Escape From A Dysfunctional Business

MATT FISCHER, PRESIDENT, CURIOSITY ADVERTISING

• 1982-2001 in NYCAT&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

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

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

4Q 2008

• Business doing well

• All time personal low

• Felt trapped and frustrated

• Angry and embarrassed

• Found CEBI! (or CEBI found me)

DECEMBER 2008 - MY VIRGIN CEBI MEETING

• Not sure what to expect• Spilled my guts to complete strangers• Didn’t realize level of stress

• They listened

• Asked insightful questions

• Shared personal stories

• Cogent and actionable advice

• Encouraged me

CEBI FEEDBACK

• Admit self-deceptionsCannot change situationIf 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

MY TAKEAWAYS

• Business issues• Credit line• Breaking point for minority partners

MAD MEN - August 2009

• Explained developments• Received excellent advice

• Banks and credit lines• Potential legal needs and

path• Strategies and options• Confidence

MAD MEN - CEBI 3Q MEETING

• 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

MAD MEN - THE SPLIT

• Opened doors January 1, 2010

• Started with 3 clients• Staff of 9

THE BIRTH OF CURIOSITY ADVERTISING

• 10 Clients - National and local• 20 Staff members• Expect to be at 30 by end of

year

CURIOSITY ADVERTISING T0DAY

• Never been happier• Eternally Grateful for the advice

and support from CEBI

MATT FISCHER T0DAY