Season 1 - #22 Aubrey Cattell, VP of Product, Adobe

In this episode, we welcome Aubrey Cattell, VP of Product at Adobe and a key force behind Adobe Spark’s evolution. Aubrey dives into his journey at Adobe and shares how Spark transformed from a startup concept into a major product empowering non-designers to create impactful visual content. We explore the role of Adobe Spark in the modern workplace, the shift towards hybrid and remote work, and the importance of building customer-led products. Whether you’re interested in product development, digital transformation, or the future of remote collaboration, this episode is full of valuable insights for tech professionals and business leaders alike.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 - Introduction to Aubrey Cattell and his role at Adobe
• 1:00 - Aubrey’s journey to Adobe and his work on Adobe Spark
• 3:00 - How Adobe Spark fits into the modern workplace and its role in visual communication
• 6:00 - The evolution of the workplace and the shift towards digital and remote collaboration
• 10:00 - Navigating digital transformation and remote playbooks at Adobe
• 13:00 - Embracing a startup mindset within a large enterprise like Adobe
• 18:00 - The role of asynchronous and synchronous tools like Zoom and CloudApp in digital collaboration
• 22:00 - The hybrid future of work and how companies can adapt
• 25:00 - Keeping the customer at the center of product development in a changing landscape
• 28:00 - Adobe’s initiatives to support small businesses during the pandemic, including extended free trials for Adobe Spark

Key Takeaways:

1. Visual Communication in the Workplace: Adobe Spark empowers non-designers to create impactful visuals, catering to modern businesses’ need for quick, effective, and digital-first communication.
2. The Hybrid Workplace: As companies transition back to physical offices, a hybrid model that balances in-person and remote work will be key to maintaining productivity and retaining talent.
3. Customer-Centric Product Development: Keeping a pulse on customer needs through constant listening and research helps Adobe Spark evolve, especially during the digital transformation accelerated by the pandemic.
4. Leveraging Enterprise Resources with a Startup Mindset: Adobe Spark's success is a result of operating with agility and customer focus, while strategically using Adobe's larger resources to scale efficiently.

Notable Quotes:

• "For those who want to communicate their ideas effectively, the shift is moving beyond text towards creating compelling visuals and impactful digital content."
• "The return to work will be phased, and we need to embrace a hybrid model that allows companies to recruit the best talent, wherever they are."
• "We are not in 'business as usual'—understanding and listening to our customers' needs has never been more important."