298. Leading Agencies Through Transition, with Ellen Praytor Faulkner

The Innovative Agency

In this episode of The Innovative Agency, Sharon Toerek is joined by Ellen Praytor Faulkner, CEO of Lewis Communications, a performance marketing powerhouse with deep roots and a forward-thinking edge. Ellen opens up about what it really takes to lead an agency through transition, stepping into the CEO role in the wake of COVID and steering through the ripple effects of economic headwinds and rapid tech shifts.

She shares hard-earned insights on guiding both teams and clients with empathy, clarity, and a firm grip on strategy. Ellen shares why those traits aren’t just nice to have, but essential for agency growth and client success.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The real challenges and opportunities agency leaders face during periods of transition and change

• How to set priorities and expectations when stepping into new leadership role at a legacy agency

• Why empathy, transparency, and hybrid upskilling have become core agency leadership tools

• Creative approaches for agencies to add value as partners when clients’ in-house teams are also struggling to adapt

• The hidden pitfalls of performance marketing and how agencies can structure compensation to protect themselves while delivering client results

• How agencies can build lasting client relationships by embracing a “walk-alongside” mentality in today’s performance-driven market

• The make-or-break importance of candid conversations around expectations, resources, and what true success looks like for both agency and client

Ellen Faulkner looks forward, never backward. She drives innovation and change at Lewis and never allows the agency to settle for last year’s solutions. She understands how marketing has evolved, is constantly innovating on the agency's offerings, and is a driving force in clients’ growth at pivotal moments in their history.

Ellen has led groundbreaking work for a vast range of clients during her 33+ years with the company, working across D2C and B2B brands in various industries including outdoor recreation, healthcare, education, lifestyle, and the financial sector.

Resources:

• Website: https://www.lewiscommunications.com/

• LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenpraytorfaulkner/

• LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lewis-communications/

• Facebook Business: https://www.facebook.com/LewisCommunications/