Welcome to the first episode of 2025! We’re kicking off the year with a deep dive into one of the most pressing topics in the agency world: AI. Will it replace creative roles? Will clients bypass agencies for AI tools? Or is it the ultimate tool to help you scale, boost creativity, and increase profits?

In this episode, Troy Dean breaks down the real impact of AI on agencies—cutting through the fear and focusing on the opportunities. Plus, we’re unveiling some exciting changes to The Agency Hour podcast, including more in-depth training, frameworks, and insights from the Agency Mavericks team.

Whether you’re an AI skeptic or an enthusiast, this episode will give you a clear game plan to future-proof your agency and use AI as a growth accelerator rather than a competitor.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• AI Isn’t Coming for Your Job—But It Will Change How You Work
• How to Use AI to Increase Profits Without Lowering Prices
• The #1 Most Valuable Skill Agencies Need to Stay Relevant
• Why Strategy & Relationships Will Always Win Over Automation
• How Agencies Are Already Using AI to Save 15+ Hours a Week
• The 3 Biggest AI Myths That Are Holding Agencies Back
• Practical Steps to Integrate AI Without Overcomplicating Your Workflow

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction and AI Fears
03:00 - Changes in the Agency Hour Podcast
06:00 - Partnerships with E2M and WP Remote
09:30 - Addressing AI Concerns and Misconceptions
13:00 - AI as a Tool, Not a Threat
17:00 - Enhancing Productivity and Creativity with AI
21:00 - Busting AI Myths and Strategic Integration
24:00 - Conclusion and Future Opportunities

Handy Links

The AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation (Virtual event)
E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericks
WP Remote - https://wpremote.com

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In this episode of The Agency Hour, Johnny Flash sits down with Thomas Amos, Founder of Design Box Studios and coach at Agency Mavericks, to explore how AI is revolutionizing the way agencies operate. Thomas shares his journey of embracing AI to transform daily workflows, save time, and enhance client experiences.

Johnny and Thomas dive into the tools and strategies that have reshaped Thomas’s agency, including creating custom GPTs for SOPs, email follow-ups, and digital roadmaps, which cut hours of work down to minutes. They discuss the power of using AI as an assistant rather than a replacement, sharing practical insights into how tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Fathom can amplify productivity while retaining a human touch.

Thomas opens up about the challenges of balancing innovation with quality and offers actionable advice for agency owners looking to stay ahead of the AI curve. From AI-assisted SEO content creation to voice-activated task management, the conversation highlights the endless possibilities for integrating AI into your business.

The discussion also looks ahead to the future of AI, including advancements in video editing, voice command integration, and personalized digital assistants that could revolutionize agency operations. Thomas’s candid insights and practical tips make this episode a must-listen for anyone eager to harness AI’s potential to work smarter, not harder.

Whether you’re curious about AI’s role in agency life or ready to implement new tools to streamline your workflow, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable strategies.

Handy Links

Design Box

Paid Discovery

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In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean sits down with Jamie Kritharas, Founder of Defiant Digital, to discuss how he transformed his career from international DJ to leading one of Australia’s top digital agencies.

Jamie shares his journey of building Defiant Digital from scratch, helping over 300 businesses generate hundreds of millions in revenue by combining creativity with performance marketing.

Troy and Jamie explore the challenges and triumphs of scaling a remote team of 30 A-players, the importance of aligning creative with ad performance, and how Jamie built a business that thrives without him.

Jamie reveals the mindset shifts and practical strategies that helped him step out of day-to-day client work, create a thriving team culture, and protect his agency by firing toxic clients.

The conversation also dives into Defiant Digital’s client acquisition strategies, the tools they use to maintain team cohesion in a remote environment, and Jamie’s approach to fostering a team-first culture.

Jamie’s candid insights and actionable advice are a must-listen for anyone looking to scale their agency sustainably while maintaining creative excellence.

Whether you’re an agency owner looking to step out of the weeds or an entrepreneur ready to build a business that runs without you, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration.

Handy Links:

Defiant Digital

Paid Discovery

WIX

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In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean sits down with Brandon Leibowitz, Founder of SEO Optimizers, to discuss how digital marketing is evolving in the AI era and what it means for agency owners and marketers. Brandon shares his proven strategies for driving traffic, building authority, and adapting to rapid technological changes like AI-driven content and search engine advancements.

Handy Links:

SEO Optimizers

Paid Discovery

WIX

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Gameplan.agencymavericks.com

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In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean sits down with Cannon Carr, Regional Director and Partner at EP Wealth, to explore strategic wealth-building and financial independence for agency owners. Cannon shares his innovative “Three R’s Framework” — Reinvest, Reward, and Repurpose — designed to help business owners create wealth beyond the agency, while building a sustainable, scalable business model.

Troy and Cannon dive deep into the crucial steps every agency owner should take to diversify income and protect their financial future. Cannon discusses why relying solely on agency profits isn’t enough and provides actionable insights on how to reinvest wisely for growth, reward yourself sustainably, and repurpose income to build a financial safety net outside of the agency. The conversation covers everything from creating a succession plan, to making your business less dependent on you, to planning for a profitable exit strategy on your terms.

Key highlights include Cannon’s advice on using diversified investments to secure financial freedom, understanding how to scale a business beyond the founder’s role, and navigating the complexities of selling or passing on an agency. Cannon explains how to avoid common pitfalls and use financial planning to turn an agency into a wealth-building engine that supports the owner’s lifestyle and goals.

Whether you’re an agency owner looking to grow, exit, or simply build a solid financial foundation, this episode is packed with essential strategies to help you secure long-term wealth and independence. // HANDY

Handy Links:

EP Wealth

Cannon Carr LinkedIn

Paid Discovery

WIX

Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your Agency

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In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, Johnny Flash sits down with Laura Elizabeth, seasoned web designer and founder of Client Portal, to unpack the transformative power of paid discovery in building profitable, streamlined client relationships.

Laura shares her journey from freelance web design to launching Client Portal, a WordPress plugin that simplifies client communication and helps agencies deliver a professional, high-touch experience. Johnny and Laura dive deep into the role of paid discovery as a critical tool for qualifying clients, setting clear project expectations, and minimizing scope creep.

Laura explains how paid discovery not only weeds out low-commitment clients but also positions agencies as trusted advisors from the very start. She shares insights on structuring paid discovery sessions, creating actionable digital roadmaps, and effectively communicating project scope to ensure mutual alignment. They also explore best practices for creating a seamless client onboarding process that sets the stage for long-term partnerships.

Laura emphasizes small, impactful touches—like reusable email templates, regular project check-ins, and thoughtful offboarding—as key to maintaining client satisfaction and generating repeat business.

In this practical episode, Johnny and Laura highlight how agencies can elevate their client experience by implementing client portals to keep files, links, and deliverables organized in one accessible location, helping clients feel informed without overwhelming them.

From templates for difficult conversations to strategies for securing referrals, this conversation is full of actionable advice for agencies aiming to improve client communication and increase efficiency.

Whether you’re an agency owner or a freelancer looking to streamline client management, this episode provides essential tips for turning leads into loyal clients and maximizing agency profitability.

Handy Links

Wix

Paid Discovery

HighLevel

Client Portal

Laura’s Twitter: @lauraelizdunn

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In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, Johnny Flash sits down with Vladimer Botsvadze, a world-renowned social media influencer, keynote speaker, and startup advisor, to discuss how AI is reshaping personal branding and content creation.

Vladimer shares his journey from growing his Twitter following to over 57,000 followers through consistent organic efforts, to becoming a leading authority in digital marketing and AI-powered brand building. He highlights how the modern marketing landscape is all about balancing automation with authentic human connection.

Johnny and Vladimer dive deep into the challenges and opportunities of leveraging AI for content creation, with Vladimer advocating for producing 40-50 pieces of content daily across multiple platforms using AI tools. He explains how AI can help streamline marketing efforts, boost productivity, and scale businesses, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining a consumer-centric approach to foster trust and loyalty. They also explore the importance of personal branding in 2024, especially in a marketplace where consumers are bombarded with advertisements and seek genuine connections with brands.

Vladimer introduces cutting-edge AI tools like Perplexity and Mixo.io, which are helping businesses build websites and create content at unprecedented speeds. He provides insights into how agencies can stand out by focusing on storytelling, emotional connection, and delivering value to their audience. In this insightful episode, Vladimer and Johnny also discuss how AI will impact job roles in marketing, how to stay ahead of the curve by embracing AI, and why building a personal brand is crucial for long-term success in a competitive digital world.

Whether you’re an agency owner looking to scale content creation, harness AI for business growth, or build a personal brand that resonates with your audience, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Handy Links:

Vladimer Botsvadze

Wix

Paid Discovery

HighLevel

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In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, Troy Dean sits down with Tom Fanelli, Founder and CEO of Convesio, a niche platform built on WordPress that empowers e-commerce businesses and agencies to scale and grow seamlessly. Tom shares his journey from being an early customer of WordPress to becoming a specialist in hosting solutions for high-traffic e-commerce sites. He discusses how Convesio offers a unique, full-stack alternative to traditional hosting platforms, including specialized support through Convesio Convert (a marketing automation platform) and Convesio Pay (a new payment processing solution).

Troy and Tom dive deep into the complexities of managing high-performance WordPress sites and how Convesio’s expert team helps agencies by acting as a technical SWAT team. Tom explains the critical differences between Convesio and other hosting companies like SiteGround or WP Engine, emphasizing Convesio’s ability to scale sites for clients who demand top-notch performance and reliability.

They also explore Convesio Convert, a marketing automation tool designed to work seamlessly with WordPress and WooCommerce, offering website personalization and behavior-triggered marketing. Tom introduces Convesio Pay, a revolutionary payment solution that not only simplifies payment processing for e-commerce stores but also offers agencies a new revenue stream by sharing a portion of the payment processing fees.

In this insightful episode, Tom and Troy discuss the challenges within the WordPress ecosystem, the impact of AI on digital marketing, and why AI could "ruin" written content. Tom provides valuable advice for agencies on how to differentiate themselves by building strong, community-focused brands.

Whether you're an agency owner struggling with complex e-commerce solutions, looking to provide value-added services like payment processing, or seeking to leverage AI for business growth, this episode is a must-listen.

Handy Links:

Convesio

Paid Discovery

HighLevel

Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your Agency

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