[Top Agency Series] Hiring an Executive Team: Advice From Devon MacDonald of Cairns Oneil

Devon MacDonald is the President of Cairns Oneil, a full-service media agency specializing in strategy, insights, media planning, media buying, and analytics. As a seasoned leader, strategist, and marketer, he is passionate about helping clients achieve their business goals and reach their audiences. Devon has a background in technology, creativity, and media, which gives him a multi-faceted and builder's mindset to problem-solving. Before Cairns Oneil, he was the CEO of Mindshare Canada, one of the largest global media networks, where he led the Canadian operations and built a culture of trust, provocation, and inclusivity.

As an entrepreneur, managing a business at the top level alone can be an arduous task. In such a scenario, bringing in experienced executives, such as a president, can significantly enhance the operations of the company.

However, hiring an executive team as a founder is easier said than done. Most founders are reluctant to relinquish control of their companies, fearing that others may not possess the same understanding and expertise needed to run the business successfully. Fortunately, this was not the case for Devon MacDonald, the hired President of Cairns Oneil. He acknowledges that the founders' decision to empower him, relinquish control, and align shared visions and plans, among other factors, facilitated a seamless transition, thus making his journey as the president much smoother.

On this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Devon MacDonald, President of Cairns Oneil, to discuss how founders can successfully hire and retain executive teams. Devon shares his experience of being hired as the president of an established company, advice for founders wanting to hire a president, tips for empowering your executive team, and the value of having shared visions and plans. He also shares how Cairns Oneil leverages AI to grow the company and build a greater culture.