Agency

Gus Balbontin is an international keynote speaker, former Executive Director of Lonely Planet, and an insightful advisor to high-growth startups, joins us to share his extensive experience in guiding organizations through periods of significant change and fostering innovation.

This episode explores critical strategies for navigating evolving market landscapes, embracing discomfort, the importance of adopting new technologies, and the leadership principles essential for cultivating an adaptable and forward-thinking business culture.Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj Level up your agency with Wix Studio today: https://www.wix.com/studio

(00:00) Introduction Gus Balbontin on Change and Innovation(07:07) Innovation as Problem Solving(14:14) Listening First Testing Fast(21:21) The Value of Time and Curiosity(28:28) Judgment Creativity and Risk(35:35) Why Leaders Resist Change(42:42) The Power of Novelty in Business(49:49) Escaping Business as Usual(56:56) Innovation vs ROI(01:04:03) Balancing Structure and Creativity(01:11:10) Learning From Failure Fast(01:18:17) Lonely Planet Faces Irrelevance and Legacy Momentum

Richmond Dinh, the creator of the 'Tiny Challenges' method and founder of a multi-seven-figure coaching business, shares insights from helping over 1200 coaches build high-performing ventures. Richmond shares the landscape of sales, the enduring value of human connection and experience in an increasingly automated world. Expect to learn the crucial role of storytelling in communication and influence, the importance of niche down, and the psychological impact of various personal pitfalls on entrepreneurial success.

Marty Hungerford is the Chief Innovation Officer and founding partner at BRX, where he is redefining how creative agencies deliver value through technology, insight and craft. With over 25 years of experience building and guiding digital, creative and strategic teams. Marty has helped some of Australia’s most iconic brands, including Optus, Medibank, AGL and Australia Post. In this episode, we explore the future of creativity in the AI era, the power of taste and human instinct, and why embracing these tools is essential for staying relevant.Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj Level up your agency with Wix Studio today: https://www.wix.com/studio

(00:00) Introduction to AI’s Creative Disruption
 (06:52) Tools vs Taste in Modern Creativity
 (13:31) Unlocking AI as a Creative Superpower
 (20:10) Creativity Meets Commerce
 (26:45) Scaling Ideas with AI Tools
 (33:36) AI in Film, Content & Advertising
 (40:22) Ethics, IP, and Prompt Responsibility
 (47:00) Why AI Is Inevitable for Creatives
 (53:40) Taste Over Tenure in the AI Era
 (01:00:20) How AI Is Creating More Jobs
 (01:07:04) Emotion and the Soul of Creativity
 (01:13:58) The Future of AI-First Agencies

David Parsons is an award-winning expert in customer loyalty and the CEO of Ellipsis, a consultancy helping global brands like Audi, eBay, Visa, and Australia’s major banks drive growth through customer science. In this episode of The Agency Podcast, David breaks down the difference between emotional and behavioural loyalty, reveals why most brands misread what their customers really want, and shares how loyalty programs are evolving into powerful front-line brand strategies. A must-listen for anyone building customer relationships that last.

Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj Level up your agency with Wix Studio today: https://www.wix.com/studio

(00:00) Introduction
(08:23) Engaging Creatively with Influencers
(13:05) The Importance of Authenticity in Content
(24:29) The Evolution of Influencer Trends
(31:04) Addressing Challenges
(39:00) Building Influencer Networks
(44:19) The Transition to Product-Based Ventures
(50:41) Effective Branding
(53:26) Honesty and Transparency
(01:01:37) Navigating AI's Role
(01:08:06) The Emerging Role of Creativity
(01:12:43) Future Trends in Influencer Marketing

Bonnie Gillies is a seasoned beauty professional with over two decades of experience spanning fashion, film, and digital media. As the founder of the award-winning brand Basic By B, she’s built a loyal following by bridging the gap between expert knowledge and accessible beauty. In this episode, Bonnie reflects on the evolution of the industry, the rise of conscious consumerism, and the nuanced balance between education and influence. A thoughtful conversation on brand building, authenticity, and what it means to lead with substance in a saturated space.

Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj Level up your agency with Wix Studio today: https://www.wix.com/studio

(00:00) Introduction
(08:14) Engaging Creatively with Influencers
(13:51) The Importance of Authenticity in Content
(24:06) The Evolution of Influencer Trends
(30:15) Addressing Challenges
(36:32) Building Influencer Networks
(43:20) The Transition to Product-Based Ventures
(48:14) Effective Branding
(53:45) Honesty and Transparency
(01:01:01) Navigating AI's Role
(01:08:11) The Emerging Role of Creativity
(01:12:49) Future Trends in Influencer Marketing

Jaryd Terkelsen is the co-founder of Beforeyouspeak Coffee, one of Australia’s fastest-growing performance coffee brands. What started as a simple idea to enhance daily performance has evolved into a global movement, stocked in over 3,000 stores and backed by elite influencers, Formula 1, and rising motorsport talent Jack Doohan. In this episode of The Agency Podcast, Jaryd shares the real story behind building a functional coffee brand from scratch, the bold partnerships that shaped its growth, and the mindset required to scale in a billion-dollar industry.

Sophia Athas is the founder and creative director of Hatrik House, a creative studio shaping culture through design, content, and strategy. Known for fusing aesthetics with impact, she’s worked with brands like Sephora, Microsoft, Afterpay, Bumble and Butterboy to deliver campaigns that cut through.

In this episode of The Agency Podcast, Sophia shares how she built a studio driven by instinct, experimentation, and emotional intelligence and why creative control, cultural fluency, and staying uncomfortable are key to building work that actually matters.

Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj

Level up your agency with Wix Studio today: https://www.wix.com/studio

(00:00) Introduction
(07:48) Engaging Creatively with Influencers
(13:36) The Importance of Authenticity in Content
(24:04) The Evolution of Influencer Trends
(31:07) Addressing Challenges
(38:15) Building Influencer Networks
(44:50) The Transition to Product-Based Ventures
(50:42) Effective Branding
(54:36) Honesty and Transparency
(01:01:42) Navigating AI's Role
(01:07:59) The Emerging Role of Creativity
(01:12:44) Future Trends in Influencer Marketing

Steve Chapman is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Shine and Hyro, two game-changing beverage brands shaking up the energy and hydration markets. In this episode of The Agency Podcast, Steve shares his wild journey from being sued by Facebook to building brands stocked in thousands of stores. He unpacks what it truly means to be an entrepreneur, the mindset needed to bounce back from failure, and why building a business is about more than just profit. It’s about impact, growth, and purpose. A powerful episode packed with honest insights and uplifting lessons. 

Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj

Level up your agency with Wix Studio today: https://www.wix.com/studio  

(00:00) Introduction
(08:23) Engaging Creatively with Influencers
(13:05) The Importance of Authenticity in Content
(24:29) The Evolution of Influencer Trends
(31:04) Addressing Challenges
(39:00) Building Influencer Networks
(44:19) The Transition to Product-Based Ventures
(50:41) Effective Branding
(53:26) Honesty and Transparency
(01:01:37) Navigating AI's Role
(01:08:06) The Emerging Role of Creativity
(01:12:43) Future Trends in Influencer Marketing

Matt Jensen is the founder and CEO of M.J. Bale, one of Australia’s most successful menswear brands, with over 80 stores and $100 million in annual revenue. In this episode, Matt reveals how he built a legacy brand rooted in integrity, sustainability, and product obsession. He shares lessons on entrepreneurship, the harsh realities of scaling, and why putting Australian wool and craftsmanship on the global stage remains his mission.Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj Level up your agency with Wix Studio today: https://www.wix.com/studio

(00:00) Introduction
(07:38) The Foundations of Brand Building
(14:53) Navigating Business in Challenging Economies
(21:52) Hitting the Brick Wall
(29:06) Rebuilding Smarter After Failure
(36:12) Sustainability and the Cost of Doing Good
(43:13) Purpose, Legacy, and Local Supply Chains
(50:16) Creative Energy and Staying Resilient
(57:20) Expanding Internationally With Purpose
(01:04:25) Product Obsession and Family Business Values
(01:11:47) Competing Through Craft and Integrity
(01:19:10) The Future of Australian Fashion

Jack Henderson is a real estate entrepreneur with a $40 million personal property portfolio and founder of Henderson Advocacy, Endeavour Build, and Henderson Development. In this episode of The Agency Podcast, Jack unpacks the real reason people are stuck in today’s housing market, why victim mentality is holding Australians back, and how radical accountability, financial discipline, and long-term strategy can change your life—even if you’re starting with nothing.

Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj

Level up your agency with Wix Studio today: https://www.wix.com/studio

(00:00) Introduction
 (07:12) Early Hustle and Property Beginnings
 (14:23) The Truth About Wealth Creation
 (21:34) Victim Mentality and Reframing Challenges
 (28:45) Market Realities and Ownership Mindset
 (35:56) Getting Into the Game Early
 (43:07) Strategic Sacrifice and Long-Term Vision
 (50:18) Leveraging Debt to Build Wealth
 (57:29) Compound Growth and Asset Thinking
 (01:04:40) Mental Toughness and Entrepreneurship
 (01:11:51) Handling Setbacks and Staying the Course
 (01:19:02) Redefining Success in Property and Life