Advertise on podcast: Marketing Mindset Podcast

What does it actually take to build, and exit, a successful agency?   In this episode, Colby sits down with David Rodnitzky, founder of 3Q Digital, to unpack 25 years of agency growth, hard lessons, and hard-earned perspective. From building a $100M+ agency through multiple acquisitions to navigating private equity, AI disruption, and the realities of scaling service businesses, David shares what most founders only learn the hard way. They dive into: Why FOMO vs FOMU determines which clients you attractThe real difference between serving startups vs enterprise brandsWhy most agencies struggle with sales (and why that’s okay)How thought leadership actually compounds over timeWhen hiring ahead of revenue makes sense, and when it doesn’tWhat AI really means for agencies over the next few years  If you’re building, scaling, or rethinking an agency, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, positioning, and longevity.🎧 A must-listen for founders navigating the next stage of their business.

Most agencies treat client work like a machine… and their own marketing like an afterthought. In this episode, Phil Kiel breaks down why that mindset slows growth, and what actually happens when you flip the switch and start treating agency marketing like reps in the gym. From publishing imperfect lead magnets, to building a creative production line that doesn’t bottleneck, to navigating the balance between reactive and proactive media buying… Phil shares the systems, habits, and mindset shifts that keep an agency moving forward. We also dive into the power of consistency on social, why “lurkers” secretly drive revenue, and how to build a personal brand that compounds for years.If your agency is stuck waiting for “perfect,” this conversation is your sign to ship the next thing. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠https://www.dataally.ai/

Most brands don’t fail because they picked the wrong agency, they fail because they didn’t know when it was time to move on. In this episode, Colby Flood talks with Behdad Jamshidi, founder of CJAM Marketing Connector, about what happens when your business outgrows its agency, and how to recognize the signs before performance stalls. They unpack: 💡 The 5 levels of marketing partnerships (and how to know which you’re in) ⚙️ How to spot agencies that are sales engines vs. true operators 📈 Why brand growth often requires new structures, not just new spend 🤝 The communication gaps that quietly end client–agency relationships Whether you’re scaling from your first freelancer to a full-stack team, or wondering if your agency can still take you further, this one’s a roadmap for making smarter partnership decisions. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠https://www.dataally.ai/

Acquisition gets all the attention. Retention pays the bills. In this episode of Marketing Mindset, Jordan Narducci and Sebastian Williams unpack how DTC brands can move from chasing new customers to building loyalty that lasts. We dive into: 🧩 Why most “rebuild reminder” emails actually remind customers to cancel 💡 How stacking discounts the right way can lift LTV fast 📦 Why quarterly subscriptions outperform monthly ones in both profit and satisfaction 💸 And why scaling discounts over time is completely backwards If you’ve been feeling the pain of rising CACs and plateauing ROAS, this episode breaks down how to fix it, starting with the way you structure your subscription and retention strategy. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠https://www.dataally.ai/

What happens when you stop treating organic and paid as separate games, and start viewing marketing as one connected system?In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I sit down with Miruna Dragomir, CMO at Planable, to talk about the evolving role of organic social and why it’s the foundation for smarter, more effective paid strategies.Miruna shares how marketers can go beyond vanity metrics, use organic content to test messaging before scaling, and build brand strength that supports every other channel.Here’s what we cover: Why quality engagement beats follower counts every timeHow organic social helps validate creative before investing in paidThe balance between brand building and business outcomesWhy marketing works best when it functions as a single ecosystem If you’ve been stuck trying to prove ROI from organic social or debating where it fits in your marketing mix, this episode will reshape how you think about your entire strategy. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠https://www.dataally.ai/

How do you build and scale an agency that stands out in a sea of 90,000 competitors? In this episode of Marketing Mindset Podcast, I sit down with Erik Huberman, Founder & CEO of Hawke Media, to talk about what it takes to grow a truly sustainable agency. From bootstrapping Hawke into a 250-person team to managing $3B in marketing spend, Erik shares the mindset, mistakes, and strategies that fueled his success.Here’s what we cover: Why “being easy to work with” is Hawke’s unfair advantageHow to scale without racing to the bottom on pricingUsing AI to optimize campaigns, improve outcomes, and stay competitiveCommon mistakes agency owners make, and how to avoid themWhy profitability from day one is key to long-term sustainability Whether you’re an agency owner, marketer, or founder, this episode is packed with real talk about growing profitably and staying ahead of the curve. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠www.brighterclick.com ⁠Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠https://www.dataally.ai/

In this episode of Marketing Mindset, Mike Koziol is back to break down the path from $50K to $100K MRR, and how agencies can optimize for long-term sustainability instead of burnout.   We talk about: Why optimization is the theme of scaling past $50K MRRHow to upgrade your team without bloating headcountAvoiding the churn-and-burn trap by focusing on retention and deliveryThe biggest mindset shift agency founders must make to avoid bottlenecking growthThe power of compounding activities like SEO, referrals, and systemized upsells Whether you're in growth mode or approaching the $100K/month milestone, this episode is packed with insights on how to build the systems, team, and mindset that actually support your next level.

What does it really take to scale an agency to $100K months without burning out?In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I sit down with Mike Koziol, lawyer-turned-agency-owner-turned-consultant, who has helped countless service businesses navigate the messy middle of growth.We break down the milestones that matter most, and the traps that stall agencies before they ever reach scale.   Why what works at $5K/month won’t work at $50K/monthThe mantra “sell before you build” and how it saves years of wasted effortHow to make your service turnkey so clients don’t feel like they’re doing the workWhy retention is a growth engine that beats new acquisition every timeThe mindset shift from freelancer to business owner (and why so many burn out at $25K) Featuring:If you’re growing an agency or service-based business, this conversation is a roadmap for scaling smarter, not just bigger. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠https://www.dataally.ai/

What is a brand, really? Peter Wilken, former agency exec at Ogilvy, BBDO, and Leo Burnett joins the show to dismantle one of the biggest misconceptions in marketing: that branding is just visuals.He shares how great brands are built through emotional differentiation, internal culture, and strategic alignment - not just pretty logos and color palettes. We also talk about: The difference between branding vs. brand buildingWhy most small businesses think they’re “not ready” for brand (and why that’s wrong)How to avoid the AI-driven “blanding” of everythingWhat Peter learned leading brand strategy across Asia-Pacific for global companies, and how those same lessons apply to solopreneurs today If you’re struggling to define what your business truly stands for or how to make it stand out, this episode is for you. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠⁠https://www.dataally.ai/⁠

Brand building isn’t just about flashy campaigns, it’s about tying every effort back to revenue.   In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I sit down with Katie Cabanas, a consultant who’s helped major organizations (including some names you’ll instantly recognize) craft brands that customers trust and remember. Katie breaks down how to build a brand that actually moves the bottom line, whether you’re running a global company, a local nonprofit, or just starting out. Featuring: Why understanding your customer is the foundation of brand successHow hyper‑local campaigns can outperform massive ad buysUsing quick, simple market intel to shape messagingTurning bold ideas into action (and letting data guide you)  If you want practical, revenue‑driven steps to make your brand stronger in 2025, this episode is packed with insight. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠⁠https://www.dataally.ai/⁠

How do you future-proof your creative career when AI is disrupting everything?   In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I sit down with Farooq Umer, Brighter Click’s very own lead designer turned creative strategist, to break down his journey from executional design work to owning performance strategy. We talk about: Why most designers never see the data, and how that’s holding them backThe skills that actually matter when shifting into strategy rolesHow learning copywriting and influencer management changed Umer’s career trajectoryWhy AI won’t replace you if you evolve faster than it does Whether you're a designer, copywriter, or performance marketer, this episode is a blueprint for turning curiosity and grit into a thriving creative career. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠⁠https://www.dataally.ai/⁠

Reddit is one of the internet’s most honest platforms, and also one of the most misunderstood by marketers. In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I sit down with Anthony Gonzales, longtime moderator of Reddit’s r/Entrepreneur (4.3M+ members), to explore what actually works when engaging Reddit communities. We discuss: - Why Reddit isn’t just another social platform, and why treating it like one backfires - The art of second-order content and how brands can build credibility without getting banned - How Reddit’s domain authority makes it a sleeper SEO powerhouse - What Reddit’s evolution into video and native content means for marketers Anthony shares insights from running AMAs with startup founders, talking Reddit strategy at CES, and helping brands show up authentically where “hard sells” don’t survive. If you’ve been sleeping on Reddit, or just scared of it, this episode is your cheat code. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠⁠https://www.dataally.ai/⁠

How do top-performing agencies actually approach creative testing?In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I’m joined by Anze Markovic—founder of Unlock Performance and a seasoned creative strategist who’s worked on campaigns spending well into the 7 figures.   How to prioritize messaging angles based on impact and audience sizeWhy iterating on “medium performers” can drive more efficient winsHow to balance client expectations for novelty with performance-driven repetitionWhen to double down—and when to kill a conceptThe underrated power of copywriting in creative success  We break down the real workflow behind creative strategy and ad testing:Anze also shares how his team sources and scales UGC, why cross-client benchmarks are essential, and how old-school advertising books still shape his modern playbook.Whether you’re a performance agency, a media buyer, or a founder investing in paid ads—this conversation is a masterclass in thinking like a creative strategist. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠⁠https://www.dataally.ai/⁠

How do you scale a brand without losing what made it work in the first place?In this episode of Marketing Mindset, we’re joined by Sean Christman, VP of Ops at Cuts Clothing, a brand that’s not just riding the DTC wave but defining how to build for the long game.     The 3-part framework Cuts uses to plan product and marketing: Same-to-Same, New-to-Same, and New-to-NewWhy creative, not product, is the most important variable to optimizeHow to align seasonal marketing with customer behavior (and avoid ad fatigue)A simple system to preserve institutional memory and avoid relearning the same lessons  Sean unpacks the behind-the-scenes playbook Cuts uses to plan seasonal launches up to a year in advance, while still staying nimble enough to iterate monthly on creative, marketing angles, and positioning.We cover:Whether you're a DTC brand or a performance agency, this conversation is a masterclass in turning operational rigor into repeatable growth. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠⁠https://www.dataally.ai/⁠

In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I’m joined by Rahul, Head of Paid Marketing at a performance agency managing 7–9 figure brands.   Why hook rate and CTR don’t always predict performanceHis exact reporting structure for tracking new customer growthA scrappy influencer hack that landed his brand in front of A-list celebritiesHow to iterate creative the right way (hint: it’s not headline swaps)  We unpack what actually matters in creative testing, reporting, and scaling spend.Rahul shares:We also get real about creative fatigue, why Meta’s definition of a “new” asset has changed, and what to track when performance drops, plus the one question you must ask founders before building a report. Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠⁠ Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠⁠ Visit our Agency website: ⁠⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠⁠ Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠⁠https://www.dataally.ai/⁠