Turning Agency Challenges into Opportunities: Insights from Drew McLellan & Lee McKnight Jr.
Our VP of Sales & Marketing, Lee McKnight Jr., just joined Drew McLellan on the Build a Better Agency podcast to break down the findings from our Rolling into 2026 Agency New Business Report.
In this episode, Drew and Lee take a hard look at the state of agency new business as we head into 2026.
Listen to the podcast here.
They discuss the hurdles agencies are facing, and one striking data point: 93% of agencies report their growth engines aren’t running at full capacity.
The conversation doesn’t stop at challenges though, they also spotlight where agencies are stepping up.
From building stronger content strategies and productizing services to modernizing referral programs and adopting smarter business development tactics, the survey reveals that more firms are getting proactive.
Other key takeaways include:
- Why an “always-on” new business engine is more critical than ever
- How AI is reshaping research, prospecting, and content without replacing human expertise
- Practical strategies small and midsize agencies can use to stand out in a crowded market
- Productization of agency services—opportunities and caution
- Competing and collaborating with in-house agencies in today’s landscape
If you want to understand how agencies are really approaching growth in today’s shifting landscape—and how to keep your pipeline healthy in 2026—this episode is packed with insights.
