How Tiffany Rolfe of R/GA Owns It
This week on Own It we’re talking to Tiffany Rolfe from R/GA. She is the global chair and one of the new owners of one of the world’s largest and most successful agencies so this episode has a lot of value in it. Tiffany has recently touched work with Puma and Jay-Z, the ACLU and many more. She’s in the middle of leveraging influencers and creating strategic solutions at the intersection of storytelling and technology that lead to growth and cultural impact for her clients.
This was such an amazing conversion and you’ll enjoy getting to know her, her work and her perspective on the gender gap in agency ownership a lot.
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Key Takeaways
EPISODE: Tiffany Rolfe from RGA
1. The Value of Entrepreneurial Spirit and Hard Work | 00:11:20
Tiffany attributes her early understanding of the blend between business and creativity to her entrepreneurial father and her own hustling spirit from a young age. Growing up with limited means, she learned that hard work could compensate for what wasn't given, fostering a disciplined approach to both school and jobs. This drive for independence and control over her situation through earning her own money was a foundational aspect of her development.
2. Embrace Diverse Experiences to Become a Differentiated Leader | 00:47:27
Rather than always pursuing a direct upward trajectory, Tiffany emphasizes the importance of lateral moves and exploring different paths, like her transition from a traditional agency to a creative consultancy. This willingness to step sideways and take on new challenges, even when it means leaving comfort, helps in developing a broader skill set and a more valuable, differentiated leadership style. These diverse experiences, including learning to build culture and practice empathetic leadership, were crucial for her growth.
3. The Intertwined Nature of Creativity and Technology | 00:27:45
Tiffany's entry into advertising was through the burgeoning internet scene in the mid-90s, where she learned to apply her creative skills to designing websites and writing copy using new technologies like HTML and early Photoshop. She views creativity as inherently linked to technology and innovation, always seeking how new tools can be used to surprise and bring new experiences to people, rather than being confined to existing formats. This foundational understanding has shaped her career, making her agnostic to specific mediums and focused on solving problems in new ways.
4. The Significance of Agency Autonomy and Differentiation | 01:09:53
Tiffany highlights that "agency" for her means autonomy and the ability to make choices, especially for creative companies. In an era of consolidation, maintaining independence is crucial to defining a unique point of view, having a differentiated approach, and truly building meaningful brands. She argues that without this autonomy, the industry risks losing its soul and ability to attract new talent, emphasizing that the ability to shape their own path is vital for innovation and true value creation.
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