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Social Pulse Podcast: Agency Edition

Social Pulse Podcast: Agency Edition

By: Mike Allton
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 Social Pulse Podcast: Agency Edition is your go-to guide to solving your biggest marketing agency challenges - authentically. Join award-winning marketer Mike Allton as he peels back the curtain with marketing agency owners just like you, unveils the issues they've been struggling with the most, and explores how they've overcome those challenges. Each episode is an honest and frank look at what agencies go through - from churning clients to tackling tech - and ideas that you can apply to your own business. Whether you're five months or five years in, Social Pulse Podcast: Agency Edition will help you expand your knowledge, address your challenges, and scale your agency in the years to come. Ready to scale up? Then it's time to sign up. Subscribe today. Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution trusted by over 3,000 agencies. Learn more at www.Agorapulse.com. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton2024-present Economics Management Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: How One Agency CEO Transformed Employee Retention

    Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: How One Agency CEO Transformed Employee Retention
    Nov 25 2025
    Every agency owner knows the feeling – you've invested countless hours training a talented team member, only to watch them walk out the door six months later. Then, clients start to question why they're working with their third account manager this year. The cycle of hiring, training, and losing people doesn't just drain your bank account – it crushes morale and makes sustainable growth feel impossible. When turnover becomes your agency's defining feature, something fundamental is broken. But what if your culture problem is actually your biggest opportunity? Today we're joined by Joe Giovannoli, founder and CEO of 9Sail, a New Jersey search marketing agency specializing in SEO and PPC for law firms and construction companies. Since founding 9Sail in 2015, Joe has transformed his agency from struggling with high turnover to building a values-driven workplace where transparency, accountability, and data-driven expertise aren't just slogans – they're competitive advantages. Joe's journey from facing constant retention challenges to creating a culture that both clients and employees won't leave offers valuable lessons for any agency owner feeling stuck in the revolving door syndrome. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Joe Giovannoli about: ⭐ How focusing on culture creates a measurable competitive advantage that directly impacts client retention and agency profitability. ⭐ Practical ways to implement values like transparency and accountability that transform employee experience and reduce turnover. ⭐ Specific systems for properly assessing bandwidth needs and setting clear expectations that prevent burnout while maintaining high performance. Learn more about Joe Giovannoli Connect with Joe Giovannoli on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode 9Sail Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo How to Structure Your Agency to Win Using EOS Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business Culture Index Dana Corporation Ford Chrysler GM Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/agency-edition/culture-eats-strategy-for-breakfast-how-one-agency-ceo-transformed-employee-retention Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.
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    30 mins
  • How AdParlor Turned Market Challenges Into Strategic Advantage

    How AdParlor Turned Market Challenges Into Strategic Advantage
    Sep 29 2025
    Are you struggling to differentiate your agency in an increasingly competitive market? When established strategies stop working and larger competitors seem to win all the best clients, do you stick with what you know or make a bold pivot? For agency owners, recognizing when to transform your business model isn't just about survival—it's about turning market challenges into a genuine strategic advantage. Today, we're joined by Kristina Coughlin, General Manager of AdParlor, who led her agency through a remarkable transformation from traditional paid media to creator-led marketing. With 16 years of experience scaling 7- and 8-figure marketing programs for startups and Fortune 100 companies alike, Kristina brings practical insights on executing strategic pivots that drive both client results and agency growth. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Kristina Coughlin about: ⭐ Market Sensitivity: The importance of actively monitoring industry trends and competitive landscapes to identify when a strategic pivot is necessary before it becomes urgent. ⭐ Transformation Leadership: Practical insights for leading an agency through a significant business model transformation while maintaining team cohesion and client confidence. ⭐ Strategic Differentiation: How identifying emerging trends (like creator-led marketing) can help agencies escape commoditization and establish distinctive value propositions that drive both client results and agency growth. Learn more about Kristina Coughlin Connect with Kristina Coughlin on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode AdParlor Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo Fluent Best Buy The Social Listening Goldmine: How Smart Brands Mine Conversations for Revenue Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/agency-edition/how-adparlor-turned-market-challenges-into-strategic-advantage Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.
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    33 mins
  • The Control Paradox: Why Letting Go Grows Your Agency Faster

    The Control Paradox: Why Letting Go Grows Your Agency Faster
    Sep 5 2025
    Every agency owner knows the feeling – that pit in your stomach when you hand off an important client project to a team member. What if they miss something crucial? What if the client isn't happy? What if this reflects poorly on the reputation you've worked years to build? So you hover, you revise, you redo work that was perfectly fine, and you convince yourself that "it's just easier if I do it myself." But here's the brutal truth: this need for control isn't protecting your agency – it's strangling it. When you're the bottleneck for every decision, every deliverable, and every client interaction, you're not running an agency; you're running an expensive freelance operation with overhead. That's where our guest today comes in to help. Amy Rosenberg is the president of Veracity, a marketing and PR agency she founded in 2008, and she's been recognized as a "Top Woman in PR" by PR News. Amy learned PR from the ground up – working her way from intern to management before starting her own firm – so she understands both sides of this equation intimately. She's the author of two award-winning books including "A Practical Guide to Public Relations for Businesses, Nonprofits and PR Leaders," and more importantly for our conversation today, she's mastered the art of building a team she can trust with her reputation and her clients' success. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Amy Rosenberg about: ⭐ Control is the enemy of scale – Agency owners must recognize that their need to personally touch every project creates an artificial ceiling on growth and team development. ⭐ Trust is built through systems, not hope – Successful delegation requires establishing clear processes, quality checkpoints, and communication frameworks before letting go of direct oversight. ⭐ The right team changes everything – Hiring people who genuinely care about quality and client success makes the transition from control to trust not just possible, but profitable. Learn more about Amy Rosenberg Connect with Amy Rosenberg on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Veracity Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo Use code PODCAST, or this link, on Amy's Shopify page to get $5 off the print version of A Practical Guide to Public Relations. Even with shipping fees, your total is still less than the Amazon price — and buying direct supports an indie author and small business. Amy Rosenberg Named One of PR News’ “Top Women in PR” A Practical Guide to Public Relations for Businesses, Nonprofits and PR Leaders: Including: SEO, AI, Content Marketing, Social Media & Thought Leadership The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich Upwork Google Docs Stephen King Gong Muck Rack New York Times Fiverr Connect with Paschal James if you’re looking for an experienced VA (podcast support, digital tasks, and more) Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/agency-edition/the-control-paradox-why-letting-go-grows-your-agency-faster Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.
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    35 mins
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