The Future of Independent Agencies: Exclusive Research from Infillion

What does it really take for independent agencies to survive and thrive right now? Infillion and the 4As went straight to the source, surveying and interviewing agency leaders across the country to uncover the truth. The findings are clear: independents are under more pressure than ever, yet they are also reshaping the playbook for growth. From the rise of AI and automation to reinvented service models and client demands, this research reveals the bold strategies agencies are using to stay independent, competitive, and indispensable. In this session, we were joined by Jennifer Barron from Infillion and Brandon Heagle from Stella Rising for an unfiltered look at the forces redefining the independent agency landscape.

Speakers

Jennifer Barron – VP of Marketing @ Infillion
Jennifer Barron is Vice President of Marketing at Infillion, where she leads brand strategy and thought leadership for the company. She brings more than 20 years of experience connecting research, storytelling, and market strategy to help agencies and brands translate insights into growth.

Her career spans senior roles at Condé Nast, Sandow, and Manifest, where she shaped programs across media, retail, luxury, and travel. She is the architect behind the Power of Influence study with KellerFay Group, and her perspectives on consumer behavior and media strategy have been featured in Retail TouchPoints and presented at leading industry conferences.

Known in the industry as the “Data Diva,” Jennifer has built a reputation for making research accessible, actionable, and impactful. She pairs analytical rigor with creative vision, helping marketers cut through complexity and focus on what truly drives business outcomes.

Brandon Heagle – Chief Digital Officer @ Stella Rising
Brandon Heagle is a visionary digital marketing executive, futurist, and innovation leader with over twenty-five years of experience in internet technology and digital strategy. As Chief Digital Officer at Stella Rising, he leads a team of more than fifty specialists across Programmatic Advertising, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Media, Analytics, and Retail Media. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding the agency’s capabilities in cross-channel and e-commerce performance, particularly for high-growth brands. His expertise lies in leveraging data to drive meaningful marketing decisions, aligning clients’ business goals with the evolving digital landscape.

Heagle is recognized for his forward-looking vision and ability to futureproof businesses. He piloted Stella Labs, Stella Rising’s in-house think tank, fostering a culture of innovation within the organization. Under his guidance, the agency launched several proprietary products including TokTrak, the world’s first dedicated TikTok rank tracking platform.

Prior to his role at Stella Rising, Heagle was the President and COO of Flying Point Digital, a performance-based digital agency specializing in retail and e-commerce. Under his leadership, the agency was acquired by Stella Rising in 2015. Heagle is also a co-founder and active advisor to Cross Pixel Media, Inc., a programmatic data and insights company that provides audience data to enhance online advertising.