I’m thrilled to welcome back pitch and presentation expert Ben Levy for his encore appearance on Confessions of a Creative Director. Ben has a new book out called Stop Reading Slides: How to nail creative presentations and sell your best ideas. This book covers everything you need to know about the topic but today we’re going to focus on perhaps the most important part which is overcoming client objections. We've all been there. We present the best work of our lives....and the client just doesn't "get it" or thinks "it won't work."

In this lively discussion, Calvin Innes, Creative Director at JVM Nerd London, illuminates the exciting realm of pop culture trends. He dives into the 'kidults' phenomenon, where adults revel in children's culture, and explores how gamification is reshaping retail experiences. Calvin shares insights on authentic brand engagement with fandoms, the evolution of virtual worlds, and the role of gamification in finance and politics.Listeners also get a glimpse into nurturing creative talent in today’s fast-paced industry, making for an inspiring conversation!

On this episode I speak to Andrew Carty Head of Strategy and Glen D’Souza Head of Creative respectively for Forsman & Bodenfors Canada about their unique approach to integrating creative and strategy into what they call “The Product”. They’ll also touch on the importance of creative teams being involved early in the process, the tools they use to foster creativity, such as 'what if' statements and their innovative concept of 'flooring' work for peer review, and embracing the messy nature of the process to achieve impactful results for clients.  

In this discussion, David Levine, a Creative Strategist and Director with experience in music and science collaborations, shares his unique perspective on creativity. He introduces the idea of using 'hyphens' as a superpower to embrace diverse skills and adapt in creative processes. The conversation explores the art of collaboration, the importance of curiosity, and collecting 'weird dots' for inspiration. Levine emphasizes the balance between technical proficiency and personal style, encouraging listeners to explore creativity freely as they look ahead to 2025.

On this episode, Nick Sonderup, Co-Chief Creative Director of Strawberry Frog in New York City, shares his incredible journey in the advertising industry, including stints at MTV, Wieden+Kennedy, and BBDO. Then, we’ll dive into an exclusive preview of his forthcoming book, How Not to Hate Advertising, which is, in reality, a love letter to the business. The book emphasizes the importance of mentorship, navigating new technologies, maintaining empathy in client relationships, and finding fulfillment in your work.  

On this episode, I speak to Emily Jeffrey-Barrett, founder of Among Equals in the UK, a brand and campaign agency for people who want to make more than *just* money.   Emily shares her journey from working in large advertising agencies to one day realizing that her fear of not starting her own agency became bigger than her fear of actually doing it. That was the day she handed in her notice and jumped head-first into starting Among Equals during a global pandemic, no less. She discusses the challenges she faced and how she struck gold with her agency’s strategy of “start with no one cares.” If you’ve ever wanted to start your own agency this episode might change your life.

Matt Jones, a Creative and Brand Strategist with a rich background from Parliament to co-founding a successful gin brand, shares his unique journey. He discusses the overlap between politics and creativity, emphasizing the power of storytelling. The conversation delves into the importance of aesthetic execution in branding, showcasing the success of Four Pillars Gin. Matt also highlights how diverse experiences enhance creative thinking and the critical role of collaboration in executing impactful strategies.

Eric Segal, CCO of X&O, discusses the power of anonymity within his team of creative experts, revealing how colorful code names foster a unique culture that enhances collaboration and competition. He dives into the rise of fractional roles in advertising and the need for adaptability in agency-client relationships, arguing for flexibility over fixed roles. Segal also addresses the emotional biases in creative teams, advocating for self-awareness to enhance idea development and execution. His insights offer a fresh perspective on navigating the evolving landscape of creative consulting.

Christian Lachel, Chief Creative Officer of BRC Imagination Arts, shares his expertise in blending a brand's history with future innovations. He recounts his journey from the U.S. Navy to shaping iconic experiences like the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Venue. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling and emotional connections in branding. Lachel emphasizes using technology to create engaging brand experiences and discusses how historical narratives can drive both consumer loyalty and community engagement.

I’m excited to have Colin Jeffery, CCO of Doner and Co-Founder and CCO of Wolfgang, on the show today for a very interesting and timely discussion. Colin has worked for top agencies all around the world, from his homeland of South Africa to Singapore to the US, so I think it’s fair he’s seen a thing or two. And over the last several years, he’s spotted a distressing trend: advertising professionals falling out of love with advertising and the advertising world and I have to say, I don’t disagree with his assessment. But fear not faithful listeners, because he’s here to share a few actionable things we can do to reignite our passion and love for what I still believe is one of the best gigs in the world.