Ep 33: Ad Agency Life & ChatGPT-  With Drew Mclellan, CEO, Agency Management Institute

Ep 33: Ad Agency Life & ChatGPT- With Drew Mclellan, CEO, Agency Management Institute

Author: Cary Weston May 22, 2024 Duration: 40:30

In this episode of "The ChatGPT Experiment," Cary Weston sits down with Drew McClellan, CEO of Agency Management Institute, to discuss the crucial role of AI in the advertising industry. Recorded in the vibrant French Quarter of New Orleans, this conversation delves into how agencies can embrace AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance their operations, compete effectively, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. Whether you're a small business owner or part of a large agency, this episode offers valuable insights on integrating AI to boost efficiency and innovation.

Step 2: Main Topics Covered

  • The impact of AI on the advertising industry.
  • Approaching AI with a mindset of abundance vs. scarcity.
  • Practical examples of AI applications in small and large agencies.
  • The importance of experimentation and curiosity with AI tools.

Step 3: Key Insights

  1. AI as an Equalizer: Smaller agencies can leverage AI to level the playing field with larger competitors by improving efficiency and expanding capabilities.
  2. Mindset Matters: Agencies that adopt an abundance mindset view AI as an opportunity for growth and innovation, while those with a scarcity mindset may fall behind.
  3. Experimentation is Key: The current stage of AI development is about exploring possibilities and experimenting with tools like ChatGPT to discover new ways to solve problems and enhance business operations.

Step 4: Episode Index

  • [00:00:00] Introduction: Cary introduces the episode and guest, Drew McClellan.
  • [00:00:23] Conversation Start: Discussing the importance of integrating AI in agency toolsets.
  • [00:02:00] AI in the Creative Industry: How AI is changing the business side of creative agencies.
  • [00:03:00] Meeting Drew McClellan: Background on Drew and the Agency Management Institute.
  • [00:05:00] Benefits of AMI Membership: Personal testimonials and the value of finding a business tribe.
  • [00:08:15] AI as a Threat or Opportunity: Differing perspectives on AI within the industry.
  • [00:12:00] Specific AI Applications: Examples of how small and large agencies are using ChatGPT.
  • [00:20:00] Experimenting with AI: Encouraging businesses to explore and play with AI tools.
  • [00:25:00] Practical Use Cases: Real-world applications of ChatGPT for hiring and difficult conversations.
  • [00:36:00] Expanding Possibilities with AI: Final thoughts on the importance of curiosity and experimentation.

Step 5: About The Guest Drew McClellan is the CEO and co-owner of Agency Management Institute, which serves advertising, marketing, PR, and media buying agencies worldwide. He helps agencies run their businesses more effectively by providing tools, resources, and support. Drew is recognized as one of the top voices in marketing and branding and has been featured in major publications like Entrepreneur, New York Times, Forbes, and Wall Street Journal.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cary is a seasoned marketing professional and partner in the Bangor, Maine-based advertising and marketing firm Sutherland Weston. He is a certified "They Ask You Answer" coach – a sales and marketing framework developed by Marcus Sheridan designed to help companies stand out as the voice of authority in their industry and drive measurable sales results. His specialties lie in developing practical and tactical strategies to help businesses overcome sales and marketing challenges.

Cary is available for coaching, consulting, and strategy engagement with businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

Connect with Cary:

LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: LinkedIn Newsletter

MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "Curious" by Podington Bear. You can contact the artist here: Podington Bear


Ever wondered how AI tools like ChatGPT could actually fit into your daily work or creative projects without the technical overwhelm? The ChatGPT Experiment-Simplifying Chat GPT For Curious Beginners is built for that exact moment of curiosity. Host Cary Weston demystifies artificial intelligence in a way that feels like a helpful conversation, stripping away the jargon to focus on practical, actionable steps. This podcast moves beyond theory, offering listeners a chance to hear how prompts are crafted and how responses can be shaped for real tasks in business, marketing, education, and personal growth. Each episode feels like a guided session, where Cary’s approachable style turns abstract concepts into clear tools you can use immediately. Whether you're looking to streamline a workflow, generate fresh ideas, or simply understand the buzz, the content meets you where you are. The natural flow of the podcast makes complex topics accessible, ensuring that every listener, regardless of their starting point, can build genuine capability. It’s about transforming that initial interest into tangible skill, one straightforward explanation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The ChatGPT Experiment - Simplifying Chat GPT For Curious Beginners
Podcast Episodes
Ep 67- You're Not Alone: How Others Are Really Using ChatGPT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:08
Episode Summary: In this solo episode of the ChatGPT Experiment podcast, host Cary Weston reflects on the feedback he's been receiving from listeners. He shares common themes around how people are using ChatGPT, what the…
Ep 66: The Second Brain Experiment: Developing A 'Two-Way' To-Do List [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:34
Cary dives into how he's using ChatGPT not just as a business tool, but as a personal assistant—something he's calling his "second brain." Inspired by a listener named Jessica, he talks about using ChatGPT's memory to cr…
Ep 65 - ChatGPT's Memory - What Does It Really Know About You? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:11
Episode Summary: In this solo episode of The ChatGPT Experiment, host Cary Weston shares a personal and exploratory dive into ChatGPT's growing memory capabilities. Inspired by a LinkedIn post, Cary experiments with usin…
Ep 64 - The Custom GPT Process That Works Best For Me [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:26
In this solo episode, host Cary Weston records from the parking lot during his kids' sports practices and dives into a hands-on tip about creating Custom GPTs—specialized versions of ChatGPT tailored for specific tasks.…
Ep 63 - Intro To Deep Research & A Customer GPT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:57
In this solo episode of The ChatGPT Experiment, host Cary Weston shares personal updates, answers a listener question, and dives into two powerful tools within ChatGPT: Deep Research and a Custom GPT for Ideal Customers.…
Ep 62 - ChatGPT For Personal Advice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:19
In this episode, Cary dives into a potentially controversial topic—using ChatGPT for personal advice. Cary emphasizes that ChatGPT should be seen as a tool, not a replacement for professionals, and shares real-world scen…
Ep 61 - My ChatGPT Advice That Gets The Best Reaction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:56
In this solo episode, host Cary Weston shares his top ChatGPT advice—the tips and principles that consistently get the best reactions in his group presentations and one-on-one coaching. These aren't just specific tactics…
Ep 60 - How I Use Empathy With ChatGPT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:23
In this episode, Cary Weston explores what he calls the "empathetic position" and how it plays a crucial role in writing, problem-solving, and even workplace interactions when using ChatGPT. He shares how taking a step b…