check out what the Bureau has to offer. Carl and the team are doing brilliant work to support agency leaders  who not only want to stay ahead of the changes but feel less alone at the same time.https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-w-smith/https://bureauofdigital.com/event/leadership-love-portland-oregonIf you’re leading client relationships and want to keep developing as the landscape shifts, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter at https://www.accountmanagementskills.comI share practical client management tips, AI tools for the account management role, news about upcoming podcast episodes and you’ll be the first to hear about trainings to help you stay confident as an account manager or agency leader.

Welcome to episode 134. I spoke to Kevin Gibbons, founding director of Re:signal, a specialist ecommerce SEO agency, driving organic search growth for clients including Under Armour, FatFace and ASICS. Kevin frequently writes/speaks within the search industry.Kevin covers:- how AI is shaking up SEO and what that means for agencies and their clients.- how AI is changing search and where it might go next.- the key conversations agencies should be having with clients right now.- how to think about visibility in AI search results and LLMs- how agencies can use AI to work more efficiently and lots, lots more. I took away so much from this discussion, particularly around how agencies should be preparing for the shift towards AI driven search. If you'd like to connect with Kevin, you can find him posting regularly on LinkedIn and I'd highly recommend you give him a follow.https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevingibbons/https://resignal.comIf you're looking for more tips, strategies, and practical guidance on how AI is influencing client relationship management, account development, and account growth, then make sure you sign up for my newsletter at https://www.accountmanagementskills.com. I share regular updates, insights from expert guests, and tips about account management, and also training opportunities to help you stay one step ahead. 

Welcome to episode 133. I'm chatting with Founder of G3NR8, Tom Head, about how AI is impacting business. G3NR8 is a consultancy for a new age, innovating business with AI. Tom has spent two decades in digital and built multiple 7 figure agencies. He’s worked with brands such as Red Bull Racing, JP Morgan, Tesco, and The Guardian and is now helping companies succeed with AI by providing training, consultancy, research, and building out the right AI strategy to keep them ahead of the competition. We talk about: ·         where we are in terms of AI’s evolution and advancement for both our clients and us as agencies. ·         why it's important to understand the client's needs and meet them where they are. ·         how AI is helping agencies quickly analyse data and uncover insights to help drive the creative output. ·         some best practices for agencies when using AI tools·         how clients are starting to question the origin of content and where it's being generated from, and questioning the value and the role of an agency.  You can follow Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-head-ai/And sign up for the G3NR8 newsletter here: https://www.g3nr8.com/newsletter

Janet Murray, a seasoned business strategist, copywriter, and founder of an education company, shares her insights on creative marketing strategies for agencies. She dives into 'campaignomics,' revealing how strategic planning can boost lead generation and sales. Janet discusses overcoming mental barriers in marketing outreach and the importance of nurturing client relationships. She highlights the value of impactful testimonials and audience-focused marketing efforts, all while advocating for engaging public speaking to maximize agency growth.

Welcome to episode 131. If you are a healthcare communications agency owner, or an account manager working in healthcare communications, and you're looking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of pharmaceutical marketing, then this episode is for you.I'm joined in the studio by Jonathan Gwillim and Kate Eversole from PharmaBrands. They are the organisers of the upcoming Age of AI Europe event, which, if you're listening or watching this at the beginning of 2025, is happening on March 4th in London.This is Europe's leading conference in GenAI in healthcare marketing and it features expert speakers from companies like Google, AstraZeneca, Novartis, ITV, Novo, Nordisk, Boehringer, Ingelheim and many more. In this episode, Jonathan and Kate share of insights about how healthcare agencies and their clients are using GenAI right now.They also share how creative directors feel about Gen AI's impact on the industry, and Kate also shares practical steps you can take as an account manager to confidently embrace AI in your role and some tips for having conversations with your clients.You can connect with Kate and Jonathan via LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateeversole/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jongwillim/There were several resources and links mentioned in our recording:The Age of AI event, March 4, London: https://www.pharmabrands.ca/age-of-ai-europePharmaBrands report on AI literacy: https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65b7dd23f5d4facb3c95fdf7/678e3106eb089ba6a175a282_AI%20Literacy%20Report_2025%20(3).pdfFree webinar on Gen AI 101 : https://www.pharmabrands.ca/webinarKlick and Guardrail reference: https://www.klick.com/news/ai-compliance-breakthrough-wins-klick-prize-results-signal-industry-trendsRecommended newsletter from Klick on all things health marketing: https://www.klick.com/klickwireSyneos Health reference: https://pmsociety.org.uk/results/pm-society-digital-awards-2024-results/pm-society-digital-awards-2024-digital-agency-of-the-year/& their trends report: https://www.syneoshealth.com/insights-hub/2025-health-trendsPfizer and Publicis reference: https://digiday.com/marketing/with-charlie-pfizer-is-building-a-new-generative-ai-platform-for-pharma-marketing/Sanofi reference: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexzhavoronkov/2023/06/21/sanofi-goes-all-in-on-ai/Novo Nordisk reference: https://www.novonordisk.com/content/dam/nncorp/global/en/investors/irmaterial/cmd/2024/P10-Data-Science-and-AI.pdfAI driven Video - Cires 21: https://www.cires21.com/Text to speech leader - Eleven labs: https://elevenlabs.io/Great content on marketing AI - Marketing AI institute: https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/Tool to reduce meetings - Loom: https://www.loom.com/

Welcome to episode 130. I’m joined by Leadership Coach and People & Culture Consultant, Theresa Carter.  Agencies are people businesses, so it's essential to the success of the agency to attract and recruit the right people with the right skills for the right roles. And this also means that, as the agency grows, the needs of the business change.  For example, you might start your agency with small national clients, and then as you expand, you might begin to serve multinational clients that are much bigger, that operate differently. You might need different team members with different skills and experience that suits the agency's evolving needs.  All of this starts with aligning your business goals with a solid people and culture plan.  In our chat, Theresa Carter shares:  ·         how to create your people and culture plan from your business goals·         what happens when some of your team members are in the wrong seats·         how to deal with that·         how to create some accountability for delivering your people and culture plan·         and lots more.   If you want some guidance to build a really strong and successful agency team that's totally aligned with your values, then please do get in touch with her via email: theresaaustincarter@gmail.com or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresaaustin/ And if you're responsible for the retention and growth of your existing client relationships at the agency, then you can go to my website, https://www.accountmanagementskills.com and sign up for my newsletter where I share agency account management tips, strategies, mini trainings, and also key points covered by my expert podcast guests. 

Welcome to episode 129. In this episode Jenny breaks down the three key areas to focus on if you want to maximise the growth of your existing client accounts in 2025:1. Finding COMMERCIAL CLARITYAgencies who predictably forecast revenue growth from existing accounts are clear where to focus their team's efforts and provide sufficient time and support for developing an account growth strategy. They have client development plans in place and work differently with 'growth' clients than ‘maintenance’ clients.2. Having CONSULTANCY CAPABILITYSpotting account growth opportunities and proactively developing ideas and solutions for them requires a consultative skillset and entrepreneurial mindset. Client-facing team members need to be able to have conversations about adding value and ask for testimonials and referrals comfortably.3.  Embedding CULTURAL CONTINUITYTo make account growth systematic and scalable it needs to be embedded as a defined repeatable process in the agency that’s followed by everyone. A process helps new joiners hit the ground running and ensures client-centric behaviours are ‘hard wired’ into the business.She shares soundbites from participants of her Account Accelerator programme who provide tips and examples of how they’ve implemented strategies in each of these areas.If you’re considering improving your client retention and growth skills, check out the training options on our website, https://www.accountmanagementskills.com and if you’d like to discuss your training needs with Jenny you can book a 20 minute call here: https://calendly.com/jennyplant/account-accelerator-discovery-callSign up to receive our regular newsletter where we share account management tips, and notify you of upcoming podcast guests and trainings.

Welcome to episode 128. This conversation is going to be particularly interesting for you if you’re keen to develop your leadership skills.It’s for you if you’re currently in charge of the agency and leading the whole team OR you’re leading an AM team within the agency - and you want to go from being a ‘good’ leader to being a ‘great’ leader.Founder of Navigate The Journey and author of ‘What If There’s More?: Finding Significance Beyond Success’, Traci Schubert Barrett shares actionable tips and advice on how to lead with purpose, navigate the complexities of scaling an agency, and foster authentic connections both with your team and your clients.Whether you’re an agency owner grappling with leadership challenges or an account manager aspiring to step into a leadership role, this chat is packed with wisdom and practical takeaways to help you grow.You can connect with and find out more about Traci Barrett here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracischubertbarrett/Book: https://a.co/d/184VveLWebsite: https://www.navigatethejourney.com https://www.tracischubertbarrett.comIf you’d like to stay updated with more tips and resources to enhance your account management skills, be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter at https://www.accountmanagementskills.comYou'll receive updates about new podcast episodes, expert guest announcements, and information about training courses designed for creative agency account managers at all levels.Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, leave us a review, and share this episode with a colleague who could benefit from these insights.

Welcome to episode 127. Thank you for listening in 2024. Looking back at this year, I’ve been reflecting on the superb guests I’ve had on the show. I thought I’d select a handful of soundbites from this year’s podcast episodes to share with you.This isn’t a comprehensive list - there have been so many standout moments - but these clips include tips, advice, or insights that stayed with me. I’ve shared 10 soundbites that I hope you find as useful or insightful as I did.Stick around until the end to hear a clip from one of the most popular episodes and one that I received the most positive feedback from listeners! You can also read more about each of these guests by visiting this episode's page on my website here: https://www.accountmanagementskills.com/top-10-tips-insights-from-the-podcast-in-2024-with-jenny-plantThese episodes are mentioned:1. Episode 125: Dan Pfister, "How to Win Back Clients for Exceptional ROI"2. Episode 120 & 121: Carey Evans & Simon Rhind-Tutt, “What Your Client Don’t Tell You”3. Episode 116: Jack Skeels, "Why Agencies Need to Rethink Project Management"4. Episode 117: Tim Williams, "Why Time-Based Pricing Doesn’t Work"5. Episode 114: Gareth Healey, "Stand Out or Die"6. Episode 115: Tim Riesterer, “Why selling to client and prospects is different"7. Episode 109: Michael Farmer, "Why the Agency Business Model Isn’t Working"8. Episode 91: Sharon Toerek, "How Agencies Are Navigating the Legalities of AI Use"9. Episode 111: Alison Coward, "How a Workshop Culture Builds High-Performing 10. Episode 105: Benjamin Dennehy & Marcus Cauchi, "How to Sell"If you’d like to be kept up to date with who is coming on the podcast, the topics we’re covering, receive tips about agency account management or to be notified about trainings I’m doing, you can sign up for my newsletter at my website: https://www.accountmanagementskills.com

Welcome to episode 126. In this episode, I chat to Brian Jacobs (Founder, BJ&A) and Crispin Reed (Founder, Skyscraper Consulting) about what’s wrong with the advertising industry.  And what specifically prompted the launch of their ‘Who Cares?’ initiative, aimed at tackling the pressing issues affecting the advertising industry today.We cover:·         what's actually wrong with the industry itself·         the need for greater creativity and transparency in advertising·         how Brian developed the ‘Who Cares?’ idea·         how a one-off event has turned into a well-supported movement·         how industry stakeholders can get involved to collaborate on initiatives I do hope you’ll listen to this important discussion and visit https://www.advertisingwhocares.org to find out more and get involved. If you’re an agency owner and would like to discuss account retention and growth training and coaching options – or would like to reserve a spot for the next Account Accelerator (January 2025) - you can schedule a no obligation call with me to discuss your needs, via my website: https://www.accountmanagementskills.com/account-accelerator