[Listen to the interview above, or via Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.]

I think she might be the future of advertising.

Ashley Rutstein (LinkedIn, Website) showed up in my TikTok algorithm a few years ago with consistent, thoughtful, and wise insights about the business of creativity and practice of advertising. She’s turned StuffAboutAdvertising into a wonderful resource for current campaign reactions, brand strategy perspectives, career advice, and creative briefing techniques in this chaotic age. Her output is impressive. 111k followers seem to agree.

“I love dissecting creative. I also really want to educate.” - Ashley Rutstein

In this interview we talk about how Ashley developed her voice as a writer, the challenge of unearthing useful strategic and creative insights, and of course, the influx of AI and the impact of platforms like TikTok. As Ash puts it, “I always encourage [people] to just try whatever new thing has popped up.” Fluency in whatever’s new matters—it gives you credibility.

“You don’t get to say yes or no if you don’t know what this platform is about.” - Ashley Rutstein

Never mind the IPG/Omnicom merger. What’s really transforming the role and evolution of advertising in the world of business and culture are creators like Ashley leveraging the latest technology. Make no mistake—she’s coming from a place of deep respect for the history of the industry’s craft. She embodies Bernbach’s Paradigm. Ashley’s grounded in the nuances and art of strategic techniques. But she also grew up making lots of YouTube videos because she could. She’s lived completely and successfully in a realm minus the traditional gatekeepers. She’s teaching us how to operate in a world that’s dismantling the status quo. And I admire her for wanting to evangelize her experience and reality to the next generation.

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