The Agency Hackers Podcast

Agency growth isn't as simple as it used to be.

In this episode, Ian and Becky discuss why so many marketing agencies are struggling to win new business in 2026, why client buying decisions have slowed dramatically, and how agency owners can adapt.

From committee-led decision-making and shrinking marketing budgets to the importance of relationships over automation, they explore what's really happening in the agency world and where the biggest opportunities still exist.

In this episode:

• Why marketing budgets are taking longer to get approved
• The biggest bottlenecks holding agencies back
• Whether agencies should still target CMOs
• Why relationships beat automation every time
• Building communities that create long-term growth
• Breaking down silos inside agency teams
• Lessons from events, networking and growing an agency in uncertain times

If you're an agency owner, founder or marketing leader looking to grow your business, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical advice.

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss a new episode.

💬 We'd love to hear from you in the comments: What's the biggest challenge your agency is facing right now?

#AgencyGrowth #MarketingAgency #AgencyOwners #BusinessGrowth #MarketingStrategy #AgencyLife #NewBusiness #ClientAcquisition #entrepreneurship

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What happens when a single unopened letter can shut down your business overnight?

In this episode of Agency Hackers, we discuss the surprising admin mistakes that can cause major problems for agency owners, from bank account closures and passport disasters to fines, scams, and overlooked business tasks. We also explore why more agencies are building their own software, how AI is transforming service businesses, and whether the future of agencies lies in becoming product companies.

We cover:

- The business admin mistakes that can cause serious damage

- Why agencies are creating their own AI-powered tools

- The rise of "service as software"

- Harvest's controversial pricing changes

- South by Southwest, Cannes, and the future of industry events

- AI scams targeting agencies

- Public speaking, conference talks, and how to prepare properly

- Creating events with real gravitational pull

Whether you're an agency owner, founder, marketer, or consultant, this episode is packed with practical lessons, industry insights, and honest conversations about building a modern agency in 2026.

#agencyowner #aiforbusiness #marketingagency #entrepreneurship #businessgrowth #agencylife #artificialintelligence #digitalmarketing #leadership

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This episode goes completely off the rails 😭

We cover:

- The agency pitch disaster that accidentally opened a porn site in front of a client

- Why Miami agency events are VERY different to Ibiza

- The bizarre WPP “bomb threat” culture simulation

- British vs American agency culture

- AI tools taking over agencies… and apparently choosing blackmail when threatened 👀

- Why founders are still the ones pushing AI adoption

The truth about agency culture, hybrid work, and team morale

Plus: hookers at the Agency Hackers Miami afterparty, competitor outreach tactics that actually win clients, and why “bring back graft” might be the best sales advice of 2026.

Absolute chaos from start to finish.

💥 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and buckle up this is just the beginning.

#agencylife #agency #hackers #podcast #peopletalk

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On this episode, we get real about the stuff most agencies avoid.

We talk ADHD diagnoses and what it’s actually like being on meds (yes… it basically felt like micro dosing at first), burnout, and why looking after yourself is the foundation of doing good work.

Then we get into the big one vision.

Why it feels cringe, why most companies fake it… and why you eventually hit a wall without it.

We break down:

- Why agency events (and ideas) lose momentum after a few years

- The difference between tactics vs actual strategy

- Why most “values” are just words on a wall

- And how to actually prove them (not just say them)

- Why the best case studies might be the ones where things went wrong

Plus: chaos at events, smelling salts on podcasts, and the reality of trying to build something that actually matters.

💥 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and buckle up this is just the beginning.

#agencylife #agency #hackers #podcast #peopletalk

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What actually happens behind the scenes in an agency?

In this episode of the podcast, we dive into the reality of running an agency the chaos, the lessons, and the funny stories that come with it.

We also unpack one of the hardest challenges for growing agencies: hiring the right salesperson. What makes a great sales hire? Why do so many agencies get it wrong? And why chemistry with the business matters more than a perfect CV.

Expect honest conversations, practical insights, and a few outrageous agency stories along the way.

💥 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and buckle up—this is just the beginning.

#agencylife #agency #hackers #podcast #peopletalk

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Ian and Becky spill the tea on everything agencies are whispering… but never admit out loud.

From AI chaos and bad SEO fails, to pitch nerves, LinkedIn nonsense, and the truth about building “high agency” teams—this episode is raw, real, and brutally honest. No fluff, no fake thought leadership—just the stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

💥 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and buckle up—this is just the beginning.

More insider chaos coming soon!

#agencylife #agency #hackers #podcast #peopletalk

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In this special episode of the Agency Hackers Podcast, Ian and Sophie delve into the delegate feedback from the Ibiza Super Summit 2024.

What did we do well? What went horribly wrong?

Hear for yourself...👀

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Do we moan too much about juniors? Why CAN'T they make a simple phone call? These are the questions Ian and Sophie grapple with as they react to the feedback from our Happy Clients conference.

Thanks to our sponsor The Qube – the world's first members' studio for musicians, podcasters and content creators. A sanctuary for London's inspired creators. https://www.theqube.com

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Uh oh, Ian's made some enemies... on TikTok. But not to worry, because in the rest of this episode we'll be getting into how the Ibiza Super Summit came to be. We'll also be roasting some holiday themed LinkedIn posts, as well as covering some Calendly controversy (this time with an all new jingle).

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

01:01 - TikTok hates Ian

03:00 - Roast the Post (Part 1)

08:17 - When do you tell your team your ideas?

12:54 - How the Agency Hackers team found out about Ibiza

14:47 - Agency founders & finding the time for a holiday

17:03 - Ibiza evenings

19:57 - Ibiza is becoming upmarket?

23:00 - The boat

26:38 - The meaning of being a community

32:06 - Roast the Post (Part 2)

39:03 - Outro

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Fresh off Agency Hackers’ AI conference, The Robots Are Coming, in July, Ian & Soph prepare to take on feedback from the attendees. Most of the negative feedback? The coffee wasn’t up to standard, apparently. 

Soph also pitches some of her very own AI tool ideas (tech investors, we’re waiting).

They’ll also be:

• Poking fun at a bizarre LinkedIn post from one of the site’s most notable masters of cheese.
• Delving into some of Ian’s toxic thoughts about being introverted.
• Getting to the heart of what it’s like to be a neurodivergent person.
• Showcasing the branding for Agency Forecast, which will take place at the House of Lords.

Chapters

00:17 – Roast the Post

09:53 – The Robots Are Coming feedback

19:48 – How Soph uses AI

27:30 – ImpressMyBoss.ai 

28:37 – Ian’s Toxic Thoughts

36:50 – Being neurodivergent

42:41 – Inhouse Scoop – we have our US trademark!

46:52 – Agency Forecast

57:18 – Soph’s nicknames for people

59:21 – Outro 

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