In this episode of the Inorganic Podcast, co-host Christian Hassled interviews Robin Skidmore, a seasoned entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Journey Further. They discuss Robin's journey from humble beginnings to founding successful agencies, including Epiphany Search and Journey Further. The conversation explores the evolution of Journey Further, its recent acquisition of Salderson Media, and the challenges of expanding into the U.S. market. Robin shares insights on agency culture, the current state of the UK agency market, and the importance of adapting to changes in consumer behavior and technology, particularly AI. The episode concludes with a discussion on Robin's investments in startups and the significance of maintaining a strong company culture as the agency grows.

Takeaways

• Robin Skidmore's entrepreneurial journey began with a car wash at age 12.
• Journey Further was launched in 2017 with a clear roadmap for growth.
• The agency focuses on performance media and aims to be creatively driven.
• Acquisition of Salderson Media was strategic for expanding capabilities.
• Expanding to the U.S. market presented unique challenges and cultural differences.
• Maintaining a strong company culture is crucial for agency success.
• The UK agency market is experiencing consolidation and increased competition.
• AI is transforming the marketing landscape, requiring agencies to adapt.
• Investing in startups allows for a deeper understanding of client challenges.
• Cultural dynamics influence agency operations and client relationships.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Robin Skidmore and Journey Further

02:14 Robin's Entrepreneurial Journey and Epiphany Search

04:52 The Evolution of Journey Further

08:13 Acquisition of Salderson Media and Market Relevance

10:32 Expanding to the U.S. Market: Challenges and Insights

17:31 Cultural Differences in Agency Operations

20:16 Lessons from Epiphany to Journey Further

23:29 The State of the UK Agency Market

26:21 Future Growth Strategies and Inorganic Expansion

30:28 Cultural Dynamics in Agency Growth

34:21 Investments Beyond Agencies: The Pub and Startups

41:22 Maintaining Culture and Addressing AI Challenges

Connect with Christian and Ayelet

Ayelet’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-shipley-b16330149/

Christian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hassold/

Web: https://www.inorganicpodcast.co

In/organic on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InorganicPodcast/featured

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