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Insights From Agency Management Consultant Mitchell Caplan

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17 September 2026

You Don’t Have to Hire the Team Before You Win the Client

For independent agencies, the right technology and AI partner can provide the bench strength clients want without creating the fixed costs agencies don’t.

10 September 2026

Five Forces Reshaping Agencies—and What It Will Take to Thrive

In August, I kept returning to one question: What will separate the agencies and marketing organizations that thrive in this changing environment from those that struggle?

31 August 2026

Your 2027 Growth Plan Needs More Than a Revenue Target

Before deciding how much you want to grow, decide how your organization needs to work differently to get there.

17 August 2026

The Independent Agency Boom Isn’t Quite What It Seems

There is a widely accepted story in advertising that independent agencies are thriving while holding companies struggle.

4 August 2026

AI Is Leveling the Agency Playing Field. Your Operating Model Is What Will Set You Apart.

Growth Doesn't Require More Employees. It Requires Better Partners.

27 July 2026

Independent Agencies Don’t Need More Capabilities. They Need Better Partners.

I recently read Ad Age’s discussion about what separates today’s winning independent agencies from the rest, and one theme kept coming back throughout the conversation.

21 July 2026

The Companies That Win with AI Won’t Be the Ones with the Best AI

They’ll be the ones that redesign how work gets done.

13 July 2026

The Agencies Growing Fastest in 2026 Are Doing Less, On Purpose

The agencies growing fastest in #2026 aren’t the ones doing the most.

7 July 2026

The Capacity Gap Nobody’s Talking About Post-Cannes

Independent agencies are being asked to deliver AI and e-commerce work that stretches their bench — here's the option more of them are quietly using.

1 July 2026

Cannes 2026: Why Independent Agencies May Be Built for What Comes Next

The traditional agency bundle is breaking apart, and the market is moving toward the focus, flexibility and conviction independent firms can provide.