Check Out Andrew Salzbrun’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Salzbrun.

Hi Andrew, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve spent most of my career exploring the intersection of culture, creativity, and community, and how those things can fundamentally change the trajectory of a city.

I’ve always been drawn to the idea of building things that bring people together. Early in my career, I became fascinated by how creative ideas could influence not just consumer behavior, but the identity and energy of entire communities.

AGAR exists from the belief that creativity could be more than a marketing tool. It could be a catalyst for economic development, civic pride, and meaningful human connection. What started as a creative agency has evolved into a company working with brands, cities, and communities across the country to build experiences and places that matter.

Along the way, I co-founded BLINK, which has grown into one of the largest public art and light festivals in the world. It’s become a powerful example of what happens when a city embraces collective ambition and uses culture as a platform for transformation.

Today, my work extends across public art, experiential design, hospitality, and placemaking, but the underlying philosophy remains the same: I believe culture is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape how people experience, connect with, and ultimately invest in the places around them.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. I think one of the greatest challenges of entrepreneurship, particularly in the creative industries, is convincing people to believe in something that doesn’t exist yet.

We’ve spent much of our career challenging conventional thinking about what cities like Cincinnati are capable of. When you’re proposing ambitious ideas that don’t fit neatly into existing models, there’s naturally skepticism, resistance, and plenty of failure along the way.

Building AGAR has also meant navigating the constant tension between creative ambition and the realities of running a business. Learning how to scale a company without losing the curiosity, risk-taking, and creative spirit that made it successful in the first place has been an ongoing challenge.

But I’ve come to believe that meaningful progress requires a willingness to be uncomfortable. Some of our most successful projects were once considered unrealistic. The challenge isn’t necessarily having the vision; it’s building the relationships, trust, and collective belief required to make that vision a reality.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At my core, I’m a creative entrepreneur and city builder. Through AGAR, we work at the intersection of public art, experiential design, and placemaking, helping brands and communities use culture as a catalyst for connection, economic development, and transformation.

What makes our work different is that we don’t see creativity as decoration or entertainment. We see it as infrastructure. Something that can change how people perceive a place, how they interact with it, and ultimately, how they invest in its future.

BLINK is probably the most visible expression of that philosophy. What began as an ambitious creative experiment has evolved into an internationally recognized cultural event, attracting millions of visitors and generating hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact. But I’m equally proud of the less visible work, like transforming overlooked neighborhoods through public art, creating new gathering places, and helping communities recognize the cultural assets they already possess.

I think what sets us apart is our ability to move between big ideas and real-world execution. We’re not just imagining what a place could become; we’re bringing together the artists, businesses, civic leaders, and communities needed to make it happen.

Ultimately, I’m most proud that our work has helped change the way people think about what’s possible for Cincinnati. That shift in collective ambition is more meaningful to me than any individual project.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Curiosity. I’ve always been fascinated by how things work, why people connect with certain experiences, and what we can learn from the way other cities and cultures approach creativity.

I think curiosity creates the conditions for imagination, but collaboration is what turns imagination into impact. I’ve never believed the best ideas come from one person in a room. They emerge when you bring together people with different perspectives, talents, and ambitions around a shared vision.

My greatest strength has probably been recognizing possibilities that others might overlook and finding ways to bring the right people together to make them happen. I’ve learned that you don’t have to have all the answers, but you do have to be willing to ask better questions and surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theagar.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salzberrysteak/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsalzbrun/
• Other: https://www.blinkcincinnati.com/