The Immortal Life of Agencies ITG’s CEO: The AI-enabled creative renaissance – Andrew Swinand
Oct 7, 2025
In this conversation, Andrew Swinand, CEO of Inspired Thinking Group and a former Publicis executive, shares insights on the fusion of AI and creativity. He discusses how AI won't replace human creativity but instead facilitates a new creative renaissance. Andrew highlights the challenges traditional agencies face in adopting AI due to the Innovator’s Dilemma. He also emphasizes the importance of operational AI in scaling content while keeping the human element in creativity intact. Expect a deep dive into the evolving landscape of content production and agency innovation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
AI Enables, Doesn't Replace Creativity
- Andrew Swinand argues AI won't replace human creativity and brands need emotional connection that only people can craft.
- He positions ITG to automate production so creative ideas can be translated and scaled consistently across channels.
The 66,000 Assets Example
- Andrew recounts a client producing 66,000 assets yearly where only 30 were new concepts and the rest repetitive localization work.
- He used this example to show why designers shouldn't spend time resizing banner ads when automation can handle it.
The Holding Co. Innovator's Dilemma
- Swinand explains holding companies face the innovator's dilemma: existing FTE-based revenue resists efficiency-driven disruption.
- He notes innovation needs capital and dev investment that PE/VC can better provide during margin pressure.
