Small Spark Theory: a marginal gains approach to new business and marketing
Lucy MannNew business is one of those subjects guaranteed to get a reaction from agency owners everywhere. Many will have a nagging feeling they should be doing a bit more, wonder how other agencies manage to land the accounts they covet, have moments of wild inspiration and energy then falter because the day job just, well gets in the way. Gunpowder's Lucy Mann has worked in agency new business for over 2... more
| Publishes | Infrequently | Episodes | 107 | Founded | 9 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | MarketingManagementBusiness | |||
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Latest Episodes
Ask most agency owners how profitable their last project was, and you'll get one of two answers: a rough guess, or a long pause.
This kind of data is rarely readily available, and when it is, it's usually buried in a spreadsheet that someone else ... more
In this episode of Small Spark Theory, we're continuing our exploration of the true value of client relationships, but this time, we're asking: what happens when things go wrong?
I'm joined by Nigel Sarbutts, former agency MD and founder of Structu... more
In a market where new business feels harder, slower, and more competitive than ever, agencies can no longer afford to overlook the opportunity sitting right in front of them.
Industry pressure, procurement complexity, and shrinking marketing budget... more
Here we are at the end of 2025 and our last episode of the year.
I know this year has been a tough one for many agencies, for many reasons. So I wanted to finish with a good news story. A case study of an independent agency (well two in fact) flour... more
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- Such a helpful podcast
As an ‘accidental agency owner’ myself, I’ve found this podcast a fantastic source of tips and inspiration that really can make a difference. I’ve just got home from a trip to London and binge-listened four in a row!
If you want one to get you into the swing of things then check out Matt Watkinson’s ‘Mastering Uncertainty’. Lucy is a great host and knows exactly when to let the guest go for it!
Keep up the great work and thank you.
Apple Podcasts5Oliver from TDL
United Kingdom2 years ago - Always so interesting
Loads of really practical and useful advice. Highly recommend 💥
Apple Podcasts5wishy14United Kingdom2 years ago - So many insights
My go-to and a must for anyone working in the creative industry. Constantly learning and growing!
Apple Podcasts5MewcyUnited Kingdom2 years ago - Great podcast, great guests!
Just finished Lucy’s interview with Emma Sexton and wanted to give a shout-out to Small Spark Theory — so good to hear such insight and authenticity, and without any industry ego! Really enjoy Lucy’s approach to podcasting.
Apple Podcasts5LaLovesClementineUnited Kingdom2 years ago - Great insight for agencies of all sizes
This is a great podcast. I’ve listened for a couple of years now and gradually caught up with all of the episodes! There’s a mix of big hitters and niche players - all who have great insight in to issues like pricing, marketing strategies, business development, and so on … I challenge anyone in the agency space to listen to an episode and not have at least 2 or 3 ‘ah-hah!’ moments!
Apple Podcasts5David H LFCUnited Kingdom2 years ago
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Apple Podcasts | #104 | United Kingdom/Business/Marketing |
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast
What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A pragmatic show focused on improving agency new-business performance through marginal gains. Episodes typically feature agency leaders, consultants, and practitioners who share actionable tactics on client development, pricing, profitability, and relationship management, often weaving in AI, design, and legal considerations. The conversations emphasize practical processes, coaching-style insights, and real-world examples aimed at helping small to mid-sized agencies grow more predictably without chasing hype. A notable strength is its range of guest perspectives—from founders and strategists to legal experts—delivering time-tested tips that listeners can apply directly to their own firms.
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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?
These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:
1. 2Bobs—with David C. Baker and Blair Enns
2. The News Agents
3. The Rest Is Politics
4. The Louis Theroux Podcast
5. The Rest Is Politics: US
How many episodes of this podcast are there?
this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 107 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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What guests have appeared on this podcast?
Recent guests on this podcast include:
1. Anna Appleton
2. Nigel Sarbutts
3. Catherine Allison
4. Kim Lawton
5. Nicky Rinks
6. Rich Banham
7. Sharon Playford
8. Emily Penny
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