In this episode of Agency Download, marketing leader and Green Onion Creative founder Michele Tonkovitz joins me to explore what modern marketing leadership really looks like. We discuss Michele’s journey into the industry, the organic growth of her agency, and how strong relationships shape long-term success.

The conversation dives into agency culture, the role of past leadership experiences, and how AI is changing marketing workflows without replacing human creativity. Michele shares practical insights on messaging, content creation, and the evolution of video marketing in an increasingly crowded digital space.

Finally, the episode highlights the importance of self-care, personal growth, and community-building as essential components of sustainable leadership. Listeners will walk away with a people-first perspective on marketing, growth, and leading with intention in a rapidly evolving industry.

In Episode 9 of Agency Download, media veteran Rob Enright joins me to discuss the essential "watchdog" mentality required in modern advertising. We explore navigating the industry's evolution from traditional broadcast roots to today’s AI-driven landscape.

The discussion highlights why human oversight is critical as automation and self-serve platforms dominate media buying. Rob explains how to protect client budgets by prioritizing transparency and treating every ad dollar as if it were your own.

Finally, the episode breaks down opportunities in Connected TV and the keys to maintaining a thriving, virtual agency culture. Listeners will learn to balance high-tech tools with human-led strategy to stay ahead in a fragmented media world.

In Episode 8 of Agency Download, host James Williams joins marketing veteran Aaron Strout to explore a 30-year career built on mastering industry transitions. In the discussion, Aaron reveals how to spot the next horizon and turn technological disruption into a strategic advantage.

He highlights that while tools like AI evolve rapidly, foundational principles such as usability and storytelling remain the ultimate drivers of brand success. He advocates for a "human-led, technology-assisted" mindset to ensure that marketing stays authentic in an increasingly automated world.

The conversation also tackles the reality of managing risks and the importance of extreme ownership when facing the challenges of a fragmented media landscape. Listeners will gain actionable strategies for staying ahead of the curve while preserving the human element that makes communication meaningful.