Episode 28 - Michael Lebowitz

Today’s guest is Michael Lebowitz, Founder and Executive Chairman of SPCSHP – an agency that’s defied trends and labels for 25 years, and been a Harvard Business School case study not once, but twice.

Using the metaphor of a living, breathing organism, Michael describes SPCSHP as a creative canvas, where culture and imagination are more important than rigid labels or passing trends.

We also unpack why values aren’t just something to stick in a creds deck, but a powerful filter for the right clients and talent. And he explains how rituals (even playful ones) reveal more about team health than KPIs ever could.

From resisting the lure of being a ‘hot shop’, to navigating a people-first acquisition by MSQ, this is a masterclass in leading with personal conviction – and playing the long game.

HIGHLIGHTS

[02:05] Before digital was a thing

[04:26] The agency as an organism

[08:27] Leading with values

[11:07] Becoming a solo founder

[15:43] Cultural health is success

[20:01] How values keep you grounded

[24:52] Breadth of creative perspective

[28:11] Being featured by Harvard Business School

[33:29] Why MSQ felt like home

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

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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

A unique perspective on agencies

Episode 27

Marla Kaplowitz

CEO, 4A's

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Episode 26

James Townsend

CEO, Stagwell EMEA

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Episode 25

Nils Leonard

Co-Founder, Uncommon Creative Studio

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Episode 24

Conrad Persons

President, Grey London

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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

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Episode 20

Ruud Wanck

CEO, Candid

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Episode 19

Omid Farhang

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Josh Krichefski

CEO, GroupM EMEA

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Episode 17

Greg Hahn

Co-founder, Mischief

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Episode 16

Jo Wallace

Global ECD, Jellyfish

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Episode 15

Anthony Freedman

CEO, Common Interest

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Neil Perkin

Founder, Only Dead Fish

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Episode 13

Tim Ringel

CEO, Meet The People

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Episode 12

Chris Johnson

CEO, TomorrowToday

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Episode 11

Alex Lubar

Global CEO, DDB

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Episode 10

Natalie Graeme

Founder, Uncommon Creative Studio

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Episode 9

Sue Unerman

Chief Transformation Officer, EssenceMediacomX

Leading with culture

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