1 / 14

Escape From A Dysfunctional Business

Escape From A Dysfunctional Business. MATT FISCHER, PRESIDENT, CURIOSITY ADVERTISING. 1982-2001 in NYC AT&T, Pepsi, GE, Nabisco, Tropicana, Frito Lay, Kraft, Goodyear Multiple Super Bowl Spots Lost my job in the post-911 meltdown

thea
Download Presentation

Escape From A Dysfunctional Business

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Escape From A Dysfunctional Business

  2. MATT FISCHER, PRESIDENT, CURIOSITY ADVERTISING • 1982-2001 in NYC • AT&T, Pepsi, GE, Nabisco, Tropicana, Frito Lay, Kraft, Goodyear • Multiple Super Bowl Spots • Lost my job in the post-911 meltdown • Spent 18 months freelancing/looking for a job • Had opportunity to join small agency in • Cincinnati as a minority partner in spring of 2003

  3. CINCINNATI - DREAM JOB • Learned intricacies of running • small agency vs. big agency • Loved my staff and clients • Proud of our work • Grew agency 400% in 5 years • Project>agency of record • Local>national clients • Staff grew from 14 to 75 • Hated my boss

  4. LESSONS LEARNED IN CINCINNATI • Should have done my homework on the majority owner • Didn’t cut his teeth in the ad industry • Didn’t embrace service business model • Minority partnership - not a good idea • Need trust and truth

  5. 4Q 2008 • Business doing well • All time personal low • Felt trapped and frustrated • Angry and embarrassed • Found CEBI! (or CEBI found me)

  6. DECEMBER 2008 - MY VIRGIN CEBI MEETING • Not sure what to expect • Spilled my guts to complete strangers • Didn’t realize level of stress

  7. CEBI FEEDBACK • They listened • Asked insightful questions • Shared personal stories • Cogent and actionable advice • Encouraged me

  8. MY TAKEAWAYS • Admit self-deceptions • Cannot change situation • If I just try a little harder... • Must leave • Square it with my wife first • Don’t be afraid of risk • Control my own destiny • Begin job search • Understand non-competes

  9. MAD MEN - August 2009 • Business issues • Credit line • Breaking point for minority partners

  10. MAD MEN - CEBI 3Q MEETING • Explained developments • Received excellent advice • Banks and credit lines • Potential legal needs and path • Strategies and options • Confidence

  11. MAD MEN - THE SPLIT • Agreed to buy agency from majority owner • He changes mind and fires minority owners • Successfully negotiate non-competes • Won right to start new agency • Contacted clients after separation agreement • Hired away staff to new firm

  12. THE BIRTH OF CURIOSITY ADVERTISING • Opened doors January 1, 2010 • Started with 3 clients • Staff of 9

  13. CURIOSITY ADVERTISING T0DAY • 10 Clients - National and local • 20 Staff members • Expect to be at 30 by end of year

  14. MATT FISCHER T0DAY • Never been happier • Eternally Grateful for the advice and support from CEBI

More Related