On this episode of Agency Alchemy, we sit down with Rob Cherof, Founder and President of Rocket Camp, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of agency talent, mentorship, and creativity in an AI-driven industry.

Drawing from decades of experience at some of advertising’s most iconic agencies — and his work developing young professionals through the 4A’s Institute for Advanced Advertising Studies — Rob shares why the industry’s obsession with efficiency may be coming at the expense of human growth. From hybrid work and the loss of apprenticeship culture to the importance of giving young talent “more at-bats,” Rob argues that agencies need to rethink how they train, nurture, and challenge the next generation.

We also explore Atlanta’s evolution into a major marketing hub, why interdisciplinary collaboration matters more than ever, and how AI can accelerate thinking without replacing the critical human skills that make great advertising possible.

On this episode of Agency Alchemy, we’re joined by Talia Arnold, Managing Partner at Exverus by Brainlabs, to unpack how the agency has navigated growth without losing the culture that made it successful in the first place.

Talia shares the founding philosophy behind Exverus, why Brainlabs felt like the right acquisition partner, and how both organizations aligned around shared values including strategic thinking, transparency, and human-centered innovation. The conversation also explores how Exverus is maintaining its indie spirit through remote flexibility, company traditions, collaborative leadership, and a radically candid internal culture.

We also dive into the agency’s approach to AI—not as a replacement for people, but as a tool that empowers teams to build smarter systems, automate workflows, and unlock new creative and operational possibilities.

As agency networks rethink how—and where—they operate, the traditional “London-first” model is starting to show its cracks.

On this episode of Agency Alchemy, Pete Coates, Managing Director of Omnicom Media Newcastle, breaks down what it really takes to build a modern agency footprint from the ground up—and why regional expansion today isn’t about geography, it’s about access: to talent, to clients, and to new ways of working.

Pete shares the strategic thinking behind launching Omnicom Media in Newcastle from scratch rather than through acquisition, and how that decision unlocked a first-mover advantage in an underserved market. But more importantly, he outlines how the team is reimagining the agency operating model itself—moving beyond outdated structures toward distributed, frictionless teams that prioritize both client outcomes and employee equity.

From tapping into new talent pipelines and building partnerships with universities, to designing interoperable teams that mirror increasingly distributed client organizations, this conversation explores what “going local” actually means in a global network—and why the future of agency growth may depend on getting that balance right.

In this episode of Agency Alchemy, we sit down with Justin Barnes, Executive Creative Director at VERSUS, to explore the fast-evolving intersection of brand storytelling and entertainment. From major collaborations with global players like Volkswagen and The Walt Disney Company to large-scale experiential and mixed-media campaigns, VERSUS is operating at the forefront of a new creative paradigm.

At the center of that shift is a concept Barnes calls “ownable originality”—the ability for brands to create culturally resonant work that feels both unmistakably unique and deeply authentic. But in a landscape flooded with content (and increasingly, AI-generated content), standing out requires more than just novelty—it demands taste, perspective, and a willingness to push beyond legacy thinking.

Barnes also unpacks how AI is actually being used inside a modern creative studio—not as a replacement for ideas, but as a tool to accelerate them. From rapid prototyping to streamlining production workflows, AI is helping teams get closer to the idea faster—without sacrificing the human craft that makes great storytelling stick.

The takeaway? As AI becomes table stakes, the real competitive edge isn’t speed—it’s story.

What if the most powerful marketing isn’t an ad at all—but the experience itself? On this episode, Josh Lane (COO) and Matt Ferebee (CCO) of FerebeeLane unpack how they’ve built their agency by flipping the traditional model on its head. Instead of starting with campaigns, they start with narrative—embedding brand thinking into everything from architecture and service training to textiles and guest interactions.

The result? A holistic, story-driven approach that resonates with affluent consumers who expect more than just messaging—they expect meaning.

Josh and Matt reveal what it really takes to build enduring, high-value brands in a world of infinite choice.

What does it take to build a nationally competitive agency from Portland, Maine — and keep it independent for 33 years?

On this episode of Agency Alchemy, Leeann Leahy, CEO of VIA, joins us to talk about ambition, employee ownership, AI as a “silent engine,” and why independence isn’t just a structure — it’s a strategic advantage.

Leeann shares how she stepped into the CEO role during a moment of agency transition, restructured VIA into interdisciplinary “pods,” and helped guide the firm through multiple Agency of the Year wins and, ultimately, an employee-owned ESOP model.

Private equity has reshaped agency land—but the story is more nuanced than headlines about roll-ups and margin pressure.

On this episode of Agency Alchemy, Scott Shamberg, CEO + President of Mile Marker, joins us to unpack what private equity actually gets right about the agency business—and where it sometimes misses the mark. Drawing on his experience inside holding companies and now leading a PE-backed independent, Scott explains why long-term vision beats short-term reporting cycles, why integration plans matter more than acquisition headlines, and how mid-market brands are quietly becoming the most dynamic opportunity in media.

We also explore:

• Why independent agencies are becoming a magnet for top talent

• How MileMarker merged traditional and digital into a “low-code, high-sophistication” model

• What agency leaders should ask before selling or partnering with private equity

• And how AI is being deployed to give strategists time back—not replace them

What actually defines great creative — and why has so much modern advertising lost its way?

In this episode of Agency Alchemy, we sit down with Ellis Verdi, co-founder of DeVito/Verdi, to unpack nearly 40 years of independent agency leadership, creative conviction, and cultural impact.

Ellis argues that while platforms, formats, and technologies continue to evolve, the core DNA of great creative work has not changed at all. From the danger of “silly” advertising that underestimates audiences, to the long-term damage caused by short-term performance thinking, this conversation cuts straight to the philosophical heart of modern agency challenges.