In this episode, Robbie & Roger go on the scene in Denver, Colorado to gather intel from Anna Rogert (Acquia), Jamie Abrahams (FreelyGive), Paul Roetzer (Marketing AI Institute), and Dries Buytaert (Acquia / Drupal) about the Acquia AI Initiative, the new Source and Source CMS products, AI governance and security, and what AI means for agencies, the next generation of workers, and the future of the open web. Discover why this Drupal-led conversation is as much about business strategy and community collaboration as it is about technology.

Key Topics:

• Why 90% of enterprise AI projects fail, and how to be in the 10%
• The Acquia AI Initiative: what open, sovereign AI looks like for Drupal
• Source and Source CMS as Acquia’s AI-powered site builder play
• Reframing AI as “giving humans back time,” not replacing them
• Why governance, security, and the right experts in the room matter when shipping AI to production
• The shift from technical deep-dives to business-level AI adoption conversations
• Marketing AI Institute’s framing that we’re only halfway through the AI shift
• AI’s impact on employees, customers, and the next generation of students
• Breaking down the walls between WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, and other CMS communities
• Why owning your own website still matters when AI training data is the new currency
• Where agency marketing budgets, energy, and strategy are heading next

Timestamps:

00:00 - Cold open: AI is the topic, not just a topic

00:44 - Setting the scene: Acquia Engage Denver 2026

01:04 - Anna Rogert (Acquia) on her first Engage and the production value

01:21 - Dries Buytaert on the shift from one big Engage a year to a smaller traveling roadshow

01:43 - Jamie Abrahams on why 90% of enterprise AI projects fail

02:15 - Paul Roetzer (Marketing AI Institute) on a smart, challenging audience

02:53 - Robbie on AI being woven into every single talk

03:14 - Jamie Abrahams inside the Acquia AI Initiative: open, sovereign, community-driven

03:47 - Paul Roetzer on having the right experts in the room for AI governance

04:24 - Anna Rogert on AI giving humans back time, not replacing them

04:43 - Dries Buytaert: “My agents are very busy back in my hotel room”

04:56 - Business front-and-center: practicality over technical weeds

05:53 - Anna Rogert on Source, Source CMS, and why GEO/AIO is the agency hot topic

06:24 - Clearing up the “out of budget” misconception about Acquia

06:41 - Dries Buytaert on how Source lowers the barrier to running a Drupal site

07:14 - Paul Roetzer on Acquia’s security-first approach to AI

07:43 - Jamie Abrahams: AI is no longer a proof of concept, it’s shipping real value

08:45 - Why Paul Roetzer’s keynote and Marketing AI Institute course matter

09:54 - The one question Paul Roetzer wishes executives would ask sooner

10:47 - The conversation we’re not having: AI’s impact on the next generation

11:26 - AI is breaking down the walls between WordPress, Drupal, and other CMS communities

12:18 - Own your website: where do you think AI training data comes from?

13:24 - The marketing through-line from PressConf to Engage

14:02 - Closing optimism: find your energy and start collaborating

Resources & Links:

• Acquia Engage (https://www.acquia.com/about-us/events/acquia-engage)
• Drupal (https://www.drupal.org/)

How AI is Disrupting Modern Agencies with Brent Weaver

In this episode, Roger Williams and Robbie Adair sit down with Brent Weaver, CEO of E2M Solutions and founder of Vistara, to explore the seismic shifts AI is bringing to the digital agency landscape. Brent shares practical insights on how agencies can leverage AI for scaling, building trust, and maintaining profitability amid rapid technological change.

Main topics covered:

• The current AI revolution and its impact on agency operations — from offshoring to AI-powered workflows.
• How the "combine model" of generalists and specialists is reshaping agency service offerings.
• The importance of building trust and authenticity in an AI-driven business environment.
• Practical strategies for integrating AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT into client management and content creation.
• The shift from hyper-specialization to capability expansion—why agencies should think "mile wide, foot deep."
• The future of agency roles—builders versus orchestrators—and the rise of AI as an orchestrator.
• Why a focus on results over inputs (keywords, tasks) provides a competitive edge.
• The necessity of authentic client relationships and transparent processes in an AI age.
• Practical tips for managing Slack, and other organizational tools, to streamline agency-client communication.
• Personal finance tips for agency owners—saving for retirement with the "Double Down" strategy.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro - Mythos news

02:51 AI's Impact on Agency Operations

08:06 Comparing AI to Previous Tech Shifts

12:15 Implementing AI in Agency Services

17:40 The Role of Account Management in AI Agencies

22:12 The Future of Agency Roles in a Complex Landscape

24:54 The Challenges of Junior Developers

26:06 In-House vs. Outsourcing: The Agency Dilemma

29:15 AI-First Agencies: A New Paradigm?

32:23 The Race to the Bottom: AI in Digital Marketing

33:13 Rapid Fire Insights: Tools and Trends

38:32 The AI Revolution: From Science Fiction to Reality

41:22 The Role of Offshore Teams in AI Integration

42:10 Roger That

42:15 The Burden of Authenticity Debt

43:29 Navigating the AI Revolution with Honesty

45:09 Robbie’s Radar

45:15 Structuring Slack for Success

45:47 Effective Channel Naming Conventions

48:11 Optimizing Channel Participation

52:00 Managing Notifications and Client Communication

54:04 R&R

54:39 The Value of Hiring Help

58:11 Navigating Personal Finances

59:22 The Double Down Savings Strategy

01:02:23 Investing and Risk Assessment

Resources & Links:

• E2M Solutions – (https://e2msolutions.com/)
• Brent Weaver on LinkedIn – (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentweaver/)
• Vistara Event – (https://joinvistara.com/)
• N8N Automation Tool – (https://n8n.io/)

Upcoming Events:

• Vistara Conference in Austin, May 11-13, 2023

Note:

For the latest on AI tools and agency strategies, stay tuned to Agency Intel and follow the links provided!

In this episode, Robbie & Roger go on the scene in Phoenix, Arizona to gather intel from Raquel Manriquez, Adam Weeks, Rae Morey, Christian Taylor, Matt Swartz, Zack Katz, Emma Young, and Derek Ashauer about their insights on PressConf, highlighting the importance of community, personal growth, and adapting to technological shifts like AI. Discover how intimate gatherings and authentic conversations can foster resilience and innovation within the WordPress ecosystem.

Key Topics:

• The significance of personal growth and healing in business success
• Why PressConf's small, curated environment enhances networking and authenticity
• The role of community in navigating turbulence in WordPress and digital marketing
• The legacy and culture of WordCamp Phoenix and its community support
• How events foster grounding and collective resilience during community turbulence
• Conversations around AI as a team member versus a tool or threat
• The importance of lifestyle-friendly business structures
• Strategies for small teams to increase efficiency and adapt to AI-driven tools
• The value of in-person connections for deeper, meaningful business conversations
• Practical advice on managing work hours and mental health in digital agencies

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction: The purpose of PressConf and its community focus

00:40 - The intimate environment of PressConf and its benefits for networking

01:37 - The value of authentic, human-first interactions in conferences

02:31 - The conference's role in community healing amidst WordPress turbulence

03:55 - Unique, vulnerable conversations happening at PressConf

04:24 - The legacy of WordCamp Phoenix and local support for tech communities

05:44 - How Phoenix supports new and experienced community members

06:10 - PressConf's role in community grounding during WordPress turbulence

07:08 - Insights from agency owners on market shifts and organic marketing

08:32 - The importance of in-person connections and relationship building

09:54 - The serendipity and spontaneity of face-to-face meetings

10:24 - Addressing AI's impact on business and team efficiency

11:21 - Structuring a business around personal lifestyle and strengths

12:20 - Practical advice on managing work hours and mental health

Resources & Links:

• PressConf (https://pressconf.events/)