From global chemical corporations to Nashville's fastest-growing boutique agency, Paul Oakley has shaped how industries communicate, lead, and give back. In this episode, Paul—founder and CEO of Tiny Mighty Communications—shares his unexpected path from Dow Chemical and Bridgestone to launching his own firm focused on industrial B2B brands. He unpacks what "Tiny Mighty" really means, why experience matters more than headcount, and how measuring impact instead of activity redefines agency value.

Paul also opens up about mentorship, media responsibility, and why he's investing in the next generation's "right to speak." This is a deep dive into leadership, purpose, and the evolving role of PR in a data-driven, AI-aware world.

Timestamps: 00:49 — Paul Oakley's journey from Dow and Bridgestone to launching Tiny Mighty Communications 02:08 — How early lessons shaped his leadership philosophy and global mindset 09:30 — The leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship in 2019 12:21 — Building a senior-led agency model for industrial brands 16:45 — Why "Tiny Mighty" means delivering big thinking with small teams 23:07 — Measuring impact, not activity—how data drives modern communications 28:07 — Why free press and media integrity still matter in business 34:25 — Philanthropy, purpose, and the "Right to Speak" initiative 51:47 — "Your Rolodex is your net worth"—Paul's timeless advice for entrepreneurs

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Paul Oakley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauloakleytmc/ | https://tinymightyco.com Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

Organizations we support for a free press:

• Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
• Poynter Institute

Paul's current favorite podcast (besides The Spark):

• Mixed Signals from Semafor Media (https://www.semafor.com/hub/mixed-signals-media-podcast)