Company: BubbleUp
Guest: Lee Totten
Year Started: 2004
Employees: 50-99
What does it take to run a digital agency that powers fan experiences for Jimmy Buffett, Foo Fighters, and The Lumineers? For Lee Totten, co-founder of BubbleUp, it’s all about delivering under pressure, staying grounded in fundamentals, and building a culture where solving problems is second nature.
In this episode of An Agency Story, Lee shares how BubbleUp evolved from a two-person startup to a 50+ person powerhouse at the intersection of technology and entertainment.
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Episode Summary
Lee Totten, co-founder of BubbleUp, joins Russel Dubree to explore the world of digital fan communities, high-volume website traffic, and building long-term client relationships in the entertainment industry.
Inside the episode:
- How BubbleUp navigates chaos from broken livestreams to surprise Saturday morning announcements
- The philosophy behind serving both artists and fans with empathy and speed
- What every agency can learn from the music industry’s obsession with audience connection
Key Takeaways & Lessons
Build systems that thrive under pressure
When you’re running livestreams for 100,000+ fans or launching surprise album drops, your tech stack better be rock solid. Lee shares how BubbleUp stress-tests every system and prepares for failure—so clients never notice.
Hire people who are smarter than you
“I don’t want to be the smartest person in the room,” Lee says. That’s his rule for building a strong team. Whether it’s developers, designers, or marketers, BubbleUp finds talent that can challenge the norm and solve problems without needing micromanagement.
Fan experience = business experience
BubbleUp treats music fans like VIP customers and it shows. From picking up the phone for support to creating live, shared digital moments, Lee believes business owners should ask: How many meaningful experiences are you creating for your audience—outside of a transaction?
Adaptability is your agency’s competitive edge
From early days coding custom CMSs to pivoting into livestreams during the pandemic, Lee’s agency has thrived by moving fast and embracing change. “It’s not about the tool—it’s about solving the problem,” he says.
Show Notes & Resources
- Live From Daryl’s House – The award-winning concert series produced by BubbleUp
- The Jager song and more info about Lee
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