S4 Ep8: Why The Best Advertising Should Stir The Pot with Mark Shanley

Guest Mark Shanley, creative director of Adam and Eve DDB talks us through his impressive career journey, from his early days in Dublin working at DDFH&B to handling major global campaigns for brands like Nike, Bud Light, and Amazon at Wieden and Kennedy in London. We kick off the episode with Marks Career Journey, his beginnings at DDFH&B in Dublin and his transition to London. Mark shares stories from his time at DDFH&B, including working on memorable ads for Fyffes bananas and collaborating with talented creatives. Mark talks about his move to London, his desire to work in top agencies, and the creative opportunities that led him to Wieden and Kennedy. We discover the challenges faced working on high-profile campaigns and how perseverance and hard work paid off, leading to successful ad projects for Nike and others. Mark reflects on the unique culture at Wieden and Kennedy, the intensity of working with prestigious clients like Nike, and the lessons learned.Before he transitioned to Adam and Eve DDB, he had hesitations about working in another agency, but he did join and was involved in some amazing campaigns like John Lewis home insurance ad, with a massive public backlash, that led to a 48% increase in sales. We talk about how a strategic pivot turned it into a memorable and successful ad. Conor and Mark delve into the impact of AI on the creative industry, its current limitations, and the potential future for AI in advertising. A wonderful episode with one of Ireland’s top creatives. 

00:50 Mark's Move to London and Widen & Kennedy

01:15 Campaign Highlights: Nike and More

01:53 Creative Work and Collaborations

03:43 Ambitions and Global Work

12:23 Burnout and Rediscovery During the Pandemic

21:28 Pro Bono Work and Special Olympics Campaign

23:09 Joining Adam and Eve

23:25 First Projects and Initial Challenges

24:00 The John Lewis Home Insurance Ad Controversy

26:35 Pulled Ads and Their Impact

28:24 The Pot Noodle Slurp Campaign

31:52 Adapting to Feedback and Making Changes

39:47 The Role of AI in Advertising

45:56 The Importance of Staying Current

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.