Own It

This week on Own It, we’re talking to Elizabeth Rosenberg from The Good Advice Company. Her firm is focused on executive personal branding, thought leadership, and brand positioning and high-level PR strategy. But she also founded a company or project called Chief Spiritual Officer.  We talked about that, her amazing career, being present and so much more. I loved her perspective on closing the gender gap in agency ownership and got smarter and more inspired talking to her. I know you will too! You can find links to Elizabeth Rosenberg‘s LinkedIn Profile and The Good Advice Company’s agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Carrie Stein from Bridge Insights and Media. She obviously came up through the media side of the ad business, working for many years at Neilsen before co-founding Bridge with her partner Jenny Griffith 10 years ago. They started with the idea that advertising could be smarter, more cost-effective and easier for clients. We talked about her firm, her journey to ownership and her thoughts on the gender gap in agency ownership.  Learning more about fellow agency owners never fails to give me ideas and inspiration. This episode was no different. You can find links to Carrie Stein’s LinkedIn Profile and Bridge Insights and Media’s agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Jessica Blumberg from hunterblu media. It was formed in 2018 to make working with a media agency easier for brands and creative agencies, and has blossomed. Jessica certainly came up through her career on the media side of the advertising industry. She spent time at Crispin Porter + Bogusky before turning consultant, then agency owner.  We talked about her journey, her passion for media and making that component of the advertising world easier to work with and a lot more. This was such an insightful chat. We're sure you’ll enjoy it.  You can find links to Jessica Blumberg’s LinkedIn Profile and hunterblu media’s agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Casey Benedict from Maverick Mindshare. Her firm spawned from the conflict between bloggers and public relations professionals that emerged in early days of brands being involved in social media. She began bridging the gap between the two sides and brokering brand deals with what we now know as influencers.  We talked about her journey to starting and building her agency, her thoughts on the agency gap in agency ownership and her hard-line position as a tennis player that Pickle Ball is an invasive species. We had such a fun chat. You’ll enjoy it as much as we did. Here’s my conversation with Casey Benedict.  You can find links to Casey Benedict’s LinkedIn Profile and Maverick Mindshare’s agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Courtney Lewis from The Variable. She just stepped into the role of partner and CEO there two months ago after being on the strategy and leadership team for several years.  Courtney didn’t land at The Variable from the agency world. She was in business and management consulting before and brought that experience and knowledge to the firm. We talked about everything from her journey to agency life and ownership, to her perspective on the gender gap in agency ownership, and even biscuits and baking. We had so much fun getting to know one another. You’re going to enjoy this a lot. You can find links to Courtney Lewis’s LinkedIn Profile and The Variable’s agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It, we’re talking to Holly Conti of Full Swing PR. If you remember the firm’s name, Holly is the co-owner with Caitlin Copple, who was our guest back in November of 2022. She wasn’t originally an owner, so we get to hear how an employe moves into an ownership role.  Holly and Christy had a great conversation about her journey from wanting to be creative and the boss when she was young, to being creative and the boss now. She had some smart thoughts on female ownership in the advertising business, too.  Enjoy this as much as we did. You can find links to Holly Conti's LinkedIn Profile and the Full Swing PR agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Erin Emmerson and Kelsey Cross from Tower 28. It is a global agency built on a network of in-market experts that helps brands globalize content for any audience. Their unique approach to the business is fascinating. We also enjoy hearing how co-founders and co-owners carve out that journey together. We certainly talked about that, but also parenthood, their paths to find one another and start their firm, and of course we chatted about closing the gender gap in agency ownership. This episode is full of fun and insight. We know you’ll enjoy it as much as we did. You can find links to LinkedIn profiles for Erin Emmerson⁠ and ⁠Kelsey Cross⁠ and the ⁠Tower 28⁠ website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Hope Harris Refuerzo from TillSow. It is a fully integrated global storytelling studio. Hope told me they serve the needs of an evolving culture by providing a modern, bespoke experience for companies, brands and artists.  Hope is based in Los Angeles and has a production background and was once a casting director in Hollywood.  We had such a fun conversation about our industry, our challenge with the gender gap in ownership there, and we compared notes as working moms who love to have fun with their kids.  As usual, we learned so much and were so inspired by Hope. You will be too! You can find links to Hope Harris Refuerzo's LinkedIn profile and TillSow's agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Amy Edwards from Quality Meats. Her firm does amazing work, but don’t take my word for it. They have earned Small Agency of the Year awards from both AdAge and AdWeek. The firm launched during the pandemic with no clients and no investors.  What they did have was two partners and a producer who wanted to do great work and remove what they call the “B.S.” of the advertising world. Obviously, they’ve succeeded in building an amazing company. We talked about how that happened, how Amy came to be the head of such a great agency, and her thoughts on the gender gap in agency ownership. We learn so much from these conversations. This one is no different.  You can find links to Amy Edwards LinkedIn profile and the Quality Meats website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Amanda Lucey from The Partnership. She’s been in that role for almost 13 years and has navigated through both growth and expansion. She came into the agency world from a career in associations, diplomacy and  politics. So her knowledge of that world certainly informs some interesting perspectives on the gender gap in agency ownership, and how we can attack that challenge. Amanda is so interesting. We learned so much talking to her. We know you will too. You can find links to ⁠Amanda Lucey⁠'s LinkedIn profile and ⁠The Partnership⁠'s website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Genna Franconi from 22squared and Trade School. She and they are based in Atlanta, Georgia. As you probably noticed, she runs two agencies. One is over a century old. The other was born out of a client need for scaling audience-based content.  Genna came up through the account side of the business and worked her way to the C-Suite at 22squared before founding Trade School as a spin-off firm, eventually earning leadership and partial ownership of the company. The two firms work with great brands like Home Depot, Publix, Baskin Robbins and many more.  Genna has also become an avid pickleball player in addition to her work and her children. We have so much in common. I loved this discussion. I know you will as well. You can find links to Genna's LinkedIn profile and the agency websites for 22Squared and Trade School in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Jen Harrington from Hatch. She jumped into the world of ownership when she founded Hatch over 16 years ago. So she has been at this a long time. Her perspective on the gender gap in agency ownership is full of experience and insight. Jen is also investing her time and energies in fostering the creative world. She creates on-ramps into the creative world for diverse talent and spends time volunteering with organizations like the Greater Boston Food Bank.  She is so busy and, therefore, so fascinating to talk to. You can find links to Jen's LinkedIn profile and the Hatch agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It, we’re talking to Lisa Kribs from TGW Studio. She is based in Rochester, New York, and came up through the creative side of the business. Her firm is a social impact marketing and creative studio that helps clients tell their stories. She is also a musician and recently finished an E-P! As you can imagine, we had a lot to discuss. I’m always excited to learn from creative brains. This episode certainly has a lot of that. Find links to Lisa Kribs's LinkedIn profile and TGW Studio's agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Erin Gwiazdon from Level Mpls. She spent several years at Level before joining the executive team, then moving into an ownership role. Most of her career has been on the agency side, but did jump out and work for brands in healthcare and arts.  We had a great conversation about spending time outdoors on the lake, her journey to ownership and her thoughts on closing the gap in advertising agency ownership. There’s so much great insight and learning in this episode. You’ll enjoy it as much as I did. Find links to Erin Gwiazdon's LinkedIn profile and the agency website for Level Mpls in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Kristen O’Neall of Mirage Media. She came up through the account services side of the business and founded Mirage Media last year.  Kristen is an admitted workaholic and is passionate about being a strategic visionary for her clients.  We had such a fun conversation about her journey, her influences and her thoughts on the state of gender balance in advertising agency ownership. She is so energetic and smart. We learned a lot from this conversation. We're sure you will as well.  Thanks for listening to this episode of OWN IT with You can find links to Kristen O’Neall's LinkedIn profile and the Mirage Media website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Liz Seelye from StarryEyed Strategy. Her firm believes to be starryeyed means to be creative, collaborative and visionary so you can dream new ideas and make them a reality.  But she also has a renewable energy company with her husband, trail runs and has been to over 40 countries, a dozen or so with one or more of her five children.  As you can tell, Liz is multifaceted and fascinating. We had such a great conversation and, of course, got into the challenges of the gender gap in agency ownership.  We so loved learning from her. We know you will, too.  Find links to Liz Seelye's LinkedIn profile and the ⁠StarryEyed Strategy⁠ agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Kerry McKibbin from Mischief. What can you say about the success of her firm? They’ve been in the top three agencies on Ad Age’s A-List each of the last four years, including topping that list twice in that time.  Their work is amazing. Their success is something we’re all both impressed by and maybe a little envious of.  As you might imagine, I tried to mine her for all sorts of insights from her journey, her leadership, her thoughts on the business and more.   There’s so much good to glean from this episode. You’re going to love it. You can find links to Kerry McKibbin's LinkedIn profile and the Mischief website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It, we’re talking to Emily Stutzman from Happylucky. She calls her firm a creative community built on the ethos of Fear Less, Love More. They do work that shifts hearts, minds, and culture.  Being in Oregon – one of my favorite places – Emily loves to grow things. Everything from plants to clients to her agency.  We talked about so much … her journey, her approach to clients, and her perspective on the gender gap in agency ownership. You’re going to love this episode.  You can find links to ⁠Emily Stutzman⁠'s LinkedIn profile and the ⁠Happylucky⁠ agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Kelly Long from Manifold. It is a creative experiential marketing firm that aims to create experiences that engage, delight, captivate and inspire people. And inspiring, Kelly certainly is. Host Christy Hiler and Long talked about her journey, her role models and dug into the topic of the gender gap in agency ownership. Kelly is also a fellow University of Oregon grad, so it is extra special to have her on the show for Christy!  You will love her insights in this episode. You can find links to Kelly Long⁠'s LinkedIn profile and the ⁠Manifold⁠ agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

This week on Own It we’re talking to Mary Cornette from Fuel. While we have the same last name, we don’t think we’re related. It’s spelled different. But, her family does have roots in Kentucky, so who knows? Mary is based in Greenville, South Carolina and her firm Fuel is a brand-building agency. She landed there from New York where she spent time at R/GA and Digitas, among others. Her brand experience is a Who’s Who list of brands and her experiences and perspective are a treasure to learn from. We so enjoyed her thoughts on our industry, hearing her journey and so much more. We know you’ll enjoy this episode.  You can find links to Mary Cornette's LinkedIn profile and the Fuel agency website in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you’re enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you’re a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.