School of Agency is a specialist training and coaching practice that helps agency people grow.

We help practitioners build essential agency skills — client service, business development, and people leadership — through practical learning that’s designed for the realities of agency life.

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WHO WE’VE WORKED WITH

WHAT THEY SAY

  • “The team has been raving about the many ‘lightbulb moments’ during the two day course. Thank you for sharing your brilliance!”

    Chloe Fitzgerald - Business Director, Dentsu Creative PR

  • “Mai brings years of recent agency experience and a warm and professional approach to her training. She takes the time to get to know participants and tailors her training to meet them where they are at. I believe our team are in a much better position to deliver in their roles as as a result.”

    Susie Laurence - GM, Sabio

  • “Mai is the one of the best agency directors I’ve worked with. She’s pragmatic, empathetic and inspirational - a problem-solver and an opportunity-finder. Watch your business and your people thrive.”

    Tanya Hughes - Ex-MD, M&C Saatchi Talk

  • “The sessions were incredibly detailed, yet so easy to digest - thanks to the approachable, interactive and engaging training style. I really valued being able to get some practical tools that could be applied immediately. I feel much better prepared and more confident about my ability to do the job of Account Director.”

    Account Director - C7EVEN

  • “Extremely engaging. Very practical - was able to really absorb all the information. Loved the deep discussion among attendees.”

    Senior Account Director, Burson WPP

  • “Mai is just the best. She has the innate ability to bring out the best in people and teams.

    Andie Crawford - Sydney MD, Alt-Shift

  • “Coaching with Mai played a huge role in my professional development. I’d recommend her to anyone.”

    Senior Account Director & B&T 30 Under 30 winner

  • “Just wanted to reach out and say thanks (again) for the killer training. Being able to lean on what we learnt and practiced in your sessions has helped HEAPS, as I had my first difficult conversation with a direct report today. THANK YOU!”

    Account Manager - Dentsu Creative

  • “I thought the training was fantastic - it felt like work therapy! I learned so much that is incredibly helpful for performing well at an agency that you don't learn at uni or on the job. It was well delivered, engaging and helpful. I really valued receiving some key insights and ways of working from a clearly seasoned and polished agency professional.”

    Account Executive - Rowland

FOUNDER’S NOTE

Hi 👋🏽 I’m Mai Aristoteli, founder of School of Agency.

In agency, high performers rise through the ranks quickly, often before they’ve had a chance to grow the professional life skills they need to thrive in a senior role – from leading high-stakes meetings with clarity and gravitas, having difficult conversations with team members, to creating space to step out of the weeds to think strategically.

As an agency-lifer and former GM, I know how incredibly rewarding the transition from “practitioner” to “leader” can be. I also know it can be tough at first! And that without the right mindset, tools, and support, even the highest performers can quickly feel overwhelmed as they grapple with their new responsibilities.

External training can help, but most don’t understand the realities of agency life – the fast pace, the conflicting client demands, and the constantly toggling between doing, creativity, and strategic thinking.

I created School of Agency to offer agency professionals the guidance I wish I’d had when I was “growing up” - through practical, interactive training in client service, business development, and people leadership, that’s designed for the realities of agency life.


If you’re an agency leader looking to upskill your team, or an agency professional looking for support with your development, please get in touch. I’d love to chat!