Snapchat CMO on fixing social media, being creative leader of the decade and lessons from Dan Wieden - Colleen DeCourcy
May 8, 2024
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Colleen DeCourcy, Chief Creative Officer at Snap, talks about her time at Wieden+Kennedy, the challenges of Snapchat, creating happiness in social media, and what it's like working for Evan Spiegel. She reflects on lessons from Dan Wieden, being a creative leader, and offers advice to young marketers.
Colleen's journey highlights the power of creative expression in advertising.
Snap promotes happiness and authentic connections, diverging from ad-driven platforms.
Deep dives
Colleen's Journey Into the Creative Industries
Colleen DeCorsy shares her inspiring journey into the creative industries, reflecting on her unconventional path and early influences that propelled her towards a career in advertising. Despite initially aiming to be a journalist, she found her passion in advertising, recognizing the power of creative expression. Colleen highlights her experiences at top companies like Wieden+Kennedy and her impactful role in shaping the digital landscape during its early days.
Recognition and Impostor Syndrome
Discussing her internal struggles with imposter syndrome, particularly as a woman in the industry, Colleen opens up about receiving prestigious awards like Creative Leader of the Decade. She sheds light on the significance of being recognized for her long-term performance and leadership, emphasizing the evolving role of creative leaders in driving business transformations and elevating creativity beyond traditional boundaries.
Navigating Ethical Dilemmas and Values
Colleen recounts a pivotal moment during an interview where she candidly expressed concerns about ethical issues related to her agency's work. This transparency led to professional repercussions, highlighting the challenging decisions faced when aligning personal values with corporate responsibilities. She emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's principles, even when it results in difficult choices and potential consequences.
Snap's Mission Towards Positive Impact
Transitioning to her role as CMO of Snap, Colleen reflects on the profound impact social media platforms have on society, especially among young users. She outlines Snap's commitment to promoting happiness, authentic connections, and community engagement, contrasting it with the prevalent ad-driven models focusing on negative emotions. Colleen underscores Snap's unique approach to prioritizing user well-being and fostering meaningful interactions in an evolving digital landscape.
Colleen DeCourcy is the Chief Creative Officer at Snap, having previously spent over a decade at Wieden+Kennedy as co-president and Chief Creative Officer, working on some of the largest brand accounts in the world. In this episode we talk about Colleen's time at W+K, some of her favourite quotes from Dan Wieden and how she's now tackling brand at Snapchat.
Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 01:22 - Colleen DeCourcy background 03:30 - Winning creative leader of the decade 06:30 - Colleen’s tenure at Wieden+Kennedy 13:50 - The TIME Interview 18:39 - From retirement to joining Snapchat 21:56 - The challenges of Snapchat 26:49 - Creating happiness in social media 30:02 - The 3D Chess of Being CCO and CMO at Snapchat 36:12 - What’s it like working for Evan Spiegel 39:07 - Advice to young marketers from Colleen DeCourcy
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