3rd September 2024

How AI is changing the agency business model

Chris Johnson on the commercial implications of AI adoption

Episode 12

Chris Johnson

CEO, TomorrowToday

Having touched on the omnipresent topic that is AI in pretty much every episode, this time we dive right in. Our guest is Chris Johnson, Founder and CEO of the AI consultancy, TomorrowToday. 

And wow, does he give value for money. While much of the industry discourse around AI centres on creative tools and ideation speed, Chris is focused on commercial application. 

Our conversation starts with him sharing detailed advice on how agencies can reinvent their pitch process using commonly available AI tools. From simple efficiencies, to the creation of synthetic target audiences – and even synthetic clients! – he describes how you can proactively improve not just your ideas, but also how well they land. 

Chris also shares his experience of the challenges associated with getting agency teams on board with wholesale adoption of new tools and technologies. 

We wrap the episode by looking forward – exploring how AI will inevitably impact the way that agencies sell, price and make money. 

This is such a valuable conversation. As well as honesty, humour and pragmatism, Chris brings plenty of clarity – not least on what AI can’t do, as well as how these emerging tools can help you generate real commercial impact. 

Highlights:  

[01:41] How Chris first blew my mind

[02:51] Reinventing your pitch process with AI

[05:50] How synthetic audiences can improve your ideas

[10:00] Creating an AI version of what your clients care about

[15.30] Creating commercial value with AI tools

[18.25] How agency adoption dramatically varies 

[20.15] The mindsets that help agencies use AI effectively 

[25.20] How AI will redefine the agency business model 

[27.25] AI, value-based selling and why differentiation is essential 

[32.35] Can agencies really price on deliverables? 

[35:50] Advice for agency leaders on driving AI adoption

Previous episodes

Leading the next phase of digital

Episode 33

Michael Olaye

EVP, Huge

AI and the pursuit of happiness

Episode 32

Matt McNeany

Ex-Chief Transformation Officer, Omnicom

Knowing the people behind the creds

Episode 31

Lisa Colantuono

President, AAR Partners

Creativity as a process

Episode 30

Eric Zuncic

Global MD & CPO, Forsman & Bodenfors

A human-first future for agencies

Episode 29

Holly Maguire

Global Chief Growth Officer, Design Bridge & Partners

Leading with culture

Episode 28

Michael Lebowitz

Founder & Executive Chairman, SPCSHP

A unique perspective on agencies

Episode 27

Marla Kaplowitz

CEO, 4A's

Challenging the global market

Episode 26

James Townsend

CEO, Stagwell EMEA

Every moment is a chance

Episode 25

Nils Leonard

Co-Founder, Uncommon Creative Studio

Making a promise to the market

Episode 24

Conrad Persons

President, Grey London

Nurturing creative cultures

Episode 23

Toby Southgate

Global CEO, We Are Social

Breaking the burnout cycle

Episode 22

Bianca Best

Global Growth Officer, Performics

How audacious ideas get made

Episode 21

Trevor Guthrie

Co-founder, Giant Spoon

The quest for agency simplification

Episode 20

Ruud Wanck

CEO, Candid

From phoney to fearless: building an agency ‘for the culture’

Episode 19

Omid Farhang

Founder & CEO, Majority

Honest leadership in times of change

Episode 18

Josh Krichefski

CEO, GroupM EMEA

The risks of malicious obedience

Episode 17

Greg Hahn

Co-founder, Mischief

Why creativity relies on diversity

Episode 16

Jo Wallace

Global ECD, Jellyfish

The business case for differentiation

Episode 15

Anthony Freedman

CEO, Common Interest

When change becomes transformation

Episode 14

Neil Perkin

Founder, Only Dead Fish

How to maintain entrepreneurialism at scale

Episode 13

Tim Ringel

CEO, Meet The People

The secrets of successful client relationships

Episode 11

Alex Lubar

Global CEO, DDB

The recipe for agency swagger

Episode 10

Natalie Graeme

Founder, Uncommon Creative Studio

Building careers in a changing world

Episode 9

Sue Unerman

Chief Transformation Officer, EssenceMediacomX

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