20th May 2025
Holly Maguire on creativity, connection, and change
Episode 29
Holly Maguire
Global Chief Growth Officer, Design Bridge & Partners
Today’s guest is the highly experienced Holly Maguire, Global Chief Growth Officer at Design Bridge and Partners. She shares her unique perspective on how agencies can evolve with empathy, not ego.
As her career has progressed from advertising to brand design, and as a former agency CEO, Holly describes the power she’s seen in humility, collaboration and enduring craft skills.
We also explore the growing need for greater emotional intelligence – across industry language, client relationships and agency leadership. As Holly puts it, less talking, more listening – and never be too presidential or too detached from the shop floor.
With heartfelt insight and optimism, Holly urges agencies to know their worth, lead with empathy, and build on what’s already great.
HIGHLIGHTS:
[01:53] Leadership powered by people
[04:20] Creativity needs EQ as much as IQ
[08:38] The role of Narrative in agency positioning
[09:52] Why creds decks don’t build trust
[15:42] Stop talking, start connecting
[19:58] Don’t get too presidential
[22:07] Leadership lessons from legends
[31:58] Unity builds resilience in client relationships
[35:22] Use AI to accelerate what’s great
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Michael Nyman
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Christine Olivas
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