Please Advise...

In this episode of Please Advise…, 8AM Creative founder Sam Kimelman sits down with Eric Brown and Nora DiNuzzo, the powerhouse duo behind the consulting firm Blood, Sweat, and Tears. This one’s for agency founders and leaders who are tired of vague growth hacks and looking for real, hard-won advice on scaling smarter—not just bigger.

We dig into the biggest hurdles agencies face, from over reliance on a single client to undervaluing creative work, and how having the wrong strategy (or no strategy at all) can keep you stuck. Eric and Nora break down the different growth modes—stabilize, sustain, scale, or sell—and why knowing which one you’re in changes everything.

The conversation doesn’t shy away from the deeper stuff either: the role of founders as storytellers, the emotional drivers behind decision-making, and how AI is reshaping marketing and creativity—for better or worse.

If you’re building an agency, running a business, or just trying to keep up with the evolving marketing world, this episode is packed with sharp insights, practical advice, and the occasional tough love.

👉 Key Topics Discussed:
 • The risks of client concentration (and how to avoid them)
 • Strategy vs. tactics: why most agencies get it backwards
 • How to value and price creative work appropriately
 • When to stabilize, sustain, scale—or sell
 • The real role of founders in growth
 • AI’s growing role in content creation (and its limitations)
 • Why authenticity is still the most valuable brand currency

In this episode of Please Advise…, we sit down with Doug Zanger, founder of Indie Agency News, to discuss how independent agencies can carve out their space in an increasingly competitive industry. Doug shares his journey in launching Indie Agency News and its mission to provide visibility and support for indie agencies through community-driven content.

We dive into the importance of differentiation, empathetic storytelling, and collaboration among creatives. Doug breaks down why visibility—not just lead generation—is key for agency success and how embracing your unique strengths can help you stand out. The conversation also explores branding, consumer identity, and the role of nostalgia in shaping creative work.

If you’re an indie agency owner, creative professional, or just passionate about marketing and branding, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape.

👉 Key Topics Discussed:
 • Why independent agencies need a strong community
 • The role of empathy in content and branding
 • Differentiation strategies for indie agencies
 • The balance between confidence and humility in the industry
 • How nostalgia shapes creative identity
 • The intersection of branding, consumerism, and tribalism

🎥 Subscribe for more marketing and business insights.

🔗 Check out Indie Agency News: http://indieagency.news
🔗 Learn more about us: https://www.8amcreative.com

In this episode of Please Advise…, we sit down with Joe Namee, founder and CEO of SKU Performance Group, to uncover the secrets of navigating the fast-evolving distribution and retail space. Joe shares his journey, from starting his distribution business out of the trunk of a broken-down Ford Taurus to becoming a trusted broker helping brands break into major retailers.

We explore the power of data analytics and digital marketing, the rise of online shopping during the pandemic, and why premium in-store experiences still matter in a digital-first world. Joe dives deep into the challenges facing CPG startups, the impact of influencer marketing, and what it takes to engage customers in today’s competitive market. Plus, we tackle broader topics like Tesla’s innovation in car manufacturing, Redbox’s nostalgia-driven future, and - randomly - the importance of carrying Narcan.

If you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, or just fascinated by the changing consumer landscape, this episode is packed with insights to level up your strategy.

👉 Key Topics Discussed:
 • The evolving role of brokers in retail
 • The pressure on startups from big-box retailers
 • Crafting effective branding and packaging
 • Retail trends post-COVID-19
 • Why engaging your customers is key to success
 • Tesla, Redbox, and the future of innovation

🎥 Watch the full episode and subscribe for more actionable marketing and business advice!

Learn more about Joe and SKU Performance Group here:
https://ndsm1.com

For more insights and services, visit our site:
https://www.8amcreative.com

Navigating advertising during an election season can be tricky, with higher ad costs and increased sensitivity to public sentiment. In this episode, we sat down with Adam Ortman, founder of Kinetic319, to discuss how brands can maintain visibility and stay relevant while being mindful of these challenges.

Adam shares his insights on crafting creative, nimble campaigns that connect with audiences without stepping into political minefields. We also cover the rising costs of ad inventory during elections, the limitations on political advertising, and alternative channels that brands can leverage to reach their customers. From TikTok’s overstimulation videos to traditional media, we explore how different ad formats can drive results.

We also cover brand safety, the importance of staying authentic, what's going on with X.com (Twitter), and the potential implications of the Google ad tech monopoly trial on the future of search. 

Stay tuned for a rich discussion packed with practical takeaways for any brand preparing for election season and beyond.

Learn more about Adam and Kinetic319 here:
https://kinetic319.com

And you can ask him a question here:
https://ask-kinetic.com

For more insights and services, visit our site:
https://www.8amcreative.com

Crowdfunding presents a paradox for founders. You use it to raise your initial seed funding, but you also need to heavily promote it, which can be expensive in its own right.

We recently worked with Dave McNeeley and The Keeper's Hive to launch their product on Indiegogo. They raised more than double their goal.

While Dave, as our Operations Director, had plenty of access to our agency's resources, a big key to their success was how they spread the word among the beekeeping community.

Admittedly, we also ran a campaign on Meta that got a 7x return on ad spend. But the Indiegogo campaign had already met its goal by the time we started those.

I think this discussion will be helpful to anyone who's thinking about crowdfunding or launching any kind of product that appeals to any specific community or subculture.

This is our first episode, and we are making efforts to improve the production value.

You missed your chance to pick up a hive through their initial offering, but you can learn more about The Keeper's Hive here:
https://www.thekeepershive.com

And this is our website:
http://8amcreative.com