The Pixel Perfect Podcast | Wisdom from World-Class Creatives, Marketers, and Entrepreneurs

31

Partners Over Vendors: Elizabeth Amstutz on Culture, Clarity, and Client Growth at Scale

Elizabeth Amstutz is Chief People Officer at Empower Ocean Media Group, the second-largest independent media agency group in the United States, where she helps build the systems behind the people. She has spent 30 years in the agency media business, holding leadership roles across media strategy, operations, and talent.

Chief People Officer at Empower Ocean Media Group

30

Truth Over Trend: Ellis Verdi on What Actually Lasts in Advertising

Ellis Verdi has been running DeVito/Verdi for close to 40 years. In that time, the agency has been named best mid/small agency in the U.S. six times by the 4A’s. A record nobody has touched. And Ellis never built a marketing plan to get there. He’s still energized by the same thing that got them started: independence. Not independence as a corporate structure. Independence as a posture. The kind where you can lose an account and still walk into the next room knowing you’ll be fine.

President and Co-Founder of DeVito/Verdi

29

Decent Is Done: Benjamin Gabe Nazario on What Small Agencies Get Right and What AI Can't Replace

Benjamin Gabe Nazario runs Offbeat Creative with four people. Full-timers. That's it. And they're producing video and social content for JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, Google, Samsung, and Disney. In this conversation with Adam Weil, Gabe walks through how a team that small competes at that level and why he chose this model after burning out trying to do everything himself.

founder and CEO of Offbeat Creative

28

Small by Design: Miles Marmo on Building a Boutique That Actually Wins

Miles Marmo spent years managing creative, media, and PR agencies from the brand side at Mark Anthony Group. The pattern he kept seeing was the same at every scale. Beautiful creative work that had no real connection to whether the business was actually growing. Agencies would pitch big ideas, win awards, move on. Meanwhile the brand team was left trying to figure out if any of it moved the needle on shelf presence, trial, or retention. So he built Agency Squid to close that gap. Based in Minneapolis, Squid operates as a hybrid: part business consultancy, part creative agency.

Co-founder of Agency Squid

27

The Loud Introvert: Chris Do on Craft, Confidence, and Charging What You're Worth

Chris Do, Founder and CEO of The Futur, and Adam Weil start from a place a lot of agency owners will recognize. You can be “good with people” and still be an introvert. Chris explains introversion as energy management, then gets specific about how he built tolerance over time. Teaching used to wipe him out for a day and a half. Now he can teach twice in a day because he treated it like exposure therapy and reframed the discomfort as part of growth.

Founder and CEO of The Futur

26

The Webinar Rebuild: Logan Lyles on Turning Virtual Events Into Demand Engines

Logan Lyles spent an entire year running monthly webinars that resulted in fewer than ten sales calls and only one closed deal. Instead of abandoning webinars altogether, he rebuilt his approach from scratch and turned those same virtual events into his agency's second highest source of new leads. In this conversation with Adam Weil, Logan walks through what changed, why most B2B webinars struggle to generate real pipeline, and the specific system he uses now to book five times more sales calls than the industry average.

Founder of DemandShift

25

Culture as Currency: Shawn Kessler on Building Employer Brands That Attract Talent

Recruitment marketing used to be simple. Post the role, pay the job board, hope the right person finds it. Shawn Kessler has been watching that whole system change for 25 years, and the last year has been the real shift. Candidates are starting to search differently, and AI is changing what gets surfaced first. That has big implications for agencies, because they sell the collective excellence of their people.

Partner and Managing Director of Recruitment Marketing at Aloysius Butler and Clark (AB&C)

24

Reset Your Expectations: David C. Baker on Building Agencies That Actually Work

David C. Baker joins Adam Weil with a simple starting point: calm down, reset your expectations, and stop letting the loudest voices set your priorities. He’s seen plenty of industry “moats” come and go, and he puts AI in that same bucket. Real change, yes. A reason to spiral, no. What matters more is how leaders respond when the noise gets louder, and whether they stay focused on fundamentals instead of headlines.

Practice Lead, Advisory Services at Punctuation

23

Outcome Based Pricing: Dan Mall on Why Saying No Drives Agency Growth

Dan Mall, designer, agency founder, and one of the most transparent voices in the creative business space, joins Adam Weil to break down what it really takes to build an agency that is both profitable and calm. Dan shares why most agencies default to hourly pricing and how that choice quietly caps confidence, revenue, and leverage. Instead of treating pricing as a calculation tied to time, he reframes it as a strategic decision rooted in value, context, and expertise.

Designer, Agency Founder & Business Coach

22

Scaling Agencies That Convert: Tyler Pigott on Building Sales Systems That Drive Growth

Tyler Pigott, Senior Director of Sales at StoryBrand and Co-Founder at Agency Builders, joins the Pixel Perfect Podcast for a candid conversation about what it really takes to scale an agency with intention. Tyler shares how founders can move from taking every opportunity that comes their way to building focused, repeatable sales systems that drive sustainable growth. Drawing on his experience leading sales teams and coaching agency owners, he breaks down how a clear ICP, a well-defined vision, and disciplined communication work together to create momentum that lasts.

Senior Director of Sales at StoryBrand and Co-Founder at Agency Builders

21

Orchestration Over Ownership: Ivan Fernandes on Building Agencies That Last

Ivan Fernandes, a globally recognized marketing management consultant and M&A advisor, delivers a reality check on where agencies stand as AI, consolidation, and client sophistication collide. In this conversation with Adam Weil, Ivan argues that most agency leaders aren't asking the hard questions soon enough. They're waiting to see where things land instead of paying attention to the signals happening right now, from how consulting firms are carving out transformation work to how tech platforms are absorbing media budgets.

Marketing Management Consultant and M&A Advisor

20

Built to Change: How Modern Agencies Evolve in the Age of Intelligence

In this episode, Adam Weil sits down with Carl Smith, Owner of The Bureau, to unpack how the agency model is shifting as AI becomes deeply embedded in the work clients expect. Carl shares why he believes the traditional expertise model is reaching its limit. With clients now tapping into the same tools and information as agencies, the real value is no longer about knowing what can be done. It is about guiding clients toward what they should do and knowing where AI falls short.

Owner of The Bureau

19

From Founder to Facilitator: Peter Kang on Scaling Agency Businesses with Purpose

In this episode, Adam Weil sits down with Peter Kang, Co-founder of Barrel Holdings, to unpack the disciplined habits and systems that scale agency businesses for the long term. Peter dives deep into the philosophy that transformed his single agency, Barrel, into a thriving portfolio of seven specialized firms. He shares the framework behind his "Agency Habits," emphasizing that sustainable growth isn’t about heroic, one-time fixes but rather small, consistent actions that compound over time.

Co-founder of Barrel Holdings

18

Finding Your Lane: John Harris on Scaling Independent Agencies Through Clarity, Collaboration, and Smart Growth

In this episode, Adam Weil sits down with John Harris, President & CEO of Worldwide Partners, Inc., a global network of over 90 independent marketing agencies in 50+ countries. John shares his vantage point from working daily with agencies across continents and industries, offering a candid, optimistic view of the current agency landscape. They dive into what sets thriving agencies apart from those struggling to adapt, from having a crystal-clear positioning to maintaining an "always-on" marketing approach and investing consistently in their own brand.

President & CEO of Worldwide Partners, Inc.

17

Creative Talent in an AI World: A Conversation with Dave Miller

In this episode, Adam Weil chats with Dave Miller, founder of Design Citizen, about how AI, shifting team dynamics, and burnout are reshaping the design industry. Dave looks back on the 2023-2024 tech layoffs that hit designers hard and AI's disruptive rise, and stresses the need for continuous learning and experimentation.

Founder of Design Citizen

16

From the C-Suite to Heatstroke: Ross Clugston's Bold Exit from Big Agency Life to Creative Freedom

In this episode, Ross Clugston, former C-level exec at Design Bridge and Partners, gets real about building lean, purpose-driven agencies that cut the fluff and focus on what matters: bold ideas, strong relationships, and meaningful work.

Former Chief Creative Officer of Design Bridge and Partners

15

Charting Her Own Path: Belle Frank's Incredible 40-Year Journey in the Agency World

Belle Frank, former Chief Strategy Officer at VML Health, reflects on her unconventional career in advertising, emphasizing the importance of following personal interests.

Former Chief Strategy Officer at VML Health

14

Quick, Nimble and AI-Powered: The Future of Boutique Agencies with Dust LeBlanc

In this podcast episode, Creative Director Dust LeBlanc of Locomotive discusses the evolving landscape of digital agencies, highlighting how AI tools have helped streamline strategy development and content creation. He shares insights on why smaller, agile agencies are becoming the future, as they can pivot quickly and collaborate efficiently. Dust also walks us through Locomotive's rapid website development for an electric RV startup, showcasing how a lean team adapted to tight deadlines and evolving brand elements. He emphasizes the importance of content in web design and how strategic partnerships with content-focused agencies enhance Locomotive’s capabilities.

Creative Director at Locomotive

13

Profitability Unpacked: Transforming Agency Success with Marcel Petitpas

In this episode of the Pixel Perfect Podcast, Adam Weil interviews Marcel Petitpas, CEO and co-founder of Parakeeto, about agency profitability. Marcel shares his journey from running a small agency in 2015-2016 with low margins in real estate virtual tours to founding Parakeeto to help agencies improve profitability. He explains that many agencies struggle due to outdated views treating profitability as solely a finance issue. Marcel highlights the importance of four key data sets: finance, people, project, and time tracking. Marcel concludes by emphasizing specialization, collaboration, and proper sequencing in profitability management.

CEO and Co-Founder of Parakeeto

12

Mastering Lead Gen: Insights on Growth and Strategy with Karl Sakas

This time, Adam chats with Karl Sakas, an executive coach who has worked with hundreds of agencies worldwide to help them grow without the stress. Karl shares straightforward tips on lead generation, effectively leveraging AI, and making events work for your agency. Whether you're scaling up or simply looking for ways to run things more smoothly, this episode is packed with practical advice.

Executive Coach at Sakas & Co.

11

Beyond the Pitch: Scaling Your Agency with Jason Swenk

Join Adam as he sits down with Jason Swenk, who turned his digital agency into a $30 million success. Jason opens up about the ups and downs of agency life, from starting out by accident to mastering the art of growth. He shares actionable strategies for scaling your business effectively, the importance of building a solid team, and some surprising lessons from his pilot training.

Founder of Agency Mastery 360

10

Beyond Design: Building a Team and Culture for Success with Bill Kenney

Join Adam Weil as he chats with Bill Kenney, CEO of Focus Lab, about the real-world magic of branding. They touch on everything from starting out in Georgia to nailing big-name clients, building a team that clicks, and how AI is shaking up the design scene. Bill brings a down-to-earth take on why branding isn't just business—it's personal.

CEO of Focus Lab

09

Designing Impact: Shaping an Agency Model to Empower Startups, with Guillaume Hamon

Join Adam and Guillaume Hamon, CEO of REJOUICE, in an engaging conversation about changing the design industry. Hear about Guillaume's transition from finance to leading design efforts and how he's helped startups like Rivian and Oura Ring set industry standards. Explore REJOUICE's focus on quality, global talent, and a unique profit-sharing model.

Founder of REJOUICE

08

The Body and Soul Process: Unraveling the DNA of Brands, with Boyden and Youngblutt

Join the dynamic duo, Andy Boyden and Jerry Youngblutt, as they unveil their secret to success: the powerful "body and soul process." From their competitive art school days to revolutionizing the industry with their ROI-focused mindset, Andy and Jerry's journey is filled with triumphs, surprises, and game-changing insights.

Co-Founders of Boyden & Youngblutt

07

Sun Yi on the Path to Personal Branding: Embracing Self-Learning, Life Lessons, and Authenticity

Sun Yi discusses his exploration of personal branding and the shortcomings of conventional education. He highlights the power of self-learning and shares invaluable life lessons learned from his enemies. Sun Yi discusses the importance of self-awareness, motivation, and culture. He also tackles the misconception that selling oneself is solely a communication issue.

Founder of Night Owls

06

Stanley Hainsworth on the Secret to Thriving in the Creative Industry: Purpose

Join us as Adam talks with Stanley Hainsworth, a corporate trailblazer turned branding expert, as he shares his secrets to forging powerful emotional connections with consumers and explains why he believes acting is the ultimate training ground for building successful brands.

Founder & CEO of Tether

05

Amy Balliett on a Designers' Guide to Effective Marketing: the Crucial Role of Visual Strategy

Join Adam as he meets with marketing expert Amy Balliet to explore her unique approach to marketing strategies for designers, her experience as a LinkedIn Instructor, and her valuable insights on how to bridge the gap between designers and marketers to produce exceptional work.

Senior Fellow of Visual - Material

04

Dava Guthmiller on The Importance of Making the Invisible Visible

Get ready for an insightful conversation with Dava Guthmiller, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Noise 13. She'll share her experiences creating sustainable, diverse, and empathetic projects and her quest to make the invisible visible.

Founder & Chief Creative Officer - Noise 13

03

Steve Barretto on Branding: a Path to Change the Name of the Craft

Listen to this inspiring interview with Steve Barretto, a seasoned leader in the branding industry. He shares his passion for big ideas and how he elevates brands to create memorable experiences.

Founder & Principal - Barretto-Co.

02

Rob Leonard on How to Create Our Definition of Success

Are you ready to learn from one of the tech industry's top leaders? In this episode, Adam sits down with Rob Leonard. He explains why continuous learning and having a "beginner's mind-an open and curious approach-allows you to identify opportunities and stay ahead of the curve.

Managing Director - Tactile

01

Greg Bellinger on the Motivation of a Serial Entrepreneur to Build a Company with a Culture Focused on Authenticity and Loving What You Do!

On this podcast episode, Adam sits down with Greg Bellinger, the founder of White Rabbit Group, to discuss the key elements of the company's success, such as building a human-centered culture, creating long-lasting partnerships, and developing a value proposition that aligns with the current world.

CEO - White Rabbit Group

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