6th May 2025
Marla Kaplowitz takes stock of an industry in flux
Episode 27
Marla Kaplowitz
CEO, 4A's
Today’s guest is a true agency advocate – Marla Kaplowitz, Chief Executive Officer of the 4A’s.
As her 8-year tenure draws to a close, Marla speaks up for the pressures that agencies are under and the opportunities she sees in an industry transformed since the pandemic.
The conversation explores the value of creativity, why speed should command a premium and how AI can drive premiumisation rather than a race to the bottom.
We also cover what does – and doesn’t – work when it comes to differentiation in a saturated market, from the fear of standing out to why criticizing your competition is never a good look.
Marla also reflects on leadership and learning from challenges. With an optimistic eye on the future, she celebrates the creativity, resilience and people who continue to shape the future of advertising.
HIGHLIGHTS
[03:24] How Covid reshaped the market
[05:12] The real cost of pitching
[09:08] Speed deserves a premium
[13:47] The problem with short term thinking
[17:54] Smarter ways to win with procurement
[20:36] What’s killing agency differentiation
[29:15] Being fearless experts
[32:02] Regrets as fuel for improvement
[35:09] Why agencies are cockroaches not dinosaurs
Previous episodes
Comedy’s greatest ad agency
Episode 50
Haley Hunter
Co-founder, Party Land
Building modern legends
Episode 49
Jaime Robinson & Lisa Clunie
Co-founders, JOAN
The AI-enabled creative renaissance
Episode 48
Andrew Swinand
CEO, Inspired Thinking Group (ITG)
A balanced take on indies vs HoldCo.s
Episode 47
John Harris
President & CEO, Worldwide Partners Inc.
Bringing contagious positivity
Episode 46
Karen Martin
CEO, BBH London & Dublin
Evolving the business of creativity
Episode 45
Guy Wieynk
Global CEO, AnalogFolk Group
Scaling culture at pace
Episode 44
Dimi Albers
CEO, Dept
Retaining the soul of creativity
Episode 43
Mark Figliulo
Founder, FIG
The power of ownership
Episode 42
Rania Robinson
CEO, Quiet Storm
Pioneering a new agency model
Episode 41
Luke Smith
CEO, Croud
The alchemy of modern media agencies
Episode 40
Richard Morris
CEO, UK and EMEA, IPG Mediabrands
Standing up for the next generation
Episode 39
Tesa Aragones
CEO, The Americas, AKQA
The hidden goldmine of B2B
Episode 38
Valerie Beauchamp
VP Global Head of Agency Development and Marketer Education, LinkedIn
Reinventing your passion
Episode 37
Armando Turco
President, Mojo Supermarket
Building a Market of One
Episode 36
Laurence Green
Director of Effectiveness, IPA
Coaching for commercial growth
Episode 35
Maureen Falvey
Lead Coach & Trainer, Strong Training & Coaching
Differentiating your client experience
Episode 34
Allen Adamson
Co-Founder, Metaforce
Leading the next phase of digital
Episode 33
Michael Olaye
EVP, Huge
AI and the pursuit of happiness
Episode 32
Matt McNeany
President, WPP Open
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
Challenging the global market
Episode 26
James Townsend
CEO, Stagwell EMEA
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