How to Succeed By Ignoring Your Agency Advisor

<p>Are you questioning whether you should choose a niche? Do you know your why and your passion? Have you gotten some great agency advice but rather go with your gut? Sometimes you just have to disregard the advice in front of you and answer to your true purpose in order to succeed. Even if it means ignoring your agency advisor.</p> <p>In this episode, we'll cover:</p> <ul> <li>How can an agency survive an owner's personal tragedy?</li> <li>When is ignoring your agency advisor OK to do?</li> <li>Is it time for an agency rebrand?</li> <li>Does your agency have Clark Griswold complex?</li> </ul> <p>This week, I had the opportunity to chat with Brantley Payne, Partner/Creative Director at <a href="https://uncommon.us/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Uncommon</a> a rebranded version of the agency where he started his career in 1999. Over time and a series of life-altering events, Brantley’s role at the agency evolved from art director to copywriter to creative director and eventually owner. He’s on the show to share what he’s learned about finding the agency’s North Star and why he chose to totally ignore his agency advisor’s advice. (Don’t worry, the advisor wasn’t me!)</p> <h2>How Can an Agency Survive an Owner's Personal Tragedy?</h2> <p>In 2010, after 11 years at the (then) Glass Agency, Brantley was doing well in his creative positions but then thrown into something completely different and unique. The agency owner was diagnosed with a terminal illness and part of his legacy plans. Do you have a <a href="https://jasonswenk.com/illness-injury-death/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">plan in place for serious injury, illness, or death</a>?</p> <p>At the onset of his illness, the owner set a plan in motion for the agency to put into a trust and become an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan). The heads of Media, Accounts, and Creative (that’s Brantley) were to lead the daily operations of the agency. So they had all the responsibility, but just equal share of the rewards.</p> <p><strong>How did the agency survive an