3rd February 2026
Jared Belsky on integrity, developing future leaders and getting beyond the ‘doom’
Episode 62
Jared Belsky
CEO and Co-Founder, Acadia
Today’s guest is Jared Belsky, Co-Founder and CEO of Acadia – the hugely successful digital marketing and analytics agency. This is a masterclass in optimism, principled leadership and long-term thinking.
Jared shares why bravery and belief sit at the heart of great leadership, from taking outspoken ethical stances, to building an agency designed to nurture future CEOs.
We explore how Acadia has deliberately moved away from the boom-and-bust model that afflicts so many agencies, instead embracing more sustainable economics and intelligent specialization that doesn’t rely on a single vertical sector.
Jared also offers a refreshingly positive view of the next generation, arguing they’re the most empowered yet, particularly when genuinely supported with thoughtful use of AI and automation.
HIGHLIGHTS:
[02:09] Where Acadia came from
[04:41] Integrity in media buying
[08:51] Stay profitable while doing good
[11:50] Agencies as teaching platforms
[17:29] Embracing economic diversity
[21:12] The mid-market thesis
[23:01] Saying “No” to P&G
[27:37] Living the values
[30:31] Empowering the team with technology
[33:23] Three trends reshaping media
Previous episodes
Why Dentsu believes in agency brands
Episode 61
Beth Ann Kaminkow
CEO, Dentsu North America
A life more curious
Episode 60
Zoe Scaman
Founder, Bodacious
Inside Coke’s AI-powered Christmas campaign
Episode 59
PJ Pereira and Andrew O'Dell
Co-Founders, Pereira O’Dell and SILVERSIDE
Going deep on decision-making
Episode 58
Olivia Morley & Brian Wieser
Co-hosts, Agency Business
Making it ‘worth it’
Episode 57
Luke McKelvey
CEO, MIRIMAR
A rallying cry for brilliance
Episode 56
Richard Huntington
Former Chief Strategy Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi London
Why female ownership matters
Episode 55
Christy Hiler
CEO, Cornett
Excellence as usual
Episode 54
Tyler Turnbull
Global CEO, FCB
What’s in a name?
Episode 53
Zihla Salinas
CEO, Yes&
Culture, entertainment and commerce
Episode 52
Jarrod Moses
Global CEO, UEG
Unpacking the ‘Power of One’
Episode 51
Loren Grossman
Global CSO, Publicis Groupe
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
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.
