The Immortal Life of Agencies

Yes&'s CEO: What’s in a name? – Zihla Salinas

Today’s guest is Zihla Salinas, CEO of a 40-year-old indie that rebranded as ‘Yes&’. She shares the story behind the name, including how the improv-inspired mindset of ‘accept and build’ has become a blueprint for the business.  This philosophy shapes everything from their M&A strategy and client partnerships, to leadership development and creative delivery. You’ll hear why figure-it-out-ability, curiosity and positivity are Yes&’s measurable values, not just words on a wall. Zihla also unpacks how Yes& cracked the code for working with complex clients, and how great account service – not just great ideas – is often what makes the difference.  HIGHLIGHTS: [02:25] The power of positivity [07:00] The story behind Yes& [11:04] What makes Yes& different [16:10] Figure-Out-Ability [19:30] Communication as a superpower [21:33] Redefining client service [23:12] Spotting positive mindsets [28:42] Cultural alignment in clients [34:46] Learning from success [36:47] Smart cross-selling [40:21] Building strong partnerships MORE ABOUT ZIHLA: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zihla [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zihla/] Website: yesandagency.com [https://yesandagency.com/] HOST SOCIALS: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robinbonn [https://linkedin.com/in/robinbonn] Twitter: twitter.com/robonn [https://twitter.com/robonn] MORE ABOUT CO:DEFINERY: Website: codefinery.com [https://codefinery.com] Book: Market of One [https://marketofone.agency] Mentioned in this episode: Market of One  If you are a fan of this podcast, then you'll love my new book Market of One, how Your Agency can rewrite the Rules and create a lasting competitive advantage. Sharing my experience, repositioning close to 150 agencies over the last decade. Key Highlights: - Insights from repositioning 150+ agencies - Expert contributions from industry leaders Greg Hahn, Rory Sutherland, and Nils Leonard - Strategies for deeper differentiation and increased profitability Learn how to stand out, win more business, and command premium rates. Don't miss this opportunity! Visit marketofone.agency now and unlock your agency's potential. Market Of One Landing Page [https://the-immortal-life-of-ag.captivate.fm/marketofone]

UEG's Global CEO: Culture, entertainment and commerce – Jarrod Moses

Today’s guest is Jarrod Moses, Founder and Global CEO of United Entertainment Group (UEG) – part of Edelman. Jarrod unpacks how brands, creators, sports stars and celebrities meet in the fast-evolving world of culture and entertainment marketing. He reveals how UEG structures partnerships that go beyond timesheets and deliverables to also reward performance and behaviours.  Jarrod also discusses the shifting power balance between creators, agencies and clients, the pitfalls of inauthentic partnerships, and the discipline it takes to stay entrepreneurial while leading a global agency network. From UEG’s early work with Rihanna to long-term lessons in leadership, this conversation offers an inspiring look at the mechanics of one of the world’s pre-eminent marketing disciplines.  HIGHLIGHTS: [02:01] The role of emotion [04:35] Enhancing culture [07:46] Taming the celebrity–brand beast [09:35] Three truths of partnership [12:34] Game plans for every client [17:43] Believable spontaneity [22:20] What kills authenticity [27:57] Discovering Rihanna with Jay-Z [33:51] UEG’s commercial formula [35:58] Engaging the C-suite MORE ABOUT JARROD: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jarrod-moses [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrod-moses-18481378/] Website: uegworldwide.com/ [https://www.uegworldwide.com/] HOST SOCIALS: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robinbonn [https://linkedin.com/in/robinbonn] Twitter: twitter.com/robonn [https://twitter.com/robonn] MORE ABOUT CO:DEFINERY: Website: codefinery.com [https://codefinery.com] Book: Market of One [https://marketofone.agency] Mentioned in this episode: Market of One  If you are a fan of this podcast, then you'll love my new book Market of One, how Your Agency can rewrite the Rules and create a lasting competitive advantage. Sharing my experience, repositioning close to 150 agencies over the last decade. Key Highlights: - Insights from repositioning 150+ agencies - Expert contributions from industry leaders Greg Hahn, Rory Sutherland, and Nils Leonard - Strategies for deeper differentiation and increased profitability Learn how to stand out, win more business, and command premium rates. Don't miss this opportunity! Visit marketofone.agency now and unlock your agency's potential. Market Of One Landing Page [https://the-immortal-life-of-ag.captivate.fm/marketofone]

Publicis Groupe's Global CSO: Unpacking the ‘Power of One’ – Loren Grossman

Today’s guest is Loren Grossman, Global Chief Strategy Officer of the ‘Solutions Group’ within Publicis Groupe – so he’s right at the centre of how the agency world is evolving. Loren describes a ‘golden age’ of impact, explaining how Publicis has built a future-facing model that goes far beyond marketing communications. From bold acquisitions like Epsilon and Sapient, to their ‘Power of One’ approach that brings every capability together, he shares how the group has worked hard to make integration really work – and how that’s fuelled their relentless new-business success with the likes of Coke and Mars.  Packed with insights on leadership, culture and the real opportunities in AI and data, this conversation paints a truly optimistic picture of where agencies are headed and how to stay relevant in a rapidly changing market.  HIGHLIGHTS: [02:31] Loren’s role [07:44] Reinventing HoldCo.s [09:26] How structure enables strategy [13:19] Making bold acquisitions [15:01] Integration made practical [22:53] The ‘Power of One’ in action [28:10] Partnership as a differentiator [33:05] Avoiding the AI trap [35:22] Building on CRM’s legacy [39:18] The golden era of impact MORE ABOUT LOREN: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/loren-grossman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-grossman-4385676/] Website: publicisgroupe.com/fr [https://www.publicisgroupe.com/fr] HOST SOCIALS: LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/robinbonn [https://linkedin.com/in/robinbonn] Twitter: twitter.com/robonn [https://twitter.com/robonn] MORE ABOUT CO:DEFINERY: Site: codefinery.com [https://codefinery.com] Book: Market of One [https://marketofone.agency]

Party Land's Co-Founder: Comedy’s greatest ad agency – Haley Hunter

Today’s guest – for our 50th episode! – is Haley Hunter, Co-Founder of Party Land – proudly known as comedy’s greatest ad agency. In this lively conversation, Haley unpacks how humour has become a strategic superpower, not just a punchline. She shares how Party Land went from convincing clients that comedy belonged in advertising to being the go-to agency for those wanting to master it – not least Liquid Death. Haley also dives into the neuroscience behind laughter, explaining how it primes audiences for connection and recall. Beyond the creative side, she reveals how empathy, autonomy and trust fuel Party Land’s remote office set-up – and why comedy is as much about mindset as it is about craft. It’s an inspiring lesson in leading with conviction, creating a new category and finding joy in the serious business of marketing.  HIGHLIGHTS: [01:57] Funny as a superpower [04:05] Making the case for comedy [11:08] Owning creative outcomes [13:17] The art of pushing just enough [16:23] Authenticity at work [17:46] Freedom and liberation [25:11] Finding the right people  [29:51] Behind the laughter [33:29] The biggest risk in advertising  [38:23] Leading with joy and conviction MORE ABOUT HALEY: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hihaleyhunter [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hihaleyhunter/] Website: partyland.co [https://www.partyland.co/] HOST SOCIALS: LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/robinbonn [https://linkedin.com/in/robinbonn] Twitter: twitter.com/robonn [https://twitter.com/robonn] MORE ABOUT CO:DEFINERY: Site: codefinery.com [https://codefinery.com] Book: Market of One [https://marketofone.agency] Mentioned in this episode: Market of One  If you are a fan of this podcast, then you'll love my new book Market of One, how Your Agency can rewrite the Rules and create a lasting competitive advantage. Sharing my experience, repositioning close to 150 agencies over the last decade. Key Highlights: - Insights from repositioning 150+ agencies - Expert contributions from industry leaders Greg Hahn, Rory Sutherland, and Nils Leonard - Strategies for deeper differentiation and increased profitability Learn how to stand out, win more business, and command premium rates. Don't miss this opportunity! Visit marketofone.agency now and unlock your agency's potential. Market Of One Landing Page [https://the-immortal-life-of-ag.captivate.fm/marketofone]

JOAN's co-founders: Building modern legends – Jaime Robinson & Lisa Clunie

In a first for the show, today we have not one but two guests – Jaime Robinson and Lisa Clunie, co-founders of the creative agency JOAN, born in NYC and now smashing it in London and Berlin too.  Jaime and Lisa reveal how they’re blending the rigour of classic brand building with the pace and energy of modern culture. They share why they believe now is a golden age of creativity, how disruption is reshaping the talent model and what it means to modernise brands. You’ll hear their take on what makes a great client–agency fit, why conviction matters more than buzzwords, and how AI and reverse mentorship could define the next generation of creative leaders. It’s an authentic, optimistic conversation that captures the spirit of JOAN: bold, human and unapologetically modern. HIGHLIGHTS: [02:04] Joan's legendary beginnings [06:56] Building timeless brands [09:27] Firing clients that don’t fit [13:59] Audience-first creativity in action [16:17] Into a golden age [19:21] An alchemy of strengths [24:33] Wisdom meets the machine [26:03] The power of shared mentorship [30:36] Pitches as creative playgrounds [34:18] A new industrial revolution MORE ABOUT JAIME & LISA: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hellojaimerobinson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hellojaimerobinson/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisaclunie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaclunie/] Website: joancreative.com [https://joancreative.com/] HOST SOCIALS: LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/robinbonn [https://linkedin.com/in/robinbonn] Twitter: twitter.com/robonn [https://twitter.com/robonn] MORE ABOUT CO:DEFINERY: Site: codefinery.com [https://codefinery.com] Book: Market of One [https://marketofone.agency] Mentioned in this episode: Market of One  If you are a fan of this podcast, then you'll love my new book Market of One, how Your Agency can rewrite the Rules and create a lasting competitive advantage. Sharing my experience, repositioning close to 150 agencies over the last decade. Key Highlights: - Insights from repositioning 150+ agencies - Expert contributions from industry leaders Greg Hahn, Rory Sutherland, and Nils Leonard - Strategies for deeper differentiation and increased profitability Learn how to stand out, win more business, and command premium rates. Don't miss this opportunity! Visit marketofone.agency now and unlock your agency's potential. Market Of One Landing Page [https://the-immortal-life-of-ag.captivate.fm/marketofone]