From Crisis to Client Trust - Ethan Rasiel - Marketing Agency Power Hour - Episode # 029

Unlock the secrets to running a thriving PR and marketing agency in this episode of Marketing Agency Power Hour! Host Cal Wilder sits down with Ethan Rasiel, co-founder and CEO of Lightspeed PR & Marketing, to uncover what it takes to build lasting client relationships, manage crises with confidence, and grow a global agency with integrity.

From mastering client communication to building resilient teams and responsibly integrating AI, Ethan shares his hard-earned lessons from decades in both agency and in-house roles, including at Edelman and Samsung. Get ready to rethink how you communicate your value, train your clients, and lead your team toward sustainable success in today’s fast-paced marketing world.

 

Takeaways:

• Don’t assume clients know what happens behind the scenes. By proactively communicating wins and processes, agencies reinforce their value and strengthen client trust.
• Many clients don’t naturally know how to collaborate effectively with agencies. Honest, “tough love” feedback builds healthier, more successful long-term relationships.
• The best agencies tell clients what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. Protecting your team from toxic clients ensures your culture and productivity thrive.
• Agency success depends on empowering teams to operate independently. By promoting flexibility, work-life balance, and accountability, leaders can prevent burnout and create an agency that runs smoothly, even without the founder’s constant involvement.
• AI can streamline research and drafting, but human oversight is essential for quality and authenticity. Specialization in emerging fields can position an agency as an industry leader while maintaining trust and precision.

Connect with Ethan:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-rasiel-03998/ 
• Lightspeed PR & Marketing’s Website: https://lightspeedpr.com/ 
• Email: [e-mail] 
• PR Confidential: Unlocking the Secrets to Creating a Powerful Public Image book - https://www.amazon.com/PR-Confidential-Unlocking-Creating-Powerful-ebook/dp/B0CBCKYGMP 

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://marketingagencypowerhour.com/  
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19ECltpQuJWu6rfXlx98wT  
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/marketing-agency-power-hour/id1809205281  
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/344bea8c-7897-4dfc-8cdc-f31a92514243  
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-marketing-agency-power-hou-272863996/  
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/marketing-agency-power-hour-6067409  
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingAgencyPowerHour