FMN: The fun business of PR & Influencing
An agency that in just two years hired more than 20 employees, acquired 70 clients and, above all, gave space to the ideas of young people in a toxic-free environment. This is the ultimate success story.
- 15/07/2025, 11:15
How can a new year’s party become the inspiration for an agency with influencer marketing, event planning, social media management, media planning and strategic consulting? In the case of FMN, this is exactly what happened, when its founder and former basketball player, Nikos Michalos, decided to transfer his sports knowledge to influencing, betting on the innovative and fresh ideas of young people.
The idea was born in 2014 by Nikos. Two years ago, FMN consisted of just two people. Today it is a team of 25 people, with women being the overwhelming majority. Mostly, the agency’s people are young, which means that opportunities for suggestions and initiatives are given. People who are diving into the deep end for the first time, but also cases of employees who are tired of corporate environments, where creativity and a fun atmosphere “die slowly”. At FMN, they have the freedom to express themselves, create and propose without any restrictions.
“I have made a bet, bringing my old basketball self to the project. I like to hang out with younger people who have a desire to create and who are not great players (to speak in sports terms). I would be bored with superstars anyway. But a team also needs a good manager, and I enjoy doing it.”
Followers and likes don’t count
The goal is to find new talent and content creators, without this necessarily translating into 5, 10, 20 or 100K followers, “I’m at a point where I now believe this and I convey it in my discussions with clients. I once withdrew from a high-figure collaboration due to bad behavior. Politeness and the space you are given are very important components of a good collaboration. I read somewhere that coolness is the new trend. I believe those who stand the test of time will be the ones who have eliminated toxicity”.
Moreover, going through the era of AI, the big bet is to continue to have content with people who have something to say and represent the values that FMN also advocates. Perhaps that is why it is chosen by more than 70 brands, through word of mouth but also through its own work. Today, substance is more important than image.
The dreams of its founder
“I would like to be able to do things only with my brother, although it is difficult, as he has 3 children, but sooner or later it will happen. I dream of a house in Elafonisos to hang out there with my best friend Panagiotis and watch basketball. I would also like to find the time to return to basketball, as a manager or coach. My dreams now concern my personal happiness.” However, speaking of FMN, what he would really like to happen is to see his employees stay at the company and acquire a stake there. “It is a lifelong dream of mine, because I know what it feels like to acquire something of your own at a young age”.
Nikos Michalos: The 3 life lessons he learned from FMN
- It’s a blessing to turn your hobby into a profession.
- Always leave customers wanting more.
- Happy moments at work bring happy moments in life.
Published in “White Paper: The Big Business of the South”, NouPou Media’s special edition spotlighting the current landscape and future prospects of the Athens Riviera.