Embracing Independence: Eileen Rochford’s Path to Building a Successful Marketing Agency
The Harbinger Group’s CEO, Eileen Rochford, has extensive experience in the marketing agency sector, having worked for several large firms where she managed five-million-dollar accounts and teams nationwide during the early years of her career.
As her role transitioned to include more administrative responsibilities, she found herself spending less time on hands-on client projects that fueled her passion. In June 2003, Eileen decided to seek a professional change, take a chance, and start her own marketing agency, The Harbinger Group.
In light of The Harbinger Group’s 21st Anniversary, Eileen Rochford describes her thirty-year journey in the industry, including how she started her marketing agency and built it to where it is today:
Q: Why did you choose communications as your field of study and industry of profession? Was that something you always wanted to do?
A: I’ve always been drawn to journalism, particularly the kind of research and investigative side that I really like. I was good at asking questions and good at researching answers and piecing things together in written form. One summer, I worked on Capitol Hill for a congresswoman and was sent to all of these meetings.
I attended testimony being given in Congress, hearings, various commercial committees, and more. I found it enjoyable, and it wasn’t too difficult. After working as a state elections coordinator for the Associated Press and experiencing their high-pressure newsroom, I realized I didn’t want to continue that kind of journalism. A few professors suggested I look at PR agencies, which led me to the marketing agency life.
Q: Why did you choose to start your own firm? Why not try and advance within another company? What made you take that risk?
A: I knew early on that I wanted to do it myself. I liked the excitement of a big agency but envisioned a different way of working. The commute and office life felt restrictive; I wanted to live differently. Once I became a parent, the commute particularly rubbed me the wrong way. After nine years in large agencies, I decided to take my life in a different direction and started my own marketing agency.
Q: What have been your biggest milestones or accomplishments as a CEO?
A: Every time we’ve promoted our employees or major contributors is a milestone for me. We’ve done award-winning work for clients like Golden Apple and Powering Chicago through our marketing agency, which I’m quite proud of. Winning awards consistently against larger competitors is a significant accomplishment.
Q: What challenges have you faced being a CEO and a woman—and even a mom?
A: It can be intimidating in a male-dominated industry, but I never felt it hindered me. As a mother, saying no to more work was challenging because I wanted flexibility for my kids.
Q: How did you build the team around you today?
A: Many team members came from referrals within my network. Our internship program has also brought new talent into our marketing agency, emphasizing the importance of good relationships.
Q: What advice do you have for others trying to start their own business?
A: Just do it! The best bet is on yourself. Ensure you have a plan and structure in place before launching your marketing agency.
For the past 21 years, The Harbinger Group has been servicing companies nationwide with award-winning marketing techniques. Eileen Rochford has worked hard to build her marketing agency from the ground up while remaining dedicated to her craft and employees.
“The reason why this company was created is to empower great marketers to work in a different framework without the constraints of large agency models,” said Rochford. This revised version incorporates “marketing agency” throughout the text while maintaining clarity and coherence in Eileen Rochford’s narrative about her journey and accomplishments.“
The reason why this company was created is to, honestly, empower great marketers, to work in a different framework without the constraints of large agency models, and to do great work regardless of location, time zone, or personal commitments,” said Rochford. “It was also created because I felt that twenty years ago– and I still feel this way, I wanted to be a person who can step up and foster an environment where other women could advance and grow.”