3rd June 2025
Lisa Colantuono on creating powerful client / agency partnerships
Episode 31
Lisa Colantuono
President, AAR Partners
Today’s guest is Lisa Colantuono, President of search consultancy, AAR Partners. With decades of experience and zero time for fluff, Lisa lays bare what agency searches should really be about – forging proper partnerships, not playing matchmaker.
Building on themes of trust and transparency, Lisa shares horror stories as well as best practice – including how new-business is never a numbers game, what great pitches look like, and why IRL counsel and feedback is so essential.
She also unpacks what the smartest agencies do differently – from demonstrating their expertise, to how they show up with real authenticity.
HIGHLIGHTS
[02:17] What search consultants really do
[08:49] Protecting both agencies and clients
[11:05] The critical elements of a pitch
[14:23] How to kill off spec work
[18:25] Saying no more than yes
[23:55] Fear makes agencies play small
[29:40] Beware the industry of rookies
[36:56] Better consultants mean better matches
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
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
How AI is changing the agency business model
Episode 12
Chris Johnson
CEO, TomorrowToday
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
Subscribe to
Believe in Better
Our regular newsletter helps your agency stand out and grow faster. Packed with new thought pieces and our latest podcast episodes.
"*" indicates required fields
Our regular newsletter helps your agency stand out and grow faster. Packed with new thought pieces and our latest podcast episodes.
