Today’s guest – for our 50th episode! – is Haley Hunter, Co-Founder of Party Land – proudly known as comedy’s greatest ad agency. In this lively conversation, Haley unpacks how humour has become a strategic superpower, not just a punchline.

She shares how Party Land went from convincing clients that comedy belonged in advertising to being the go-to agency for those wanting to master it – not least Liquid Death. Haley also dives into the neuroscience behind laughter, explaining how it primes audiences for connection and recall.

Beyond the creative side, she reveals how empathy, autonomy and trust fuel Party Land’s remote office set-up – and why comedy is as much about mindset as it is about craft.

It’s an inspiring lesson in leading with conviction, creating a new category and finding joy in the serious business of marketing.

HIGHLIGHTS:

[01:57] Funny as a superpower

[04:05] Making the case for comedy

[11:08] Owning creative outcomes

[13:17] The art of pushing just enough

[16:23] Authenticity at work

[17:46] Freedom and liberation

[25:11] Finding the right people

[29:51] Behind the laughter

[33:29] The biggest risk in advertising

[38:23] Leading with joy and conviction

MORE ABOUT HALEY:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hihaleyhunter

Website: partyland.co

HOST SOCIALS:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robinbonn

Twitter: twitter.com/robonn

MORE ABOUT CO:DEFINERY:

Site: codefinery.com

Book: Market of One

Mentioned in this episode:

Market of One

 If you are a fan of this podcast, then you'll love my new book Market of One, how Your Agency can rewrite the Rules and create a lasting competitive advantage. Sharing my experience, repositioning close to 150 agencies over the last decade. Key Highlights: - Insights from repositioning 150+ agencies - Expert contributions from industry leaders Greg Hahn, Rory Sutherland, and Nils Leonard - Strategies for deeper differentiation and increased profitability Learn how to stand out, win more business, and command premium rates. Don't miss this opportunity! Visit marketofone.agency now and unlock your agency's potential.

Market Of One Landing Page

In a first for the show, today we have not one but two guests – Jaime Robinson and Lisa Clunie, co-founders of the creative agency JOAN, born in NYC and now smashing it in London and Berlin too.

Jaime and Lisa reveal how they’re blending the rigour of classic brand building with the pace and energy of modern culture. They share why they believe now is a golden age of creativity, how disruption is reshaping the talent model and what it means to modernise brands.

You’ll hear their take on what makes a great client–agency fit, why conviction matters more than buzzwords, and how AI and reverse mentorship could define the next generation of creative leaders. It’s an authentic, optimistic conversation that captures the spirit of JOAN: bold, human and unapologetically modern.

HIGHLIGHTS:

[02:04] Joan's legendary beginnings

[06:56] Building timeless brands

[09:27] Firing clients that don’t fit

[13:59] Audience-first creativity in action

[16:17] Into a golden age

[19:21] An alchemy of strengths

[24:33] Wisdom meets the machine

[26:03] The power of shared mentorship

[30:36] Pitches as creative playgrounds

[34:18] A new industrial revolution

MORE ABOUT JAIME & LISA:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hellojaimerobinson

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisaclunie

Website: joancreative.com

HOST SOCIALS:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robinbonn

Twitter: twitter.com/robonn

MORE ABOUT CO:DEFINERY:

Site: codefinery.com

Book: Market of One

Mentioned in this episode:

Market of One

 If you are a fan of this podcast, then you'll love my new book Market of One, how Your Agency can rewrite the Rules and create a lasting competitive advantage. Sharing my experience, repositioning close to 150 agencies over the last decade. Key Highlights: - Insights from repositioning 150+ agencies - Expert contributions from industry leaders Greg Hahn, Rory Sutherland, and Nils Leonard - Strategies for deeper differentiation and increased profitability Learn how to stand out, win more business, and command premium rates. Don't miss this opportunity! Visit marketofone.agency now and unlock your agency's potential.

Market Of One Landing Page

Today’s guest is Andrew Swinand, CEO of Inspired Thinking Group, a PE-backed and AI-enabled content business that is scaling faster than most in our industry. With two decades at Publicis, including running Leo Burnett and leading creative in the US, Andrew brings a rare dual perspective on both the creative and operational sides of the business.

He shares why the HoldCo.s are trapped in the classic Innovator’s Dilemma and how AI is reshaping the economics of content production. But far from AI replacing creativity, Andrew explains why operational AI is actually paving the way for a new creative renaissance.

From automating tens of thousands of assets, to rethinking how talent and technology combine, Andrew cuts through the noise to offer a clear view of the pressures and possibilities facing agencies today.

HIGHLIGHTS

[01:54] Taking the entrepreneurial path

[04:32] Why AI won’t replace creativity

[07:53] Blockers to agency innovation

[13:37] Delivering scale and speed

[17:53] Fear, uncertainty and hype

[23:46] Generative AI's real limits

[25:18] A new creative renaissance

[30:48] Leading with honesty

[32:37] Embracing humanity

MORE ABOUT ANDREW:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewswinand

Website: inspiredthinking.group

HOST SOCIALS:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robinbonn

Twitter: twitter.com/robonn

MORE ABOUT CO:DEFINERY:

Site: codefinery.com

Book: Market of One

Today’s guest is John Harris, President & CEO of Worldwide Partners Inc. With nearly a decade leading the world’s most collaborative network of independent agencies – and a prior career inside holding companies – he brings a rare balance to one of the industry’s most polarised debates.

John explains indies’ undoubted ‘moment’, but also recognises the unique strengths of the holding company model. From global media buying muscle to the power of local market fluency, John unpacks where each approach adds value to clients.

Along the way, he shares how CMOs are regaining influence in the boardroom, why collaboration can’t be mandated and how AI is reshaping agency models. Optimistic, practical and refreshingly honest, John offers genuine insight for agencies of all sizes.

HIGHLIGHTS:

[02:17] Why ‘indies vs. HoldCo.s’ isn’t helpful

[06:29] The impact of local knowledge

[10:46] Combining access, flexibility and partnership

[17:31] Proof points over promises

[19:27] From a moment to a movement

[22:32] Collaboration over scale

[27:47] Don't mess with culture

[30:00] Disrupting production and pricing

[33:49] Rise of the CMO

[36:30] What clients rarely admit

MORE ABOUT JOHN:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/netharris

Website: worldwidepartners.com

HOST SOCIALS:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robinbonn

Twitter: twitter.com/robonn

MORE ABOUT CO:DEFINERY:

Site: codefinery.com

Book: Market of One

Today’s guest is the incomparable Karen Martin, CEO of BBH London and Dublin, and President of the IPA. Known for her infectious optimism, Karen brings a fresh perspective to how agencies can thrive in uncertain times.

For her, positivity is more than just a nice-to-have – it’s a business imperative that lifts entire industries. Karen also argues that the sector is in better shape than many fear, and urges agency leaders to celebrate each other’s success more often.

Karen also dives into the importance of attracting diverse new talent, why AI should be embraced rather than feared, and how BBH’s famous ‘Barn’ programme is helping the next generation of creatives cut their teeth.

Along the way, she explains why she believes creativity will always be the industry’s most powerful commercial tool, and how BBH has maintained its stellar reputation for so long.

HIGHLIGHTS

[02:10] How energy fuels creativity

[06:36] Fresh talent finds a way

[10:22] Diversity unearths sharper insights

[13:09] People vs AI

[14:55] Earning a premium for critical thinking

[17:56] Driving business impact

[25:01] Partnerships formed through crisis

[31:24] Creating timeless platforms

[35:55] The value of competition

[39:49] Breaking the rules

MORE ABOUT KAREN:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karen-martin

Website: bartleboglehegarty.com

BBH Barn: bartleboglehegarty.com/barn2025

HOST SOCIALS:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robinbonn

Twitter: twitter.com/robonn

MORE ABOUT CO:DEFINERY:

Site: codefinery.com

Book: Market of One

Today’s guest is Guy Wieynk, Global CEO of AnalogFolk Group. This conversation is a masterclass in the business of creativity. With 17 years at AKQA, followed by a European CEO at Publicis, Guy knows how to blend scale with agility.

He unpacks the shift from big ideas to ‘open ideas’, and why connecting brands to culture isn’t optional but essential. From productising services to evolving pricing models, Guy shows how agencies can deliver speed and value at scale – without sacrificing creativity.

He also shares how he balances his role as Group CEO with the vision of AnalogFolk’s founders, who still play an active role in the business.

If you’re curious about taking your clients on a journey towards new ways of working, this episode is full of real world insights.

HIGHLIGHTS:

[03:04] Inside AnalogFolk’s strategy

[04:34] Lessons from AKQA and Publicis

[09:15] From hamster wheel to blank canvas

[14:19] The explosion of personalised content

[19:54] Defining a brand’s place in culture

[21:12] From campaigns to ecosystems

[26:43] Balancing hours, sprints and licensing models

[27:51] Taking conservative clients on a journey

[28:23] Model clients actually want

[35:45] How agility defines the future

MORE ABOUT GUY:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/guywieynk

Website: analogfolk.com

HOST SOCIALS:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robinbonn

Twitter: twitter.com/robonn

MORE ABOUT CO:DEFINERY:

Site: codefinery.com

Book: Market of One

Today’s guest is Dimi Albers, CEO of Dept – one of the new breed of fast-growth PE-backed agency groups. And if you think rapid scaling comes at the cost of culture, this conversation will prove you wrong.

Dimi shares how Dept has grown from 120 people in the Netherlands to more than 4,000 across 20+ countries – all while maintaining a unique ownership model with nearly 200 equity partners. He explains why having skin in the game creates deeper client relationships and a stronger sense of entrepreneurship across the business.

We explore the realities of working with private equity, from ideal investor relationships, to why due diligence matters goes well beyond spreadsheets. Dimi also reflects on talent – what younger generations really want, how to create belonging in a hybrid world, and why 20% churn is actually healthy.

Finally, he offers supreme optimism on AI – far from a job-killer, it’s the next big growth driver for agencies bold enough to embrace it.

HIGHLIGHTS:

[06:21] Dept’s unusual ownership model

[08:16] Retention as a cultural strength

[10:16] Shifting generational expectations

[18:05] Nuance in DEI

[25:04] Doing due diligence on your investors

[30:32] The realities of competing for clients

[34:11] Battling in crowded markets

[40:44] AI as an engine of prosperity

MORE ABOUT DIMI:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dimialbers

Website: deptagency.com

HOST SOCIALS:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robinbonn

Twitter: twitter.com/robonn

MORE ABOUT CO:DEFINERY:

Site: codefinery.com

Book: Market of One

Today’s guest is Mark Figliulo, Founder and Creative Chairman at FIG – and if you’re worried about AI’s impact on creativity, then you’ll enjoy his proactive optimism.

From working with legends like Lee Clow to launching one of New York’s most respected indies, Mark’s on a mission to keep creativity relevant – not least by cutting through our industry's obsession with this brand versus performance.

He explains how his team built StoryData – an AI-powered tool that measures and maps the emotional and visual DNA of campaigns. It proves their work is distinctive, emotional and on-brand, as well as reuniting creative and media, protecting the craft and making sure the brand story stays consistent from start to finish.

At a time of huge disruption, Mark offers a refreshing and practical take on making technology work for creativity – not against it.

HIGHLIGHTS

[02:14] Being a reluctant optimist

[04:05] How brands thrive in digital

[09:12] Being storytellers for the information age

[13:21] Data vs creatives

[18:09] Automating creative analysis

[26:39] How silos weaken brands

[30:35] Data as creative stimulus

[35:28] The future of AI and creativity

MORE ABOUT MARK:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mark-figliulo

Website: figagency.com

HOST SOCIALS:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robinbonn

Twitter: twitter.com/robonn

MORE ABOUT CO:DEFINERY:

codefinery.com

Market of One