<div class="gn-article"><div class="gn-hero gn-reveal"> <div class="gn-hero__image"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/687a235da6861294eec73166/68a7496c472c0dedde95c1ba_651d3d4807d6e4f2a8e67e02_6447dab8db658a5d82e83549_PNG20Rick%2520Headshot.png" alt=""></div> <div class="gn-hero__head"> <span class="gn-kicker"><span class="dot"></span>Network</span> <h1 class="gn-title">How to Run an Agency with Rick Tobin – Founder and Managing Director of Circus PPC Agency</h1> <div class="gn-meta"> <strong>The GO Network</strong> <span class="pip"></span> <span>25 April 2023</span> <span class="pip"></span> <span>1 min read</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="gn-body"> <p class="gn-lede gn-reveal">What are the challenges agency leaders face, and <strong>how do they overcome them?</strong> How have the events of the past three years affected the way that agencies have learnt to survive?</p> <p class="gn-reveal">With the launch of their new blog series - '<strong>How to Run an Agency</strong>', <a href="https://circusppc.com/"><strong>Circus PPC Agency</strong></a>'s Founder and Managing Director, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-tobin-b822907/"><strong>Rick Tobin</strong></a>, shares the lessons learnt, challenges faced and milestones achieved that have led to the development of an award-winning business still going strong 14 years later.</p> <p class="gn-reveal"><strong>Rick</strong> addresses the <strong>common misconception</strong> that running an agency is more work, or harder work, than working alone as a consultant:</p> <blockquote class="gn-blockquote gn-reveal">"At the end of the day, everything is work. Running an agency is different work, as I'm working at more of a top-line level, looking after the team, and adopting more of a strategy-led role for the agency. In fact, in the long run, it should be less work, as we would've managed to cultivate the agency we want to be, with everyone working harmoniously and in a way that suits us to deliver great results."<cite>Rick Tobin · Founder and Managing Director, Circus PPC Agency</cite></blockquote> <p class="gn-reveal">On the <strong>biggest lessons he has learnt</strong> as an agency leader, <strong>Rick</strong> says:</p> <aside class="gn-quote gn-reveal"><q>By far the most important lesson I've learnt from running an agency is to always look after your people, your team. Numbers are important, but people are more important. I've also learnt not to compare ourselves to other agencies. Everyone works in their own way, and what might be successful for one person, could fail for another.</q><cite>Rick Tobin · Founder and Managing Director, Circus PPC Agency</cite></aside> <p class="gn-reveal">Read more on the <strong>Circus PPC</strong> website - <a href="https://circusppc.com/how-to-run-an-agency-part-1/">Part 1</a> and <a href="https://circusppc.com/how-to-run-an-agency-part-2/">Part 2</a></p> <p class="gn-reveal"><strong><em>The GO Network</em></strong><em> is a free-to-use marketing intermediary, connecting in-house marketers with vetted agency partners that can help solve your challenge. If you're looking to review or take on support, </em><a href="http://www.thegonetwork.com/get-in-touch"><strong><em>let us know here.</em></strong></a></p> </div></div> <aside class="gn-related gn-reveal" data-auto="related-reading"> <div class="gn-related__label">Related reading</div> <ul class="gn-related__list"> <li class="gn-related__item"> <a href="/articles/member-blog-from-hiring-humans-to-building-ai-agents" class="gn-related__link"> <span class="gn-related__category">Network</span> <span class="gn-related__title">Member Blog: From Hiring Humans to Building AI Agents</span> <span class="gn-related__excerpt">After 20 years in hiring, one agency leader built an AI app in four hours. Here&#39;s what that reveals about which human skills automation can&#39;</span> </a> </li> <li class="gn-related__item"> <a href="/articles/iwd-what-diversity-looks-like-for-your-business-in-2022" class="gn-related__link"> <span class="gn-related__category">Network</span> <span class="gn-related__title">IWD: What Diversity Looks Like For Your Business In 2022</span> <span class="gn-related__excerpt">Beyond hiring targets, diverse agency teams drive 19% more revenue. The GO Network outlines what true inclusion looks like and how to make i</span> </a> </li> <li class="gn-related__item"> <a href="/articles/build-a-brand-for-the-market-not-the-marketing-team" class="gn-related__link"> <span class="gn-related__category">Network</span> <span class="gn-related__title">Build a brand for the market, not the marketing team.</span> <span class="gn-related__excerpt">Internal opinions kill great brands. Discover why market research and customer insight, not leadership ego, should drive every rebrand decis</span> </a> </li> <li class="gn-related__item"> <a href="/articles/livin-the-agency-life-tips-on-how-to-start-out-in-the-digital-marketing-world-by-flaunt-digital" class="gn-related__link"> <span class="gn-related__category">Network</span> <span class="gn-related__title">Livin&#39; The Agency Life: Tips On How To Start Out In The Digital Marketing World By Flaunt Digital</span> <span class="gn-related__excerpt">Flaunt Digital&#39;s Laura shares her real agency journey, the accounts to follow, roles to seek out, and the tips that fast-track your first di</span> </a> </li> </ul> </aside>