In this episode of Pebble Presents, I talk with Eric Dunn, co-founder and executive director of Here Be Dragons, about creative independence and what it reveals about where the industry is heading. We dig into why consolidation creates opportunity for micro agencies, how independent shops are collaborating rather than competing, and what it takes — on both the agency and client side — to do work that actually holds up.

Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. With decades of experience in global brand planning, strategy, and research, Pebble has helped shape businesses of all kinds, from ambitious start-ups to global Fortune 100 companies. 

Eric Dunn is the co-founder and executive director of Here Be Dragons, a San Francisco-based creative agency. Over 25 years, he's worked with clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies to the U.S. government, earning a reputation as what he calls "a zealot for creatively driven brands." Here Be Dragons has created work like "Shoulda' Been There" for Improv Comedy Clubs — the club's first brand campaign in its 60-year history. He is one of the clearer, more honest voices I've encountered on what's actually happening in the creative industry right now.

Welcome to Pebble Presents.

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References

• Eric Dunn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/here-be-dragons
• Here Be Dragons website: https://www.hbdagency.com

Show Notes 

0:28 - Emelia introduces today’s special guest and topic

3:32 - Eric shares how he got into advertising and creative work

6:04 - Eric on the founding of Here Be Dragons

11:21 - Eric and Ken's early conversations about what Here Be Dragons would stand for

13:36 - Emelia and Eric discuss agency consolidation and what it means for independent shops

21:27 - Eric shares what clients want that large agencies can't deliver — and what makes a strong client partner for an independent agency.

34:21 - How the collaborative micro-agency model works at Here Be Dragons

42:23 - The business reality: how independent agencies make the economics work

45:52 - Eric and Emelia discuss the talent and mentorship crisis: what's been lost and what's at stake

57:07 - What AI still can't do.

59:20 - What Eric is optimistic about for the future of the creative industry

1:01:57 - Emelia wraps up the episode