#28: What Chase Design Group Built After Losing Its Founder

This week on Agency Business, Olivia speaks with Chris Lowery, president of Chase Design Group.Chris shares how he helped scale Chase Design Group from a three-person studio in a Silver Lake house into a global design agency with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and the UK. He reflects on the company’s creative roots in music and entertainment, the influence of founder Margo Chase, and how the agency has grown without acquisitions—by planting cultural seeds in new markets through longtime team members.He also describes:What distinguishes design-focused agencies from traditional creative shopsHow Chase maintains brand consistency for clients over decades-long relationshipsWhy the company operates with a flat, “player-coach” leadership structureHow he approached the sudden loss of Margo Chase and led the agency forwardChase’s view on AI, remote work, and where future growth might come from.Plus, in our weekly news segment, Brian joins from Europe to discuss:What the FTC’s restrictions on IPG and Omnicom mean for political and ideological targetingWhether the new decree will harm the open web and brand safety practicesThe fallout from fabricated Cannes Lions case studiesWhat Ogilvy’s shift from a global to regional DEI structure signals about holding company strategy.Subscribe to the Agency Business newsletter.Reach OutAgency Business features agency CEOs and financial decision-makers alongside third party experts including agency pitch consultants. We are always accepting pitches, and are particularly interested in hearing from women and leaders of color.Email us!📩 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's Jessie Holder explore how brands are shaping Hollywood.