#15: Running an Indie Creative Powerhouse, With Joan’s Lisa Clunie

Lisa Clunie, co-founder and CEO of JOAN joins co-hosts Olivia Morley and Brian Wieser to talk about what it takes to build and lead a modern independent agency. From JOAN's origins in New York to its expansion into Berlin and London, Lisa shares how the company has evolved into a multi-faceted creative firm—with an advertising agency, production studio, and influencer arm—all while staying founder-owned and values-driven.Lisa discusses the financial logic behind JOAN's production studio, how influencer marketing is diversifying beyond the “tonnage” model, and why integration across functions like creative, media, influencer, and social allows the agency to move with both agility and intention. She also explains how JOAN navigates resource allocation without external investors and how its growth decisions are often shaped by client needs and opportunity—not just ambition.Plus, Olivia, Brian, and Lisa explore how holding companies are grappling with geopolitical and cultural tensions, what recent earnings reports from S4 Capital and M&C Saatchi suggest about agency performance, and why some agencies might regret playing it safe when it comes to their values.Subscribe to the Agency Business newsletter.Reach OutAgency Business works with sponsors, but it’s not pay-to-play. We consider guests who are decision-makers at the highest level of their agencies. We’d love to feature more women and leaders of color—if that's you or someone you know, please reach out:📩 Brian at [email protected]📩 Olivia at [email protected] Madison and Wall and FusionFront Media on LinkedIn for updates.Explore Our Other Podcasts:📊 The Madison and Wall Podcast – Brian opens up about his latest work—plus crucial economic, financial, and industry trends.🎬 Screen & Sponsor – Olivia & VaynerMedia media manager Jessie Holder explore how brands are shaping Hollywood.A Note From Our SponsorThis episode is sponsored by Ebiquity. Picture this: complete confidence that every dollar of your media budget is working as hard as possible. That's what Ebiquity delivers. They are the world's leading media investment analysts, helping global brands turn media complexity into competitive advantage. Through independent, data-driven analysis, they identify inefficiencies, create transparency, and unlock hidden value in your media investments. Over 80 of the world's largest advertisers trust Ebiquity for a reason. Visit ebiquity.com today and discover how they can help your brand.