Jared Belsky, CEO and co-founder of Acadia, joins co-hosts Olivia Morley and Brian Wieser to talk about building a mid-market agency at scale and why he’s become one of the industry’s most vocal critics of principal-based media buying.

Jared shares what led him to co-found Acadia after leading 360i, and why the firm has centered its business model around operational efficiency, cultural values, and a diversified client base. He explains why Acadia has no VPs, how it’s maintained 9% unwanted turnover, and why staying private has helped the agency say no to misaligned opportunities — including a $150 million account.

He also breaks down why principal-based media buying is, in his view, a “reprehensible” practice that undermines client trust and how opacity around these deals is enabling broader normalization of rebates, fraud, and poor media outcomes.

Plus, Olivia, Brian, and Jared discuss:

• Publicis’ disclosed 21% 2024 employee churn and what that signals about the talent market
• The holding company’s acquisition of sports marketing agency Adopt and where it fits within Publicis Connected Media
• ANA’s latest findings on AOR tenure, and whether the real takeaway is that fewer clients are signing AORs to begin with.

Subscribe to the Agency Business newsletter.

Agency 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 brian@madisonandwall.com

📩 Olivia at olivia@fusionfrontmedia.com

Follow Madison and Wall and FusionFront Media on LinkedIn for updates.

📊 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.