{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Between Courses","title":"AI, Agency Growth & The Businesses That Will Thrive","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3002,"description":"Host Susie McFarland returns with another candid conversation from The Long Lunch, this time recorded in a beautiful glasshouse as Britain's unpredictable summer provides the backdrop.\nAs agencies continue to navigate AI, economic uncertainty and changing client expectations, Susie is joined by four industry experts to explore what's really separating the agencies that are thriving from those simply trying to keep up.\nFrom positioning and profitability to AI adoption, sales, commercial confidence and operational efficiency, this episode is packed with practical insights for agency leaders looking to build stronger, more resilient businesses.\nMeet the guests:\nJay Neale – Synergist\nCEO of Synergist, the agency management platform helping creative businesses bring people, projects and financials together in one place. Having worked with agencies since 2004, Jay has a unique perspective on what consistently drives profitability, operational excellence and long-term growth.\nRory Spence – The Wow Company\nCommercial Director at The Wow Company, specialist accountants for agencies and the team behind BenchPress, the UK's leading agency benchmarking survey. Rory brings the latest industry data and explains why clear positioning and differentiation continue to outperform everything else.\nRebecca Steer – Steer\nFounder of Steer, providing creative agencies with practical legal support, contracts and commercial advice without the traditional law firm complexity. Rebecca shares what she's seeing behind the scenes as agencies adapt to AI, changing procurement processes and an increasingly collaborative market.\nRyan Hall – Friday Solved\nFounder of Friday Solved, helping agencies build predictable sales engines by aligning sales and marketing. Ryan discusses why commercial skills, consistent visibility and outcome-focused selling are becoming essential for agencies looking to win work in today's market.\nTogether they discuss:Why clearly differentiated agencies continue to...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/Mfo89PRElqx2V_93JFyAC2O0QCHfjsisupUo6WOEEZM/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81M2Qx/MzM5ZjI0YzdiNDdh/ODhjNmJmYTkzYzA4/ZDgyYi5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}