In 2025, the 9-person agency model is breaking down.
Leaders are overextended. Pipelines are shaky. And AI hasn’t delivered the leverage it promised. The result? A slow but clear movement: boutique agencies are either growing up or phasing out.
This week on The Digital Agency Growth Podcast, Nicholas Petroski of Promethean Research returns with brand-new data from one of the most comprehensive studies in the space. Based on insights from over 179,000 agencies, he lays out the 3 structural shifts shaping how firms operate, hire, and grow in today’s market.
Watch our latest video training, How to Take Charge of Your Agency’s Future Revenue. During this training, you’ll learn how we get qualified appointments every week using tasteful and highly targeted email outreach.
What we cover:
- Why the “stuck-in-the-middle” shop is disappearing
Most small teams are still in hero mode doing everything and struggling to scale. Nicholas explains why 25+ employees is the new line for stability. - How top-performing firms are using contractors strategically
Contractor usage is rising even among smaller teams. Learn how the smartest agencies are balancing cost, flexibility, and delivery capacity. - The real story behind AI’s promise (and letdown)
While some tasks have been streamlined, most agencies are struggling to make AI integration meaningful. Nicholas shares why and where there’s still upside. - Why specialization is no longer optional
The bar has risen. Being “industry-focused” isn’t enough today’s top firms bring insider-level expertise, and it’s changing how clients choose partners. - How uncertainty is driving smarter strategy
From hiring freezes to economic caution, Nicholas explains how agency leaders are planning differently and what that means for long-term growth.
Whether you’re rethinking your structure, adjusting your hiring model, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this episode offers a clear, data-backed perspective on what’s working now.
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
Learn more about The Digitial Agency Growth Podcast at https://salesschema.com/podcast/ and our Video training at https://salesschema.com/takecharge
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