What does it take to stay original in an industry obsessed with
trends, algorithms, and speed?

In this episode, we sit down with Bharath Adharsh, Creative Lead at StayVista an
ex-engineer turned storyteller who found his voice through language, not layouts.

From writing his first lines of copy to now leading a growing creative team,
Bharath reflects on a journey shaped by instinct, unlearning, and navigating the
blurry lines between strategy and storytelling. He shares what the industry often
gets wrong about creativity, why traditional agencies are losing relevance, and
how AI might get your tone but never your tension.

If you’ve ever felt torn between clarity and chaos, craft and content, this episode
will hit home. It’s a conversation about building brands, breaking molds, and
staying human in a world that’s increasingly automated.

In this episode,you will discover:

• Bharath’s journey from engineering classrooms to ad agencies, and eventually to brand leadership.
• Why language not design was his first creative tool.
• What it takes to grow from a solo creative to a team leader in a high-growth startup.
• His thoughts on the “post-agency” world and what brands really need from creatives today.
• Why tension is the heart of every story and why AI can’t replicate it.
• How to balance instinct with insight in your creative process.
• Why humility, obsession, and self-editing are underrated creative skills.

CONNECT
Find us at https://www.groundbreak.in
📩 [email protected] | [email protected]
Supported by Syqi → https://syqi.art

Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
01:38 – From Engineering to Copywriting: The Unexpected Pivot
04:20 – Language as a Starting Point for Creativity
07:05 – Learning on the Job: The Real School of Advertising
10:10 – Moving Beyond the Agency Model: A Brand-side Perspective
14:40 – Managing a Team: From Writer to Creative Lead
18:01 – Why Intuition > Trends
21:45 – AI and Creativity: What Can Be Automated (and What Can’t)
25:34 – Leading with Empathy in Fast Teams
30:16 – The Balance Between Chaos and Structure
33:29 – Tension Is Where the Story Lives
36:02 – How to Stay Original (Even When You’re Tired)
40:21 – Advice to Young Creatives: Clarity, Curiosity, Craft
44:05 – Final Thoughts: Why the Best Stories Are Still Untold