Creative Agency Account Manager Podcast

Welcome to episode 137. If you’ve ever wondered when’s the right time to introduce an account manager role into your agency - or how that change might impact the way you serve clients - this episode is for you.I’m joined by Cameron Magee, founder of event production agency avad3, trusted by clients such as Walmart and the White House.He shares with me:Why he waited until 30+ employees to hire a dedicated account managerWhat changed when Cameron stepped back from day-to-day client contactThe growing pains of introducing account management into a production-led cultureAdvice Cameron would give to other agency owners ready to make the leapWe also touch on where the live event industry is going - and why hybrid events might start to feel a bit more like first-class travel experiences.If you'd like to connect with Cameron, you’ll find him most active on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/c-magee  or go to the avad3 website: http://avad3.com/If you want regular tips and updates about how AI is impacting the agency account management role then head over to my website and sign up for my newsletter. That’s where I share tools, training and guest insights to help you strengthen and expand your client relationships. https://www.accountmanagementskills.com

Welcome to episode 136. We’re talking about a topic that’s becoming a real game-changer for creative agencies - the power of personal branding and employee-generated content.If you're an account manager, this one's especially for you. Clients are increasingly choosing to work with people, not just businesses. So the way you show up online can directly impact trust, relationships and even new business opportunities.I chat to Claudia Cardinali, the Strategy Director for Personal Branding Agency, Great Influence where she works closely with CEOs & founders and senior leadership teams on their public image. Claudia has worked to build the personal brands of Political Party Leaders, Sunday Times bestselling authors, Premier League football players, Journalists & Unicorn Entrepreneurs. She was awarded a LinkedIn Top Voice last year, has gained an audience of over 65k followers and has built her career by sharing her thoughts on the platform, particularly around 'Becoming A Manager' and 'Employee Generated Content'. In this conversation, we covered:How employee visibility strengthens client relationships and eases handoversWhy personal branding isn’t just for foundersPractical tips for sharing content online, even if you’re not sure where to startHow agencies can create a culture that encourages their teams to show upAnd how AI can help make the whole process quicker and easierIf you're looking to build your presence online and become an even greater asset to your clients and your agency, you’ll get so much value from this.Claudia’s message is clear - personal branding builds trust, strengthens client relationships, and helps you stand out as a true advocate for your agency.https://greatinfluence.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccardinali9/And if you want to sharpen your client development skills even further, check out my Account Kickstarter programme - a self-paced, eight-session online course designed to help you grow and retain your agency accounts with confidence.Plus, we’ve just added a brand-new bonus:AI for Account Managers - packed with practical tools to help you save time, personalise client communications and uncover new growth opportunities.All available now inside your Account Kickstarter dashboard. https://www.accountmanagementskills.com/account-kickstarter

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.

In this engaging discussion, Kevin Gibbons, the founding director of Re:signal, shares insights on how AI is revolutionizing SEO practices. He highlights the necessity for agencies to adapt strategies amidst the rapidly changing landscape and explains the balance between AI and human expertise. Kevin also touches on the importance of understanding user behavior, the role of account managers in navigating AI complexities, and the proactive measures agencies must take for long-term client success. Tune in for practical tips and a forward-thinking perspective!

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.