Clarity as the Catalyst for New Momentum and Agency Growth with Ed East | Ep #739

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Have you ever felt like abandoning your agency? Overwhelmed or insecure about the direction the agency is headed? If so, you're not alone. At some point, we all face moments of doubt and struggle to keep momentum. Today’s guest is an agency owner who built his business over the past ten years. He recently experienced a downturn that led him to question whether he still enjoyed the work. It was a solid business plan and clear vision that helped him get the agency back on track. Learn more about why he needed clarity and communication to get his confidence back and what excites him about the new developments of generative AI and how it’s changing advertising.

Ed East is the founder of influencer marketing agency Billion Dollar Boy. He shares his journey into the agency world, creating a database connecting blogs with brands and agencies. Ed also discusses the low point that made him question his commitment to the agency, the realization that helped him rebuild his confidence, and the new tech that is already revolutionizing advertising and brand-audience connections.

In this episode, we’ll discuss:

• How clarity builds new momentum for agency growth.

• Leveraging generative AI to elevate the creative process.

• How agencies can use creator advertising.

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Turning a College Hobby Into a Legitimate Agency

Although he’s an accidental agency owner, Ed was always keen on starting a business which is why he took his first entrepreneurial steps during university. Back then, he started a blog with some friends focused on lifestyle, music, and sports that quickly got up to 50,000 views a month. However, they soon realized that page views alone weren't enough to generate an income.

Luckily, with so many views it was just a matter of time before they started to get offers to promote brands on the blog. This development led to a new idea: building a database where agencies and brands could find the right blogs to place their ads. As they worked on that database, YouTube and Instagram started to surge as a new way to advertise content. This changed the plan a bit; it wouldn’t be a database just for blogs but also include social media accounts.

How Clarity Builds New Momentum for Agency Growth

Over the past decade, Ed's journey in the agency world has been a rollercoaster of experiences, teaching him valuable lessons about perseverance and adaptability. Reflecting on his original business plan, he's come to appreciate the importance of balancing a clear vision with the flexibility to navigate unexpected paths.

Interestingly, he has only recently questioned his commitment to the business. Although the thought of giving up has never crossed his mind, Ed did start to question the enjoyment he got from the work he was doing.

The catalyst for this soul-searching was the challenging economic climate, which saw marketing budgets slashed. This has added a lot of pressure to agencies that saw their growth slow down while client expectations rose.

It all took a positive turn once Ed created a well-defined plan and shared it transparently with his team. And even though the agency is not out of the woods yet Ed's renewed sense of purpose and his team's alignment have positioned the agency to face the future with confidence.

When all team members understand the agency’s overarching goals and their roles in achieving them, they are more likely to feel empowered and energized. This newfound confidence can lead to innovative solutions and a more robust pipeline of opportunities. Ultimately, clarity acts as a catalyst for action. Without it, you won’t be able to build a strategy that you’ll follow to success.

Leveraging Generative AI to Elevate the Creative Process

Being in influencer marketing, Ed has seen the integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) emerge as a transformative force. Although very new this use of AI can work very well when done correctly and is reshaping the creative collaboration paradigm. This technology not only streamlines creative processes but also enhances collaboration between brands and creators, leading to innovative and impactful campaigns.

One of the most striking revelations from his experiences is the shift in perception regarding the role of Gen AI in creative campaigns. Traditionally, brands viewed Gen AI as an add-on—a supplementary tool to enhance existing creative strategies. However, Ed sees the response from brands during presentations led by his CMO are markedly different. Brands expressed a desire to leverage Gen AI as a core component of their creative vision, allowing it to drive the lead creative piece of their campaigns. This shift signifies a broader understanding of Gen AI's potential to elevate the creative process rather than merely augment it.

Redefining the Brand-Audience Connection

The landscape of advertising is undergoing a profound transformation. Ed believes creator advertising, powered by generative AI, is at the forefront of this revolution. This shift represents more than just a passing trend; it's a fundamental reimagining of how brands connect with their audiences in an increasingly competitive digital marketplace.

Creator advertising places creators at the center of marketing strategies. Traditionally, advertising has been structured around established media channels, such as television and print, where brands dictate the narrative. However, the landscape has shifted dramatically with the rise of social media and digital platforms, where creators wield substantial influence and have cultivated dedicated followings. This shift necessitates a rethinking of how brands engage with their audiences, leading to the adoption of creator-led advertising strategies.

Agencies are now hiring creative strategists and media planners from various backgrounds—especially those with experience in traditional advertising—to work alongside influencer marketing teams. This collaborative approach allows for the repurposing of content across multiple channels, extending the reach and impact of creator-driven campaigns. As we look to the future, the evolution of creator advertising is poised to redefine the marketing landscape.

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