Discovering the moments that changed leaders’ journeys within the digital economy

We discuss:

1. Growing MediaCom’s North American business

2. How Euan builds teams to compensate for his blind spots

3. Delivering radical transformation in an organisation of 8,000 people  

4. How he shapes the culture of the companies he runs

5. The power of reverse mentoring 

We discuss:

1. His strong sense of self and how that pulled him out of a difficult upbringing  

2. Understanding the games he can win and mentally levelling up

3. Selling his business and why he chose Brainlabs

4. “How to speak to white people”

We discuss:

1. How Jim Collins stopped them selling the business for half a million dollars

2. Embedding and empowering LEAN methodology into a business of 500 people

3. How you structure an organisation of 7,000 people for growth

4. What the party is like when you list your business

We discuss:

1. His journey into the agency space and becoming CEO. 

2. How to tell Private Equity they are wrong

3. Bringing 33 companies together

4. The Dept culture and how they maintain it during growth

5. The stage of growth at which it's important to focus on culture

6. The key ingredients for success in technology businesses

We discuss:

1. His transformation from a professional athlete to a business career

2. Adapting to ‘corporate’ life and how he became the youngest branch manager

3. How to approach business acquisitions and the underlying impact

4. The framework for effectively scaling businesses

5. How to make good decisions

We discuss:

1. The most challenging periods growing Geeks

2. How to think about the North Star and mission to drive success

3. Building a strong support network and leveraging it to achieve your goals

4. Developing a growth mindset towards digital evolution

We discuss:

1. Leaving Google to start Brainlabs

2. The Brainlab handbook

3. Transition to Private equity investment and the benefits it brings

4. The huge advantages of a financial buyer

We discuss:

1. What he learned from his foundational time at Saatchi and Saatchi

2. How and why he founded WPP

3. How he identifies the right businesses to acquire

We discuss:

1. How and why, he set up S4 Capital

2. The impact of AI on the advertising industry

3. How he approaches dealmaking and what he enjoys most

4. The future of S4 capital

We discuss:

1. The real inspiration to start MakeLoveNotPorn

2. How agency and business leaders should create gender equality 

3. The secret to building disruptive business models 

4. The importance of sexual values in life and business

We discuss:

1. How to successfully incubate products inside an agency

2. Why agencies shouldn’t raise capital 

3. Adapting your business to succeed in the US

4. Creation of a company with the goal of a happy and engaged top team 

We discuss:

1. The life cycle of a business and hitting the ceiling of complexity 

2. How to develop a culture of purpose

3. Building a business that is easy to acquire 

We discuss:

1. Why he re-branded a PLC

2. De-listing of Unlimited from the London Stock Exchange - the truths and challenges

3. Building a new private equity group from scratch 

4. Internal transformation and the importance of global operating platforms

5. The acquisition process and strategic fit

We discuss:

1. The unfair advantage the young have when becoming an Entrepreneur

2. What is Holacracy and why it's the only solution for Boldare 

3. How Boldare achieved its 100% international client base

In this episode they also discuss:

Terry talks about founding his first business, Omni-graphics, stumbling upon, then harnessing data to disrupt direct marketing, scaling and then selling to Omnicom.   Terry then moved into the operator/investor role within the Hawthorne Group, before starting Lake Capital and ultimately the creation of Erie Street, a business services investment firm focusing on operational orientation and family office money.

Terry's emphasis on human capital, the importance of connections, and the role of curiosity and serendipity in success. Terry also discusses the significance of company values like kindness, curiosity, and courage in guiding daily activities and long-term value creation.

Terry discusses his involvement across various industries, including forensic accounting with Huron Consulting Group, web development with Eagle River, and the recent impact of AI on the market. He shares insights on balancing investor partnerships and fostering a patient investor base to focus on sustainable growth rather than short-term sales.

Joe and Terry also touch upon the challenges and opportunities in navigating regulatory landscapes, particularly with AI, and the overall evolution of the business landscape.

Timestamps:

04:52 Terry’s first start up in direct marketing 

06:59 Seeking self-confidence, adaptability, and resourcefulness despite challenges.

13:00 How technology for cruise lines was a catalyst for e-commerce

19:58 The business opportunity Terry saw after Enron brought down Arthur Andersen.

28:00 The evolution of private equity, why Terry founded Erie Street and how it is different

35:04 Underwriting deals, hitting milestones, recapitalising for growth.

45:12 Investor worries about cybersecurity and future impact

Paddy discusses his journalism background and its importance on his subsequent roles; navigating media relations at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson's watchful eye to managing the public image of King Charles and his royal household. He emphasises the importance of calmness, truthfulness, and maintaining professional boundaries in high-stakes environments.

Paddy delves into the company's strategic focus on quality client relationships and honest communication, which has driven their reputation and growth, particularly in the tech and sports sectors.

Together they explore the foundational values that contributed to Milltown Partners' success, such as integrity, collaboration, and the privilege of selective project engagement. Lastly, they reflect on the evolving landscape of media and the crucial role of internal communications in navigating challenges like the pandemic.

Timestamps

00:00 Paddy Harverson on leadership, culture, and experiences.

10:55 Intensity of managing football communications, media content.

16:55 Representing and guiding Prince William and Harry through public life & media scrutiny

21:00 Handling the workload at the royal household.

24:59 Maintaining good media relationships 

30:27 Advance preparation for royal tours across continents.

34:15 World leaders gather to commemorate D Day.

42:27 Consistency in work, clients, hiring, and culture.

44:33 Being  selective about clients.

48:40 Evolution of business structure and media communications.

52:15 Internal communication is vital in business today.

They also discuss:

• The integration of customer-centric strategies in investment practices
• The essential balance between creativity and financial health
• The rapid advancement in digitisation and the growing importance of data
• The changing dynamics of private equity and the ability for swift investments.

In this episode they also discuss:

•  the importance of Betches' strategic use of platforms like Instagram, and partnerships to authentically engage their target audience
• the acquisition journey, how they coped with the many suitors for the business and why they eventually choose LadBible
• the importance of having a good team
• fostering strong business relationships, expanding into new sectors
• maintaining a brand rooted in humour and authenticity and
• the values that contributed to their sustainable growth

In this episode they also discuss: 

- The strategic growth and ethical considerations that guided Hegarty’s agency decisions

- Cultural shifts and their influence on advertising practices

- Sir John’s opinion on white shoes

- Who really invented the Curly Wurly and

- the impact of Elvis

In this episode we also discuss: 

• Why selling your agency is just the beginning 
• Taking a network to court and how he deals with stress 
• Selling to Miroma Group and helping run a global network
• The transition from CEO to Chairman 
• The importance of giving back and what happened when he met David Beckham

In this episode, we also discuss:

• Weathering the global financial crisis
• Agency M&A and becoming ready to acquire
• Selling Cicero to Havas and the global opportunities it presented
• The fear of being on Question Time
• What it's like to see your friends get to the top of the political tree