The agency experience, 20 years of highs, lows and lessons learned

f-word! Goes Fishing!

For the final instalment of series 1 of f!word – The Agency Experience, we go on location with two production heavyweights – Stu Brown (Head of Production) and Kevin Sparkes (Senior Technical Director), for an honest conversation, set against a slightly competitive fishing trip. From navigating talent and pitching pressures, to finding balance, managing burnout and sustaining a long-term career in production, Stu and Kevin share real-world lessons from their time in the industry, with a few curveballs (and fish) along the way.Insightful, reflective and refreshingly candid, this episode explores what a career in event production really involves.Tune in for the f!word – goes fishing! 🎣 Full episode links are in the bio and don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel. 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw] – Intro 00:19 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=19s] – The perfect start to the week 01:36 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=96s] – Switching off: fishing as a reset 02:25 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=145s] – Falling into production 05:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=300s] – Rising through the ranks 06:25 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=385s] – Opening doors into the industry 08:09 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=489s] – Work hard, play hard culture 09:56 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=596s] – Why full-time? Why fresh? 11:51 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=711s] – The reality of flexible working 14:23 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=863s] – What’s next for the industry? 1 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=993s]6:33 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=993s] – Fish On! 17:07 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=1027s] – Delivering events overseas 19:24 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=1164s] – Talking budget (the tricky bit) 21:12 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=1272s] – The art of a quality brief 23:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXxYaCelIw&t=1384s] – That’s all we’ve got time for! Fresh: https://freshwebsite.co.uk/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqblNZR3dvbThPNHdVaUxKUC14UU1JRHliSXdEZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuWk5KQnpvbFNyaTZTZHB3XzZQcGZPTUpzaE83NWx3X3d6ZEFhZV81WlRVN2VER1hNb1ROeWZMUkFDXzFjTWdSWHozYXFMSVZrVVRmNF9nb0hiM2daOF9tMUlzTktZdWdrZ1RhNEVWOGNYVjZhT2NFZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Ffreshwebsite.co.uk%2F&v=OkXxYaCelIw] LinkedIn:   / fresh-group   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVlBOG5DRkpJcXV0djBtN0hCZ09ZNXprMUhXUXxBQ3Jtc0trQk96NnlHY0ZQNHFZbk9lbXl2UF9EdWl2OWNJRDFwendWZzFIV25pT0ItRHltWVlwNGlQZVBGaVlmVjNBdnJYc3lqeE16TkZudnd3Q3Mxb1hXLTBBQXZlS3EtY0I0Sjl1QzhpUkFQVk8xeU9YZnh0QQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Ffresh-group%2F&v=OkXxYaCelIw] Instagram:   / lifeatfresh   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3paNUZIR1pMNHR5NS1ZdURzeGZCMm5uMkV4d3xBQ3Jtc0tteU9JVHJXYnl4dlNKb0ltdGRKa1VPM2tpZUhnYUFueXA2RGswdF9DcGg1b25NVVpqWU5PT3JmWFZHZ1dDR3ppakpLVm1PdDNyTjJ5N0RVRW1ORmF0OVB4TW81ZW5QMnNMOVloM3JwVlpzOFlESDl5TQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Flifeatfresh%2F&v=OkXxYaCelIw] Stu Brown:   / stuart-brown-67285225   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUFCRnREeTNGdzRLWUhtbDE5cVE3dFdWQ0dvUXxBQ3Jtc0trRWVDX0o0amVvcHV1ZkVyRkxPcC1HSlF2NmhqSllYeUNYY2FrWjJoSFF5TVFSQlRiTE1jMVgtY3pQOFFnZ1lIaHA0ZUFaVWN1WGtmNmluaVRzaVY3VFY5eDhHVG5MLWctd0JyWTRfNHNQTU5qaDVPOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fstuart-brown-67285225%2F&v=OkXxYaCelIw] Kevin Sparks:   / kevin-sparkes-079a0a2b3   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWg4QVFPRnZoNFRMV1VzVFVOeVAtaVk3Vno0Z3xBQ3Jtc0trZmdLekVFV00xbWoxdzNjSjk4bFZHQkdRVGJqS0FweVg2b3VZMGVSb2ZMdlptT0N3Tm5DZV9fU3I2bnFnd1YycHlfN2xxZlkxVFpsUkY0cmI1Y0RCSU9OWTMybTRJTkd2b3ZERVhhSDlUa2lVMzEybw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fkevin-sparkes-079a0a2b3%2F&v=OkXxYaCelIw]

Gen Z's take on the agency experience

What’s it really like starting out in agency life today? In this episode of f!word – The Agency Experience, Lily Rippon (Account Manager) hosts an honest and illuminating chat with Madison Radford (Assistant producer) and Anna Clarke (Senior Account Manager), as they share what it’s like navigating agency life in their twenties, including discussing what young people need from their employers to thrive. From steep learning curves transitioning from uni life to work life, to the pressure of proving yourself and the importance of finding your voice - this conversation explores the real experience of starting out in an agency career today. 00:00 Intro 00:32 Welcome to episode 5 00:59 How did agency life start for you? 03:12 What was your path from student life to work 05:04 What did you think it would be like vs. what is it actually like 07:12 The good, bad and ugly of working in an agency in your 20's 08:26 The importance of the work life balance 10:50 Recognising talent 12:13 Feeling confident to speak up! 12:57 Opportunities to develop and progress 14:35 What advice would you give to someone starting out 16:04 That's all we've got time for! Fresh: https://freshwebsite.co.uk/ [https://freshwebsite.co.uk/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-group/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-group/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeatfresh/ [https://www.instagram.com/lifeatfresh/] Lily Rippon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-rippon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-rippon/] Madison Radford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-radford-/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-radford-/] Anna Clarke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-clarke-910b2886/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-clarke-910b2886/]

Motherhood, Menstruation, Menopause & Mental Health!!!

In our latest episode of F!Word – The Agency Experience, host Suzy Woods is joined by Amelia Barratt-Moores and Laura Lee for an open, honest, and deeply personal conversation covering the the 4M's - Motherhood, Menstruation, Menopause & Mental Health, nothing is off limits. Tune is as our guests share their lived experiences, whilst shining a light on the moments that often go unspoken in agency life. 00:00 Intro 00:32 Welcome to Episode 3 01:08 Returning to work after babies 05:19 Our paths into parenthood 07:10 Managing mothers in the workplace 08:00 The juggle 10:16 The events industry is stressful! 11:02 fresh's support network 13:01 70% of fresh are female 14:06 Menopause in the workplace 20:55 That's all we've got time for! Fresh: https://freshwebsite.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-group/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeatfresh/ Laura Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurataylorevents/ Suzy Woods: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzy-woods-47417b25/ Amelia Barratt-Moores: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameliabarrattmoores/

Why Internal Culture Is the Hidden Power Behind Every Brand

Alastair McCall (Creative Director) Natasha Morris (Head of Comm) and David Roberts (Director - fresh Edinburgh) come together to explore the fascinating shift in internal culture reshaping external comms. As experts leading both sides of the conversation they dive into the brands getting it right, the consequences when you don't and finally how fresh are not just talking the talk, but walking the walk. Tune in for a candid, no-holds-barred take on why culture is the new comms strategy. 00:00 Intro 00:40 So what does internal culture have to do with external comms? 01:40 Get to know the guests 04:30 Getting internal messaging right 04:52 How can companies build a good internal culture 06:40 Bringing internal culture into external comms 08:10 What are the deliverables? 08:50 Brands we love! 11:15 Who's getting it right 12:34 The driving forces 14:40 The bad and the ugly - what is at stake? 16:45 Speaking to the people on the ground 17:40 We've been working on ourselves too 20:00 Bye for now Fresh: https://freshwebsite.co.uk/ [https://freshwebsite.co.uk/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-group/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-group/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeatfresh/ [https://www.instagram.com/lifeatfresh/] Alastair McCall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastair-mccall-a999ab133/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastair-mccall-a999ab133/] Natasha Morris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-morris-025708146/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-morris-025708146/] David Roberts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-roberts-30a07a18/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-roberts-30a07a18/]

The agency experience, 20 years of highs, lows and lessons learned

Join CEO Lee Harris and Group Account Directors Suzy Woods and Rachel Sugden as they dive deep into the realities of today’s business landscape. From the biggest challenges clients face to hot topics such as brand experience agency culture, sustainability, and the true value of pitching. 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbhZgbZQF0g&list=PLq499ZjOfFQCZ9D6CBGDZIr-qXim7Byed&index=1&t=0s] Intro 01:14 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbhZgbZQF0g&list=PLq499ZjOfFQCZ9D6CBGDZIr-qXim7Byed&index=1&t=74s] The 20 year milestone 03:43 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbhZgbZQF0g&list=PLq499ZjOfFQCZ9D6CBGDZIr-qXim7Byed&index=1&t=223s] The challenging moments 06:48 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbhZgbZQF0g&list=PLq499ZjOfFQCZ9D6CBGDZIr-qXim7Byed&index=1&t=408s] What's next for fresh? 12:03 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbhZgbZQF0g&list=PLq499ZjOfFQCZ9D6CBGDZIr-qXim7Byed&index=1&t=723s] Navigating the next 20 years 14:08 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbhZgbZQF0g&list=PLq499ZjOfFQCZ9D6CBGDZIr-qXim7Byed&index=1&t=848s] To pitch or not to pitch 18:48 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbhZgbZQF0g&list=PLq499ZjOfFQCZ9D6CBGDZIr-qXim7Byed&index=1&t=1128s] The ideal agency culture 22:19 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbhZgbZQF0g&list=PLq499ZjOfFQCZ9D6CBGDZIr-qXim7Byed&index=1&t=1339s] New and emerging talent 25:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbhZgbZQF0g&list=PLq499ZjOfFQCZ9D6CBGDZIr-qXim7Byed&index=1&t=1545s] Talent vs. culture 27:51 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbhZgbZQF0g&list=PLq499ZjOfFQCZ9D6CBGDZIr-qXim7Byed&index=1&t=1671s] The picture round - what would you tell your 20 year old self. 31:24 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbhZgbZQF0g&list=PLq499ZjOfFQCZ9D6CBGDZIr-qXim7Byed&index=1&t=1884s] Bye for now Fresh: https://freshwebsite.co.uk/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1RkbTk0cFdBdVkzQkUydzZ3UGQ3TzJkMWh4QXxBQ3Jtc0ttN1VWQ09KVzNFZ2xpWmtqZXZScnIzZ29jLVNKMi1NR1RmZzB1TV80WUhKZ0J2QVlLOWZKUGlPLTFZNHZJUW83VkRBTXQwbzlsX1ZmM05JVHVKT0FxNWJHdlJPa3ptVnVRdzhlMXBVN1lscHNSeGkwYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Ffreshwebsite.co.uk%2F&v=pbhZgbZQF0g] LinkedIn:   / fresh-group   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmhvd1locnRfWW9zVnMtdEN4N0J2Z1RRTWZmZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttTzN3R2lRbjRUb2ZfNG5QYlpWaWlNUklTSnFRUFRmcC1DWXBFMk9aS3h6RE5WUG1EOUxybzJzVzNvTk1PX3VVREZ4bTk5V2VGd2dlVktqVmRRSFFXSldBbHRoSWRjdnhiN2ZMN0Ftem1fNVQtdlNsZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Ffresh-group%2F&v=pbhZgbZQF0g] Instagram:   / lifeatfresh   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjdTZ1lqaTZlTExJbHIwZ0dkSi10OWZZNVlHZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttS0JjSXlkOGhMT2VVcUlWODlJdi02X3hCMG5kUnFIcWJKYjFDT0FIazN4b0NYM0xnNmZSdDRmUHFIQVY0dlRoUzhsTTVuM29Vejh5aDJCYkZsSXZ4UnlQVDd1d0xCSEs2bjc0NnByYzVPbmk1SV9uTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Flifeatfresh%2F&v=pbhZgbZQF0g] Lee Harris:   / lee-harris-b63ba542   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa09wUXdDTmdwbTJXQnZrOWhfc0lWN3Fra1A2d3xBQ3Jtc0ttTmxUaHZXREFZR3pITlpiNE1OcllyS2t6S3l2d0t6OXJHU1BDeHpYdlB1NEJONzZDd1ZLSkRsZHJlSEpfRjk3RDI2MnZhMDdnSkVxRmIzaXBJdm51V0JybVZYdXoyUVVTWEJ5QV96WnlULV83OUUtYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Flee-harris-b63ba542%2F&v=pbhZgbZQF0g]S uzy Woods:   / suzy-woods-47417b25   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazMwY01KeXQtSmpySEJzdjdzaUtnYnowNzZCQXxBQ3Jtc0ttRWdSdlVrU2U1QkhRa1ZRaEwwM3FGZzFXS1B3eDdKWVRFWjd0cDFPTWFzSmh1SWdWalo1czVqNGlSZ3BpTVg1WHY3RFdKeXF3OXBSdUZYQlM2WWVmcHBvVm1lZGM3NGt0QzBzNU1HV0oxc1hzeGJuMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fsuzy-woods-47417b25%2F&v=pbhZgbZQF0g] Rachel Sugden:   / rachel-sugden-09667b19   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkJ5R0JnNllVMVhXcDZXRndONzFrcnFfYmZyUXxBQ3Jtc0tsb0VjNWlOLW41UXpaMkRrVDFoaFlrMzRZblp2OFJDdW9aRm8yTFFTZE9EdHBRb3A5U1FBR2RfLTM0VUJhaXdrTjVDaHJzVmQ5dm9BZmRtVjZLZmlTNWpCVkRua1dzRlo4YlNmWkR3WnU3M0ZlTXh6Zw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Frachel-sugden-09667b19%2F&v=pbhZgbZQF0g]