The Immortal Life of Agencies

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]

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]

Today’s guest is Andrew Swinand, CEO of Inspired Thinking Group, a PE-backed and AI-enabled content business that is scaling faster than most in our industry. With two decades at Publicis, including running Leo Burnett and leading creative in the US, Andrew brings a rare dual perspective on both the creative and operational sides of the business. He shares why the HoldCo.s are trapped in the classic Innovator’s Dilemma and how AI is reshaping the economics of content production. But far from AI replacing creativity, Andrew explains why operational AI is actually paving the way for a new creative renaissance. From automating tens of thousands of assets, to rethinking how talent and technology combine, Andrew cuts through the noise to offer a clear view of the pressures and possibilities facing agencies today. HIGHLIGHTS [01:54] Taking the entrepreneurial path [04:32] Why AI won’t replace creativity [07:53] Blockers to agency innovation [13:37] Delivering scale and speed [17:53] Fear, uncertainty and hype [23:46] Generative AI's real limits [25:18] A new creative renaissance [30:48] Leading with honesty [32:37] Embracing humanity MORE ABOUT ANDREW: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewswinand [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/andrewswinand] Website: inspiredthinking.group [https://inspiredthinking.group/] 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]

Today’s guest is John Harris, President & CEO of Worldwide Partners Inc. With nearly a decade leading the world’s most collaborative network of independent agencies – and a prior career inside holding companies – he brings a rare balance to one of the industry’s most polarised debates. John explains indies’ undoubted ‘moment’, but also recognises the unique strengths of the holding company model. From global media buying muscle to the power of local market fluency, John unpacks where each approach adds value to clients. Along the way, he shares how CMOs are regaining influence in the boardroom, why collaboration can’t be mandated and how AI is reshaping agency models. Optimistic, practical and refreshingly honest, John offers genuine insight for agencies of all sizes. HIGHLIGHTS: [02:17] Why ‘indies vs. HoldCo.s’ isn’t helpful [06:29] The impact of local knowledge  [10:46] Combining access, flexibility and partnership [17:31] Proof points over promises [19:27] From a moment to a movement [22:32] Collaboration over scale [27:47] Don't mess with culture [30:00] Disrupting production and pricing [33:49] Rise of the CMO [36:30] What clients rarely admit MORE ABOUT JOHN: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/netharris [https://www.linkedin.com/in/netharris] Website: worldwidepartners.com [https://www.worldwidepartners.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]

Today’s guest is the incomparable Karen Martin, CEO of BBH London and Dublin, and President of the IPA. Known for her infectious optimism, Karen brings a fresh perspective to how agencies can thrive in uncertain times. For her, positivity is more than just a nice-to-have – it’s a business imperative that lifts entire industries. Karen also argues that the sector is in better shape than many fear, and urges agency leaders to celebrate each other’s success more often. Karen also dives into the importance of attracting diverse new talent, why AI should be embraced rather than feared, and how BBH’s famous ‘Barn’ programme is helping the next generation of creatives cut their teeth.  Along the way, she explains why she believes creativity will always be the industry’s most powerful commercial tool, and how BBH has maintained its stellar reputation for so long.  HIGHLIGHTS [02:10] How energy fuels creativity [06:36] Fresh talent finds a way [10:22] Diversity unearths sharper insights [13:09] People vs AI [14:55] Earning a premium for critical thinking [17:56] Driving business impact [25:01] Partnerships formed through crisis [31:24] Creating timeless platforms [35:55] The value of competition [39:49] Breaking the rules  MORE ABOUT KAREN: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karen-martin [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/karen-martin-95506046] Website: bartleboglehegarty.com [https://www.bartleboglehegarty.com/] BBH Barn: bartleboglehegarty.com/barn2025 [https://www.bartleboglehegarty.com/barn2025] 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]