Podcasts

What it takes to lead today’s marketing agencies: from strategist to CEO with Kristen Cavallo

Sep 19, 2022
Feb 27, 2025
 • 
 min read

“CEOs of marketing agencies need to concern themselves with the big strategic questions. What motivates the talent in the agency? What does a brand stand for? Always delegate what is not in your zone of genius.”
— Kristen Cavallo

Kristen Cavallo, CEO at the Martin Agency, knows that a diversified leadership team leads to better business objectives and outcomes. And unlike so many that make promises but lack follow through, she’s made it her mission to fight invisibility by using breakthrough work and cultivating inclusive culture. From strategist to CEO, she’s using her strengths to bring about big change with impressive results.

This week on The Speed of Culture podcast, CEO Matt Britton was joined by Kristen to talk about:

  • Where the shift in marketing agency CEOs’ backgrounds is coming from, and how it’s affecting agency culture, work, and relationships with clients.
  • How 84% of ads go unnoticed, and how this brought about the Martin Agency’s mission to fight invisibility.
  • DEI, and how diverse leadership, as well as a diverse workforce, is proven to improve business objectives, performance, and outcome.
  • How the future of advertising lies in applying creativity to solve any number of a clients’ problems.
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