The Innovative Agency

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek sits down with Cimin Cohen, CEO and Founder of Idea Peddler, an independent, woman-owned creative and media agency specializing in destinations, hospitality brands, and experience-driven organizations.

Cimin unpacks the "attribution illusion" reshaping today's media landscape and reveals why the metrics agencies rely on most don't always refle...

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek welcomes Justin Inman, CEO and Founder of Emberos, for a timely conversation about the rise of AI-driven discoverability.

As generative AI transforms search and rewrites the rules for how brands are found online, Justin shares why traditional SEO playbooks are no longer enough, and what agency leaders must do to stay ahead. 

D...

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek sits down with Courtney Cotrupe, CEO of Partners + Napier, for a conversation about leading an independent agency through founder succession while preserving the values that fuel long-term success. Courtney shares why culture and collaboration have become a competitive advantage, how agency business development has evolved, and what differentiates employee-...

Joining this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast is Mike May, Chief Strategy Officer at Fifty Thousand Feet, for a conversation about the evolving role of strategy in the AI era. Mike reveals how agencies can use AI not simply as a productivity tool, but as a strategic partner that accelerates, augments, and elevates their thinking. 

He shares a practical framework for preserving the uniquely hum...

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast we welcome Shauna Nuckles, CEO and Founder of Advocation, for a conversation about what drives sustainable agency growth. 

Shauna unpacks the hidden operational bottlenecks that keep agencies stuck, the leadership habits that quietly limit progress, and why productized services, smarter systems, and a clear definition of success matter more than relentl...

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek welcomes Robb Fahrion, Founder and CEO of Flying V Group, for a conversation about the realities of measuring and communicating ROI in today's agency environment. Together, they explore how agencies can set expectations from the very beginning, identify potential red flags during the sales and onboarding process, and create stronger partnerships built on t...

This episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast features Martin Calvert, Marketing Director at ICS-digital joining the podcast from Leeds, England. Martin breaks down the challenges agencies face when expanding into new markets, particularly when it comes to achieving online findability across different cultures, languages, and platforms.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience helping brands establis...

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek welcomes Andy Nathan, Founder of Fortnight Collective, to reimagine the traditional agency model.

Andy shares how Fortnight has built a powerful hybrid collective structure, combining a strong core team with an extensive network of specialized freelance talent to deliver speed, flexibility, and expertise at scale. He also offers insights into ...

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek welcomes back Dan Englander from Sales Schema for a deep dive into why relationships still drive agency business development.

Dan breaks down exactly why scaling referrals is elusive for so many service firms, what's changing in the landscape with AI, and how to build a practical, repeatable process

This conversation also challeng...

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek welcomes Jesse Lipson, Founder of Levitate and a seasoned technology entrepreneur, for an insightful conversation about staying genuinely connected in a world overflowing with automation.

Agency leaders know relationships drive growth, referrals, and long-term client trust. But, meaningful outreach often gets buried beneath deadlines, delivera...

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek sits down with Scott Brandon, CEO and Founder of The Evoq Group, for a conversation about what it takes to scale an agency through acquisition instead of relying solely on organic growth. 

From an unexpected transition out of law and into agency leadership, Scott shares how he transformed a small family agency into a growing portfolio of ...

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek welcomes Robin and Steve Boehler, co-founders of Mercer Island Group, for a candid conversation about what it takes for agencies to win in today's evolving business development landscape. 

As the agency world becomes more crowded with independent shops and shifting buyer expectations, too many firms still rely on outdated assumptions, weak...

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek welcomes Founder of Loop  Matt Cyr. Matt is answering the question: How do you move from talking about AI to actually making it work inside your business?

He joins to cut through the noise around "AI operationalization" and bring some much-needed clarity to what's real.The truth is many agency leaders feel the pressure to adopt AI quickly...

This episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast tackles a conversation that every agency leader should be paying attention to, whether you realize it or not. 

Digital accessibility is one of those topics that's easy to push down the priority list… until it becomes a legal issue, a lost opportunity, or a blind spot in your client strategy. And too often, agencies misunderstand what's required, und...

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek welcomes Roger Nairn, co-founder of JAR Podcast Solutions, to reveal why long-form content has become one of the most powerful tools for building trust, authority, and meaningful engagement in a fragmented digital landscape.

Roger challenges the notion that shorter is always better and makes a compelling case for depth, authenticity, and consi...

If your agency is still measuring success by clicks alone, you may be missing where the real opportunity begins. 

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek chats with Shamir Duverseau, Managing Director of Smart Panda Labs, to explore what happens after the click… when a prospect lands, evaluates, and decides whether to trust you or to leave. It's a stage many agencies ove...

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast, Sharon Toerek sits down with Greg Beauchamp, Founder of Bindery, for a thoughtful exploration of what it really means to build a modern creative agency.

Greg has crafted a unique model,one that intentionally blurs the lines between original filmmaking and branded content. He's navigating how to honor creative ambition while still delivering consistent comme...

On this episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast Sharon Toerek welcomes Derek Gwaltney, CEO and Founder of Atlas Experiences, for a conversation about what it really takes to build lasting connections in a world dominated by digital noise. Derek shares his journey from the lottery industry into experiential marketing, and how that path shaped his perspective on engagement, loyalty, and trust.

Derek shares ...

This episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast welcomes Doug Zanger of Indie Agency News, to discuss what it really takes for an independent agency to stay competitive and relevant in a market that's shifting faster than ever.

With a background that spans radio, journalism, and a deep commitment to the indie agency community, Doug brings a unique lens to what's happening across the industry.

He...