Creative Community & Purpose with Tom Woodard

Creativity, Craft, and Leading Through Decades of Change

In this episode of The Spark, Mark Scrivner sits down with Robert Froedge, EVP and Executive Creative Director at Lewis Communications, to explore the mindset behind decades of award-winning creative leadership. From growing up in Nashville to leading teams across multiple offices, Robert shares how storytelling, craft, and curiosity have shaped his approach to branding, advertising, and creative problem-solving. The conversation dives deep into the evolution of the creative industry, from drafting tables and early computers to AI-powered workflows transforming agency life today. Robert offers practical insights on embracing change, mentoring young creatives, balancing creativity with measurable business results, and why human connection still matters in a rapidly evolving digital world. Episode Highlights 00:04 — Robert reflects on growing up in Nashville and returning to the church where he spent much of his childhood. 05:24 — A high school poster contest sparks Robert's passion for graphic design and creative storytelling. 11:20 — Robert shares the emotional story of nearly turning down his job at Lewis Communications and why Larry Norris' belief changed everything. 15:28 — The "magic spot" of great creative work: giving audiences just enough to connect the dots themselves. 16:53 — How Lewis Communications is embracing AI as a creative tool instead of fearing it. 33:13 — Advice for young creatives on adapting to change, embracing AI, and continuing to learn. 35:17 — Why in-office collaboration still matters for mentorship, culture, and creative growth. Learn More & Connect: Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ [https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/] Connect With Robert Froedge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-froedge-33a566a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-froedge-33a566a/] | https://lewiscommunications.com [https://lewiscommunications.com] Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner] | https://snapshot.agency/health [https://snapshot.agency/health] Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshot.agency/health [https://snapshot.agency/health]

Agency Growth, Thought Leadership & The Future of Agencies with Drew McLellan

What does the future look like for agencies navigating AI, shifting client expectations, and a rapidly changing economy? In this episode of The Spark, Mark Scrivner sits down with Agency Management Institute founder Drew McLellan to unpack the biggest findings from his latest agency research and why the next few years will fundamentally reshape the agency landscape. Drew shares what today's clients actually value, why strategic thinking matters more than execution, and how agencies can evolve before they become obsolete. From AI implementation and operational efficiency to niche positioning, talent development, and leadership evolution, this conversation is packed with practical insights for agency owners, marketers, and creative leaders trying to stay ahead. Whether you run an agency, lead a marketing team, or simply want to understand where the creative industry is headed, this episode offers a clear look at what's changing, and what agencies must do to thrive. Episode Highlights 00:01 – Why agencies are entering a year of massive change 03:23 – Clients are demanding strategic thinking over task execution 06:21 – How top-performing agencies are using AI operationally 10:37 – What clients say they'll buy from agencies in the future 15:16 – Why trust, transparency, and measurement matter more than ever 19:24 – The agency roles AI can't replace 27:34 – The hard truth agencies need to face right now Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ [https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/] Connect With Drew McLellan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewmclellan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewmclellan] | https://agencymanagementinstitute.com [https://agencymanagementinstitute.com] Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner] | https://snapshot.agency/health [https://snapshotinteractive.com/] Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshot.agency/health [https://snapshot.agency/health] Behavioral Health Marketing Built for Growth and Impact Snapshot Health is a strategic growth and marketing partner for behavioral health organizations nationwide. We help treatment centers, mental health providers, and recovery programs grow responsibly by aligning brand, digital strategy, and patient acquisition with clinical integrity and long-term outcomes. Our team specializes in performance-driven marketing for behavioral health, including SEO, paid media, branding, marketing strategy, website development, and admissions enablement. We focus on attracting the right patients, improving conversion, and building scalable systems that support sustainable growth. Snapshot Health brings deep expertise in compliance, ethics, and trust-based marketing. We partner closely with executive teams to drive predictable admissions growth while protecting reputation, mission, and quality of care.

Communication, ADHD & Building Better Work Relationships with Dave Delaney

In this episode of The Spark, Mark Scrivner sits down with communication expert, keynote speaker, and ADHD advocate Dave Delaney to unpack what great communication actually looks like inside growing organizations. From the early startup days at Emma and Griffin Technology to coaching leaders at some of the world's biggest companies, Dave shares hard-earned lessons about culture, collaboration, and building teams that truly connect. The conversation also dives deep into Dave's personal ADHD diagnosis later in life and how it reshaped the way he approaches work, leadership, productivity, and self-awareness. Together, Mark and Dave explore communication breakdowns, workplace culture, employee retention, dopamine-driven behavior, and why understanding your own operating system may be the key to unlocking your strengths. Episode Highlights 00:01 — Dave shares how networking in Nashville led him to Emma and the early startup scene 00:06 — Discovering communication as the foundation of his career and coaching work 00:12 — A workshop exercise that transformed collaboration and boosted sales inside a tech company 00:18 — How poor communication creates "turnover contagion" inside organizations 00:23 — Why "stay interviews" can dramatically improve employee retention and culture 00:37 — Dave explains how being diagnosed with ADHD at 50 changed his perspective on work and life 00:44 — Why Dave believes ADHD is not a superpower without support, access, and privilege Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ [https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/] Connect With Dave Delaney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davedelaney [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davedelaney] | https://davedelaney.me [https://davedelaney.me] Listen to Dave's podcast, ADHD Wise Squirrels: https://wisesquirrels.com/ [https://wisesquirrels.com/] Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner] | https://snapshot.agency/health [https://snapshotinteractive.com] Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshot.agency/health [https://snapshot.agency/health] Behavioral Health Marketing Built for Growth and Impact Snapshot Health is a strategic growth and marketing partner for behavioral health organizations nationwide. We help treatment centers, mental health providers, and recovery programs grow responsibly by aligning brand, digital strategy, and patient acquisition with clinical integrity and long-term outcomes. Our team specializes in performance-driven marketing for behavioral health, including SEO, paid media, branding, marketing strategy, website development, and admissions enablement. We focus on attracting the right patients, improving conversion, and building scalable systems that support sustainable growth. Snapshot Health brings deep expertise in compliance, ethics, and trust-based marketing. We partner closely with executive teams to drive predictable admissions growth while protecting reputation, mission, and quality of care.

Entrepreneurship, Creativity, and Building Bold Ideas with Mark Montgomery

In this episode of The Spark, Mark Scrivner sits down with entrepreneur and investor Mark Montgomery to unpack a career shaped by risk, reinvention, and hard-earned perspective. From quitting his job on the spot to build a competing business, to scaling Echo Music into a major player and eventually exiting, Mark shares the raw realities behind building something from nothing. But this conversation goes deeper than business. Mark reflects on personal loss, fatherhood, and how sitting with life's hardest moments reshaped his definition of success. The result is a grounded, honest look at entrepreneurship, not just as a pursuit of growth, but as a vehicle for meaning, resilience, and impact. Timestamps: 00:16 – "I never give up": fighting for what you've earned 01:03 – Realizing entrepreneurship was the only path 02:58 – Quitting on the spot and starting from scratch 06:22 – Discovering the power of the internet early 13:38 – How loss reshaped priorities and perspective 16:13 – The true mindset of an entrepreneur 49:26 – Why nothing really matters—and why that's freeing Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ [https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/] Connect With Mark Montgomery: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hellomarko/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hellomarko/] | https://www.hellomarko.com/ [https://www.hellomarko.com/] Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner] | https://snapshot.agency/ [https://snapshot.agency/] Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshot.agency/ [https://snapshot.agency/] #TheSparkPodcast #Marketing #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #Leadership #CreativeJourney

Creative Community & Purpose with Tom Woodard

From writing the jingles you can't get out of your head to scaling agencies nationwide, Tom Woodard has done it all. Now, he's on a mission to disrupt the creative status quo with The Ability Machine. In this episode, Mark Scrivner talks with Tom about his shift from building businesses to building a movement, creating a studio where neurodiversity and disability are the catalysts for better work. For agency owners and builders, this is a masterclass in leadership, purpose, and the power of radical inclusion. Timestamped Highlights: 00:00 – Tom's journey from jingles to advertising career beginnings 02:23 – Creating the iconic Budweiser frogs campaign 05:24 – The origin story behind The Ability Machine 07:56 – Why agencies struggle to adopt inclusive creative models 10:18 – Rethinking productivity and collaboration with disabilities 15:32 – How the mission reshaped Tom's definition of success 27:29 – Advice for young creatives: answering the call and knowing your audience Learn More & Connect: Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ [https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/] Connect With Tom Woodard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-woodard-b347673/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-woodard-b347673/] | https://theabilitymachine.com/ [https://theabilitymachine.com/] Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner] | https://snapshot.agency/health [https://snapshot.agency/health] Our Sponsor - https://snapshot.agency/health [https://snapshot.agency/health]