Skills
About
Co-Founder | Chief Strategic Officer | at Barrett Hofherr whose goal is to become the biggest small agency in the world. The job Matt takes on when working at marketing agencies throughout his career is to help both the agency and its clients be perceived in the best possible light. His career philosophy holds to the notion that he’s in the people business and his job is to set people up for success while also keeping things provocative, interesting, fun, and optimistic. Matt’s career experience includes being a managing partner at several award-winning advertising agencies including AKQA (an ideas and innovation company that specializes in digital services and products), TBWA/Chiat/Day (the American division of the advertising agency TBWA Worldwide), Direct Partners (an Omnicom data-driven digital marketing agency), Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners (a leading integrated creative advertising and marketing services organization), and the agency he co-founded MUH-TAY-ZIK / HOF-FER (a creatively driven, strategically inspired, full-service advertising agency).
Matt Hofherr
Published content
expert panel
From setting expectations to fostering collaboration, department leaders need solid strategies to negotiate freelance contracts that drive mutual success. Freelancers and contractors have become essential contributors to today’s flexible workforce. But managing those relationships requires a different playbook than hiring full-time staff. Department leaders must strike the right balance of collaboration, structure, and adaptability to build high-performing partnerships. To help, 13 Fast Company Executive Board members each share their best advice for negotiating freelance and contract-based work arrangements. Here's how they recommend handling your department's contractor agreements for mutual success.
expert panel
In today's digital landscape, a great podcast builds a following, sparks conversation, and earns repeat listeners. Launching a podcast is easy—building one people actually want to listen to is another story. With thousands of shows fighting for attention, success comes down to what you say, how you say it, and who you're saying it to. Strong production helps, but standout content starts with clarity, originality, and a clear connection to your audience. To help you create a series that lasts, 14 Fast Company Executive Board members share their best strategies for producing podcast content that engages, delivers value, and builds loyal listeners.
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Brand strategists should act more like creative instigators, not just data litigators.
expert panel
In unpredictable conditions, these leaders have found reliable ways to stay focused, energized, and clear-headed. The demands of leadership don’t pause when the ground shifts. For those guiding teams through uncertainty, staying present and motivated is vital to making sound decisions, maintaining team morale, and sustaining long-term momentum. In volatile environments, personal clarity can be hard for leaders to hold onto. To understand how experienced leaders maintain focus, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members share what keeps them steady and inspired. Their answers highlight the habits, values, and real-world reminders that help them lead through disruption without losing direction.
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May 22, 2025
Recognition is meaningless when people quickly grow bored with brands.
expert panel
For new leaders and entrepreneurs, success depends not just on innovation but on adaptability, resilience, and human connection. The modern marketplace is fast-moving, tech-driven, and constantly evolving. The business landscape looks a lot different than when today's top leaders first got their start, and the lessons they've learned along the way can help inform the leadership approaches of future executives and entrepreneurs. Below, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members share their best advice for the next generation of business leaders. From embracing failure to building authentic relationships, these insights can help rising professionals lead with purpose and thrive in an ever-changing world.
Company details
Barrett Hofherr
Company bio
Big is good. Big is capabilities, resources, and a deep bench. Big is global perspective and cool offices in places like São Paulo or Perth. Small is good, too. Small is speed and senior attention. Small is efficiency and treating every at-bat like there’s two outs in the bottom of the ninth. In the old world, circa March 2020, clients had to make a choice. In the new world, circa now, you don’t. Barrett Hofherr is both small and big. Smig, if you will. We have full-time employees in eight cities. We have best-in-breed partners specializing in everything from media buying to event planning to PR. And we do business around the world, through our relationship with TheNetworkOne. Big has its benefits. Small has its strengths. Like no other agency in the world, we’re committed to being both.