Launch for Leaders

Lay the foundation for successful agency leadership.

Next cohort is TBD.

Click here if you are interested in this program.

Leading an agency requires a deft mix of skills – many of which future leaders don’t always have the opportunity to learn in the regular course of their work, especially in today’s hybrid environment.

The Launch for Leaders program was developed for agency professionals with 8-15 years of experience to help them develop their skills as future leaders of an agency.

Designed and led by highly-regarded industry leader Strong Training & Coaching, the Launch for Leaders workshop centers around a proprietary case study about a fictional agency struggling with many of the decisions our leaders face every day.

In addition, the participants take part in a DiSC Work Of Leaders assessment and debrief which covers the core principles of leadership including crafting a vision, building alignment, and championing execution.

Check out the video below to see an overview of the Launch for Leaders program.

Format

Live Workshop (In-person)

Duration

2 Days

Audience

Agency professionals with 8-15 years of experience
Only available for 4As members

Pricing

$1,750 per person
$1,000 per person if you sign up 2 or more people

"Launch for Leaders has been the most valuable training I have received as a manager. It was engaging and helped shift my perspective on what's possible in my position, while giving me real world tools to address the issues and complexities I deal with daily in my role."

Martin Maisonpierre,

Managing Director, WH Inc.

I loved the 4A's Launch for Leaders Training! Mark Strong is an amazing presenter and is very knowledgable of our industry's challenges and solutions. I found great value in the class that is relatable for my current role in Post Production within the agency. I would highly recommend this training to anyone who is in a supervisory/leadership role within an ad/media/digital agency! Thank you so much.

Jennifer Eirea, Head of Studio, Alma DDB

The Launch for Leaders program surpassed my expectations. I left equipped with tactical skills to incorporate into my agency role the very next day. I found myself texting with my leadership team saying, we need to try this and that during the program itself, this program has teeth!

Alex McInnis, the President of Murder Hornets

Launch for Leaders has been by far the most helpful, actionable, and energizing professional development workshop I've ever attended. We covered such a wide range of topics and tools that have equipped me to grow and help my team and agency do the same.

Lillian Goodman, Account Supervisor at Walrus

I am inherently suspicious of overly effusive testimonials, but spoiler alert: I'm about to write one...The information Mark provided was relevant, insightful, and immediately actionable. His tactics and techniques focus on key areas for maximum impact. As a facilitator and coach, he is empathetic, confident and entertaining, and very honest. He isn't afraid to be vulnerable, share personal successes/failures as learning experiences, and engage in discussion, inviting push back and honoring different points of view. The small group discussions were so valuable, as participants had shared - and different - lived experiences in the industry. I left feeling motivated and empowered.

Christina Rogers, Director of Content, Luquire

The next cohort is TBD

Click here if you are interested in this program.

The program covers leadership development in four key areas:

Leading the Business

We explore the roles and responsibilities of an effective leader, developing a broader perspective, establishing and executing strategic organizational priorities, managing profitability, and creating an inclusive and motivating culture that supports great work.

Leading Growth

We take a deep dive into growth – looking at organic, reactive, and prospective new business growth strategies as well as growth through the lens of recruiting, hiring, and retaining world-class talent.

Leading Clients

Using a difficult client scenario from the case, we cover all aspects of client leadership from understanding clients, building and expanding relationships, leading clients forward, developing account optimization plans, and selling transformational ideas.

Leading People

In this section, we cover critical people skills such as setting meaningful performance goals, providing effective feedback, collaboration, coaching for better results, dealing with difficult people, and handling conflict.

Learning Outcomes

Through presentations, breakout sessions, and discussions, participants will be exposed to the principles of effective agency leadership as well as different points of view, best practices, and practical application of what they learn. Each participant will leave with templates and drafts of the following:

An organic growth plan
An account optimization plan
A personal profile to inform their leadership behaviors
A relationship map to expand their influence
A creative scorecard to drive better work
A client buying dossier to improve likelihood of selling ideas/strategies/fees to clients
A focused development plan for continued learning

Meet the Facilitator

Mark Strong

Mark spent 25 years working at boutique and global ad agencies such as Fallon and McCann in many roles ranging from EVP, Chief of Staff, Director of Business
Development, Director of Account Management and Director of Learning. In 2004, he started Strong Training & Coaching to help people get strong at work, so they can be strong in life.

He takes an action-centered approach to coaching & training, providing clients with tools they can use now to maximize their impact. While Mark is serious about
delivering results, he doesn’t miss an opportunity to infuse humor into his engagements knowing that ultimately, if it’s not fun, it’s forgettable.

As a coach and trainer, Mark has significant credentials from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC), Corporate CoachU, and The Institute of Coaching at McLean/Harvard Medical School and is a certified practitioner of DiSC.

Mark's favorite quote is “Always be learning”. In another life, Mark is a comedic actor. In this life, Mark calls Minneapolis home.

Launch for Leaders

Launch for Leaders