Greg Hahn hosts Steve Stoute, Founder and CEO of Translation, the highly awarded creative agency. They discuss Steve's transition from music to advertising, the evolving landscape of advertising, revolutionizing football communication with 5G Helmet, a generous act with Jay Z's new marijuana company, selfless leadership in the industry, and the importance of talent and relationships.
The importance of bridging the gap between advertising and culture to create conversations with lasting impact.
The need for a clear and differentiated company culture to attract and retain talented individuals in the advertising industry.
Deep dives
The power of creativity and culture in advertising
In this podcast episode, Greg Hahn, co-founder and chief creative officer of Mischief, interviews Steve Stout, founder and CEO of Translation, a highly awarded creative agency. They discuss the importance of creativity and culture in advertising, highlighting the need to go beyond traditional ads and create conversations that have a lasting impact. They share examples of work that have successfully bridged the gap between advertising and culture, such as the Beats by Dre campaign and the AT&T helmet for hearing-impaired football players. They emphasize the value of authenticity, genuine belief in ideas, and the ability to passionately articulate your perspective when it comes to pitching and closing deals.
Building a strong company culture and attracting the right talent
Steve Stout and Greg Hahn discuss the challenges and importance of building a strong company culture. They emphasize the need for a clear perspective and differentiation in the advertising industry. They highlight the value of attracting and retaining talented individuals who align with the company's unique culture. They share their experiences with hiring and the impact of bringing in individuals who may change the culture. They also discuss the benefits of encouraging employees to pursue their passions and hobbies through initiatives like the 'majors and minors' program, which allows employees to explore their interests and share their experiences with the company.
The power of belief in yourself and your ideas
Steve Stout shares his perspective on the power of belief in oneself and their ideas. He emphasizes the importance of passionately articulating your perspective and genuinely believing in what you are pitching or selling. He highlights the role of a strong personal brand and the ability to connect with others on a genuine level. Steve explains that this genuine belief in oneself and their ideas can overcome the common "no" response and create opportunities for success. He also discusses the influence of past successes and the positive reputation they can build, reinforcing the belief in oneself and attracting others.
Shifting the perception of the advertising industry
Steve Stout and Greg Hahn discuss the need to shift the perception of the advertising industry from solely selling products to creating meaningful work that can change lives. They believe that advertising agencies should focus on solving real problems and making a positive impact on culture. They emphasize the importance of showcasing work that goes beyond marketing and demonstrates the power of creativity and strategic thinking. By highlighting examples like the Beats by Dre and AT&T campaigns, they aim to challenge the notion that advertising is solely about selling and show that it can be a force for positive change.
GUEST HOST: Greg Hahn, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Mischief. In 2022, less than two years into its existence, Mischief was named Agency of the Year by AdAge, Agency of the Year by Campaign US, and the second most innovative agency by Fast Company. In 2023, Adweek named Mischief US Agency of the Year.
GUEST: Steve Stoute, Founder and CEO of Translation, the highly awarded creative agency that’s been connecting the world’s most famous brands to culture through sports and entertainment for nearly two decades. Prior to founding Translation in 2004, Steve was an exec at Sony Music and Interscope. He produced albums for Mariah Carey and Nas. He executive produced the Academy Award–winning “8 Mile”, film and soundtrack. He's been inducted into the Advertising Hall of Achievement, recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, and been named AdAge’s Executive of the Year. Steve is the author of the New York Times Best Seller, 'The Tanning of America,' which was made into a four-part VH1 documentary.
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