Ryan Kutscher, the US-born founder, and chief executive officer (CEO) of Circus Maximus, is the mind and heart behind the creative services agency based out of New York. With more than 15 years of experience as a creative head, Kutscher is one of the most influential voices in the marketing sector, contributing regular columns and giving interviews to esteemed publications. Kutscher has a background in economics but quickly realized that a career in writing and creative direction was his true calling. 

With Circus Maximus, Kutscher and his team help companies across sectors—including health tech, personal care, and food & beverage—build their brand, write content, and produce it. The agency provides strategic narratives to brand stories and creates content to support them. 

Circus Maximus works with global brands like P&G, cult brands like Shake Shack and La Colombe, as well as ambitious and fast-growing start-ups like Ro, TripActions, and Justworks. Kutscher believes in the power of measurement and that delivering on promises is the mantra for success. He takes immense pride in turning an idea into a successful business.

In this exclusive interview, Kutscher shares his background, work, success mantras, and what makes him one of the most exciting people to follow.

Q. Can you tell us about your background and how it led you to where you are today?

I'm Ryan Kutscher, the founder, and CEO of Circus Maximus. I'm from the Northeast, Tristate, New York area. I lived in many places but now call Texas home. 

I went to school for economics, but my career has been as a writer and creative director. I've always enjoyed learning new things and, frankly, making my life a lot harder than it needs to be. 

Q. Can you share with us your experience with Circus Maximus? What does it do, and what is its unique value proposition? 

We are a creative services agency that helps brands get their stories straight and tell them interestingly. We work with brands in the B2B, health tech, personal care, and food & beverage categories.

We build their narrative, write their content, and produce it. We work with global brands like P&G, cult brands like Shake Shack and La Colombe, as well as ambitious and fast-growing brands.

We are about 25 people. We split our services between strategy, creative development, and content production.

Q. What is your mantra for success?

You can't improve what you can't measure. Do what you say you’re going to do (As told to AdWeek in December 2020).

Q. What is something you’re most proud of in your career?

Turning an idea into a business and sticking with it. Fighting to make it work. Making the decision to build a world-class agency and now having won small agency of the year a handful of times and feeling like we're on our way. 

Q. Can you share with us a business or company you admire and the qualities that make them stand out to you?

I am a big fan of anyone who turns nothing into something in the business world. It's an alchemy that always stays young. It's always so interesting to see how different people do it. 

Q. Can you recommend something to our readers and explain why?

Ok, one work and one play. 

WORK: Notion. It's an organizational software that will help you manage your insane life. 

PLAY: A genius at the apple store recommended a TV show called The Great on Hulu. And it's terrific. It breaks every rule about a historical period piece and works so well. It makes me so happy to see someone have a very challenging creative idea and execute it flawlessly. 

Q. Where can people find you and your business?

Ryan Kutscher on LinkedIn and circusmaximus.com