School of Agency is a specialist training and coaching practice that helps agency people grow.

We support teams to build the essential “agency life skills” that drive great work: client and account management, people leadership, business development, and more.


Created by former agency leader Mai Aristoteli, our programs are practical, energetic, and informed by 20 years of real-world experience.

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WHO WE’VE WORKED WITH

WHAT THEY SAY

  • “The team has been raving about the many ‘lightbulb moments’ during the two day course. Thank you for sharing your brilliance!”

    Chloe Fitzgerald - Business Director, Dentsu Creative PR

  • “Mai brings years of recent agency experience and a warm and professional approach to her training. She takes the time to get to know participants and tailors her training to meet them where they are at. I believe our team are in a much better position to deliver in their roles as as a result.”

    Susie Laurence - GM, Sabio

  • “Mai is the one of the best agency directors I’ve worked with. She’s pragmatic, empathetic and inspirational - a problem-solver and an opportunity-finder. Watch your business and your people thrive.”

    Tanya Hughes - Ex-MD, M&C Saatchi Talk

  • “The sessions were incredibly detailed, yet so easy to digest - thanks to the approachable, interactive and engaging training style. I really valued being able to get some practical tools that could be applied immediately. I feel much better prepared and more confident about my ability to do the job of Account Director.”

    Account Director - C7EVEN

  • “Extremely engaging. Very practical - was able to really absorb all the information. Loved the deep discussion among attendees.”

    Senior Account Director, Burson WPP

  • “Mai is just the best. She has the innate ability to bring out the best in people and teams.

    Andie Crawford - Sydney MD, Alt-Shift

  • “Coaching with Mai played a huge role in my professional development. I’d recommend her to anyone.”

    Senior Account Director & B&T 30 Under 30 winner

  • “Just wanted to reach out and say thanks (again) for the killer training. Being able to lean on what we learnt and practiced in your sessions has helped HEAPS, as I had my first difficult conversation with a direct report today. THANK YOU!”

    Account Manager - Dentsu Creative

  • “I thought the training was fantastic - it felt like work therapy! I learned so much that is incredibly helpful for performing well at an agency that you don't learn at uni or on the job. It was well delivered, engaging and helpful. I really valued receiving some key insights and ways of working from a clearly seasoned and polished agency professional.”

    Account Executive - Rowland

OUR STORY

Hello! I’m Mai Aristoteli, a former agency leader with 20 years’ experience across both network and independent agencies, including M&C Saatchi and McCann Worldgroup.

There’s truly no place like agency.

 We work in a fast-paced environment where, as we rise through the ranks, we’re expected to master an enormous range of skills — from client and account management to team leadership, new business, and all the curveballs that pop up in between.

School of Agency began in my agency days, with the nagging thought: why is it so hard to find decent training for my team?

Generic management courses never quite landed. They didn’t understand the realities of agency life — the pace and client dynamics, the creative problem-solving, and the mental load.

Developing my team was always my favourite part of the job, but even then, I could never find the time to do it properly.

So in 2023, I created School of Agency to fill that gap — offering interactive, thoughtful, and highly practical training delivered by someone who speaks the language of agency teams.

In the wonderfully frenetic world of agency work, talented people need — and deserve — support to thrive.

If you’re looking for tailored training designed specifically for agency life, I’d love to chat.

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