Confessions of a Creative Director

Donny Dykowsky is an accomplished musician, composer, songwriter and founder of The Ski Team –  a premiere production, custom music and sonic branding studio out of Jersey City, New Jersey. His work has garnered Lions, Pencils, Clios, Webbys, Sundance Premiers, and is on permanent display at the MOMA. Check out our amazing conversation where he shares some hot tips that Creative Directors can use when working with a composer or custom music producer.

Kevin Lynch is an accomplished Copywriter and Creative Director , whose with an incredible career that has taken him across the globe with stops in China and Sweden where he was most recently Creative Director at Oatly. Kevin has always made career decisions by asking: What stories will I be able to tell? and he’s here to share with us his 5 Principles for Finding Success in a non-linear career.

Aaron North was recently described as a marketing genius by the master marketing genius Ryan Reynolds for his work as CMO of Mint Mobile. And after our conversation, I would have to second Ryan's assessment. Aaron is here to give us a sneak peek at the multi-agency strategy and workflow that he's perfected to create Mint Mobile's amazing work.

Learn more about Aron here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aronnorth/

Brett Essman is a Creative Director extraordinaire Brett Essman from ad agency Preston Spire in Minneapolis Minnesota. Brett’s here to talk about being proactive as a Creative Director and looking for the opportunity to create big ideas in every brief And when you boil all that down, what he’s really describing is this idea of not becoming complacent but pushing yourself to go above and beyond. It’s about the grit and perseverance you need to get to do the work that makes you feel fulfilled. And what I love about Brett is that he’s not all talk, he’s got the case studies to back it all up.

Check out his work here https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettessman/

and here http://www.brettessman.com/

Today’s guest is Andres Fabian, a globe-trotting Dominicano creative director who has worked on three different continents for companies and agencies like Leo Burnett, Kelly Bluebook, Innocean and VMLY&R.

On this episode Andres discusses his experience as a Latino creative in the world of advertising.  It’s an important conversation we all need to hear, and we both share personal stories about the most outrageous things we’ve been told or overheard to the weird practice of code-switching to the need for real action around diversity in our industry.

This is can’t miss episode especially for people of color or under represented groups in our industry .

Fresh off her appearance at Cannes, Margaret shares her thoughts on the power of AI and how she's harnessing it to take GS&P to new heights in innovation.

On this historic 50th Episode of COACD we’re talking with the brilliant and super humble Greg Hahn Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Mischief @No Fixed Address which was recently ranked among the Top Three Best Agencies in the world by AdAge! 

He’s pulling back the curtain to share some of the guiding principles and philosophies that make Mischief such a magical, mystical and near mythical shop. Plus, we'll also get a glimpse of Greg the kid from Ohio who dreamed of becoming a guitar shredding god!

Ned Brown is CCO of Bader Rutter in Milwaukee and an accomplished pianist and songwriter. Over the years he's leaned how to apply concepts and processes usually reserved for music composition to help him generate fresh thinking for advertising campaigns.

"You won't promote yourself so how can you expect someone else to do it?" - Words of wisdom by the very talented and effervescent Joe Bird. Jo is an accomplished creative director, creative coach, mentor, speaker, photographer, and all around inspiring personality on LinkedIn. She's here to share a lesson she's learned along her journey about the importance of creating your own personal brand as a creative that will help you stand out from the crowd and build credibility.

Remote work….love it or hate it, it’s here to stay. That means leaders need to accept it, embrace it, adapt to it and keep on leading. On today’s show, we’re speaking to Patrick Holly, Executive Creative Director at Upwork who shares his 5 Keys to Effective Remote Leadership. And spoiler alert…it has zero to do with monitoring peoples computer activity and everything to do with just being a good human being.

Kevin is a self-proclaimed Creative Renegade. He is Executive Creative Direction & Founder of Juniper Jones which serves in-house agencies with insight driven creative & smile-producing content that challenges the status quo. And on the show, he will share his thoughts on how strong leadership and collective ownership leads to the best creative output.

It's important to have heroes in our business. People we can look up to, learn from, and even mimic while we search for our own voice. Chief Creative Officer Clarence Bradley, a self-proclaimed advertising nerd, had plenty of heroes coming up, but not too many that looked like him. But that didn't stop him from seeking out mentors and guidance he needed and in some ways becoming his own hero.

When we think of creative directors, we immediately think of people working in ad agencies. But there's a whole other world of CDs who are working on the client side, at design firms, marketing agencies, or at PR companies like my guest Nipa Eason. Nipa is a brilliant Creative Director from Tallahassee, Florida, who has been working exclusively in PR for the last several years, and she's here to share some things she's learned along her journey, specifically some misconceptions and misunderstandings that happen between the PR side of the house and the creative team at a PR agency. So if you're working in PR as a creative, you're going to want to pay special attention to this episode.

A fascinating conversation with a fascinating creative mind! Tom Christmann sees our world in a very different way. He's an evangelist for the use of found content and believes that we're already living in the Metaverse, where creativity is ripe for the picking everywhere you look. Prepare to have your mind blown several times during this wide ranging conversation.

Jordan Brady is the real f'ing deal! A former stand up comedian turned highly sought-after director, Jordan has directed over 1300 spots, 4 feature films, 3 documentaries, 1 Netflix Comedy Special and coined the phrase Bow-Chicka-Bow-Wow, true story! 

In this episode he shares tips, tricks and best practices for working with a commercial director as an agency creative director. Spoiler alert....make sure craft services has jicama, be patient and don't be a dick. 

To learn more about Jordan, including information about his film directing school, visit truegent.tv. 

George Tannenbaum's mind is filled with weird connections, colorful characters and an encyclopedic knowledge of the agency business. This wide ranging conversation is like a roller-coaster ride through the lessons he's learned about creating great work during a storied career that continues today with his one-mad-man shop GeorgeCo.  

Pitching (read: pitching and losing 90 percent of the time) is one of the hardest and most frustrating parts of being a Creative Director. We've been taught to believe that great ideas sell themselves. That couldn't be further from the truth. On the very first Confessions of a Creative Director Mastercast, pitch and presentation Yoda-like guru Ben Levy lets us in on the big secret....PITCHING THE WRONG F@#$%^& BRIEF WE ARE. 

Group Creative Director Mike Potter has been around the block. From building the first websites for some of the biggest clients in the world to helping build communities for brands, Mike has a passion for emerging technologies and disciplines. Check out our great conversation where we talk about everything from his Hit The Mascot ideation technique to ad agency hijinks of the past. 

Sarah May Bates is by far the most accomplished guest I've had on the show thus far. She is the ultimate multi-hyphenate renaissance woman. Check out this amazing conversation where we talk about everything from her personal journey to become her authentic self to auditioning to star in some of her own TV spots! You really have to listen all the way through.  

Will Chau is Vice President of Creative and Design at Whole Food Market. He and his team oversee and produce most every single touchpoint a consumer might have with the brand - from TV ads to social media to package design to in-store signage and everything in between. And while the former agency CD still gets a thrill from big campaign work he's come to really love and enjoy the nitty gritty detail work that drives a consumer's IRL experience with the brands. Enjoy this wide-ranging conversation on everything from lessons learned from a hard-nosed instructor to a confession about pitching new clients that will make you chuckle. 

Ty Stafford is the real deal. As ECD Content at NVE Experience Agency, he's helping take the historically experiential agency to new heights by leveraging the whole of his experience, from early breakout YouTuber to cutting his teeth at the iconic RedBull Media House to being named to the Forbes 30 under 30 in Marketing in Advertising. Listen to our amazing conversation and take special note of his big takeaway - YOU have the power to carve your own path in the creative industry. 

Ashley Davis Marshall...the name alone should tell you she means business. An ECD at The Martin Agency, Ashley shares valuable lessons and thoughts she's gathered along a journey that is the envy of any creative professional. Plus, three-quarters of her recipe for queso dip (hmmm, she left out her secret ingredient!) and a somewhat surprising realization about the possible cause of her imposter syndrome. 

Sonny Thomas, SVP Creative Director of PureRED, is a Renaissance Man. He's a designer, painter, musician, songwriter and all around cool dude. Check out our conversation on everything from the influence of his mentor, to techniques to quiet your brain before an ideation session to the strange new world of AI art. 

You wouldn't know it based on her down to earth vibe, but ECD Jaclyn Rink Crowley has a resume and career path any creative director, myself included, would kill (or at least slap someone with a tortilla) for. From Bozell, to Saatchi & Saatchi, to BBDO, to Silver and Partners to Weiden + Kennedy to most recently Anomaly in NYC. I mean...c'mon. Listen to this unvarnished, honest conversation that culminates with one of the best and most vulnerable confessions we've had on the show IMO. 

On the latest episode, Jaime talks to Creative Director and Founder of Ataboy Studios Vikkal Parikh, on everything from his love of assembling Ikea furniture to the importance of the Creative Brief and being technique agnostic. 

Check out a great conversation with CD Zach Connolly as we talk about everything from how to craft great concepts to ideas on how to amp up pitch presentations! You don't want to miss this one! 

Aaron Duffy is the ECD of SpecialGuest, a different kind of creative agency run by a different type of Creative Director. A talented "maker" at heart, Aaron brings that unique perspective to everything he does, and it's evident in his work for Google and the band OK Go just to name a few. Check out our awesome conversation as he shares his love of crocheting and illusions and what he dislikes most about being a CD. 

Check out my conversation with CD Brad Meyers as he shares his analogy of Creative Director as "Dad" and confesses to some harmless "set-lifting". Plus, the story of how he got to pitch ideas to Simpsons creator Matt Groening! 

It's never too late to become a creative. Just ask my guest Leigh Browne, CD at GSD&M in Austin, Texas. After spending a few years as a newspaper journalist in the boondocks of California, she decided to make a change. And as they say, the rest is history. She's gone on to win some big awards, create a Super Bowl Spot and help fan the flames of the great Chicken Sandwich Wars. Not too shabby for late creative bloomer. 

Joel Kaplan shares his journey from cook, to accountant to receptionist at an ad agency all the way up to ECD at M/H in San Francisco. I guess you could say he's a Joel of All Trades and Master of Creativity. Ok, that was bad. But this episode is freaking great! Hear his perspective on everything from the future of our business (hint: buckle up, it's gonna get faster!) to leadership lessons he's learned from Ted Lasso. 

On this episode, Jaime talks to Emily Neubauer of Horizontal Digital about her new journey as Associate Creative Director. Hear her Frozen 2 based thoughts on Design Thinking and the art of the client pitch. 

Here's someone you don't come across every day...a Grammy Award winning Creative Director! On this episode of COACD, I talk to VSA Partners' ECD Thom Wolfe, who shares his origin story as an album art cover and packaging designer (remember liner notes?) as well as how mimicking other creatives can help you develop your own talents and style. Plus, much, much more. Check it out and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast. 

If you're a Creative and you're not following the work of Chris Do....well, we may have to revoke your card. Chris is the CEO and Founder of The Futur, an online education platform with the mission of teaching 1 billion people how to make a living doing what they love. The Futur's YouTube channel is chock full of great free content for Creatives at every stage of their career and boasts nearly 1.8 million subscribers! And once you hear our in-depth conversation on everything from the iconic power of the branded T-Shirt to an insightful analogy of the creative process to a wedding tasting menu, you'll know why he is so beloved and influential.  

In our very first International Show from Mexico City, Creative Director Chelsea Obrien shares how she pulled off the near impossible in the agency world....A MOVE FROM ACCOUNTS TO CREATIVE....and even working on a Super Bowl Spot! Yes kids, dreams do come true. Plus, hear about how she has Uncle Conan on speed dial and her technique for crystallizing the big idea. Hint: It involves lots and lots of writing. 

Robb Burnham is a pure Creative. He's an artist, musician and storyteller who dreams of being a bartender when he retires from advertising. This episode is chock-full of wisdom, real-world insights and hands-down the best confession ever! Do. Not. Miss. It. 

On the show this week is Jaime's good friend and fellow Jack Morton alum Marc Herron. A Former touring musician turned marketer, he describes his journey from rocker to rock-n-roll strategist in this illuminating conversation. Plus, listen to a Marc Herron original song at the very end of the show! Don't miss it!  

Our very first ever Crossover Event! Listen to Jaime on Brandon Faris' podcast A Quick Read as he discusses the lessons and impact of the book The War of Art. 

My new friend, brother from another mother, fellow podcaster and ECD of Leap Agency, Brandon Faris shares all kinds of tasty nuggets regarding his creative process and how he inspires and provokes his team to produce big ideas. Don't miss this great episode and bring a pen and paper! 

A sense of humor goes a long way as an Executive Creative Director. My guest this week is proof of that. Josh Greenspan is an ECD at Strawberry Frog in NYC where he leads work for Walmart, Northwell Health and many other big names. Hear his funny yet highly insightful take on the world of advertising including his love of "the beautiful chaos" that is the creative process and his longing to hear the sound a recording studio door makes when it closes. This guy could have been a comedian and in fact, he's tried it! One of my fave episodes so far! 

Check out his work at joshgreenspan.com 

Executive Creative Director and former strategist Trish Rexroth shares her her unique perspective on how she uses the two sides of her brain to fuel her innovative thinking. And, talks about how managing is more like herding tigers than cats. Plus, hear Jaime share some exciting news at the top of the show. 

What does Mr. Rogers have to do with B2B Marketing? Turns out, everything. In this amazing episode, Creatives Cliff and Scott talk process, inspiration, teamwork and how a children's show changed the way they think about marketing.  

Leading from the emerging future while reading theory books on mushrooms and hacking Tomagotchis. Yeah. It's that kind of mind blowing episode. Enjoy my conversation with good pal and fellow songwriter Devin O'Neill.  

Gray hair, Spicy Ginger Beer, Multi-reality, Pintrest and Lycra. Just a few of the topics we cover in this wind ranging conversation with seasoned Experiential ECD Aaron Miller. 

From crushing sessionable IPA's to crushing creative challenges of all types, Jacina Serbalik is the next generation Creative Director. Hear us talk about a wide variety of topics including her thoughts on the creative process, her involvement in the AIGA and about pushing through the FFTs.