Call To Action

The art director’s art director, Dave is the architect of some of the coolest advertising you’ve ever seen – with a hit-list of iconic ads for everyone from Adidas to Volkswagen to The Economist. He’s also a champion for advertising with more wit and brains, expertly rummaging back through some forgotten ad masterpieces via his wildly popular blog and podcast, Stuff From The Loft. Finally, he’s the co-author of the excellent The Howard Gossage Show, a book created with another friend of CTA, Steve Harrison.

A guest so entertaining we genuinely forgot there was a running time, Dave shares the stories behind his most memorable campaigns, the lessons we can all learn from past masters, a philosophy that’s all about making ads people enjoy and his optimism for the creative future of the industry.

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Rummage around Dave's Stuff from the Loft

(05:00) - From Paperboy to Trying to Get a Job in Advertising

(08:04) - Creating His Own Ads

(10:25) - Changing the Approach to Cover Letters

(12:33) - Getting Interviews and a Foot in the Door

(20:03) - Being Bold and Distinct in Job Applications

(25:27) – Optimism and Naivety in Advertising

(30:02) - Challenges of Working with Established Brands

(31:18) - The Potential of Digital Advertising

(34:47) - The Origins of Stuff From The Loft

(36:58) - The Purpose of Archiving Work

(40:12) - Transitioning to a Public Archive

(43:10) - Accidental Evolution into Podcasting

(56:50) – Listener Questions

Dave's book recommendations are:  

A Self-Help Guide for Copywriters by Dan Nelken 

The Howard Gossage Show by Steve Harrison & Dave Dye

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The alphabetical genius behind the bestselling Self Help Guide for Copywriters, and his 5-star online course ‘Writing Under Pressure’, Dan has made it his mission to rescue writers and brands all over the world from the malign influence of the dreaded inner critic – a character that Dan describes, with characteristic politeness, as a ‘ding dong’.

The true Canadian king of creativity (shut your face Reynolds) Dan chats to CTA about the importance of creating stuff that’s just for you, the long-game of any creative career, how to gain and maintain creative confidence, and of course his own grapplings with an inner critic he calls Alan.

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Follow Dan on LinkedIn 

Visit Dan’s site 

Jerry Seinfeld's interview with Tim Ferriss, the interview every creative should watch

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(02:05) - Quick Fire Questions

(04:05) - Dan's Early Jobs

(04:53) - From Forklift Truck Driver to Copywriter

(06:45) - Finding His Path into Copywriting

(08:36) - First Copywriting Gig at Cosset and Breaking through with McDonald's

(12:02) - Value of Getting Lost

(13:21) - The inspiration behind “Writing Under Pressure”

(17:59) - Creating a Course On Writing Headlines

(21:03) - Response to the Book

(22:40) - Maintaining Creative Confidence

(24:09) - Confronting Your Inner Critic

(26:07) - Structure in Creativity

(29:07) - Creativity Closer to Math(s) than Magic

(31:04) - Importance of Structure in Creativity

(32:39) - Most Creatives Hate Brainstorming

(36:57) - Naming Alan, the Inner Critic

(39:21) - The Joy of Creating for Yourself

(42:46) - Impact of Creating on Social Media

(43:40) - Audience Questions

(48:20) - Four Pertinent Posers

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Dan's book recommendations are:  

A Self-Help Guide for Copywriters by Dan Nelken 

Hey Whipple, Squeeze This  by Luke Sullivan

Mind Management, Not Time Management by David Kadavy

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His Twitter bio says he’s a “tall bald bloke from Penzance”. And whilst that might be true, it does rather undersell the fact that perched atop that tall body, and in that bald bonce, are some serious smarts.

For Kevin is a Chief Strategy Officer, formerly strategy head at Ogilvy, Wieden + Kennedy, Saatchi, Dentsu, with a client-side cameo at BT, a visiting lecturer in creativity at several universities, a TEDx speaker, co-author of ‘The Creative Nudge’ and an absolute advocate for walking in stupid and talking in smarts. 

We discuss his journey from his beginning manning boying a vegetable stall, flirting with journalism, getting past ‘A’ in the careers dictionary, the importance of fostering creativity in all fields (including muddy ones), executional skill, breaking category norms, sifting through the interesting to find useful, enthusiasm, neurodiversity, walking in stupid, finding the world endlessly fascintating, big agencies, little agencies and so much more.

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Kevin’s website 

Follow Kevin on LinkedIn

Here’s his book, co-written with the brilliant Mick Mahoney

His TED Talk

Levi’s – Creek by BBH, 1993

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(03:17) - Kevin's early jobs and first steps in the advertising industry

(07:34) - His initial lack of interest in advertising and his pivot from journalism

(10:04) - The impact of iconic ads like Levi's Creek on Kevin's career

(19:04) - The value of diverse experiences in building a successful career

(23:03) - Defining creativity and its importance in business and life

(27:37) - Breaking category norms

(31:06) - The concept of bravery in marketing

(34:42) - Bringing Fresh Perspectives to Meetings

(36:38) - Practical tips for fostering creativity in the workplace

(45:05) - Listener questions including Mark Earls about the role of enthusiasm

(47:08) - The impact of neurodiversity on Kevin's approach to strategy

The Creative Nudge: Simple Steps to help you think differently by Kevin Chesters and Mick Mahoney

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With more strategic know-how in her little finger than a yurt-load of gurus, Mimi has worked as Director of Strategy, Messaging and Research for The Liberal Democrats and Marketing Director for Lad Bible, before moving to her current role at LinkedIn where she champions brand as a key growth driver for B2B businesses. 

One of B2B’s biggest brains and boldest bullshit busters, Mimi shares her thoughts on the ancient origins of strategic thinking, journalism’s tendency toward self-harm, the common mistakes B2B marketers keep on making and why B2B is just one big game of hide and seek.

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Follow Mimi on LinkedIn

Read Mimi and Jann  Schwarz's eye-opening research The real job of B2B Marketing is to give the Buyer Group permission to agree

Tune in to Mimi's Nudgestock 2023 talk Every Product Needs a Promise

 

(02:23) - Quick Fire Questions

(07:14) - Mimi’s Early Career

(08:43) - The early days as a student journalist

(10:52) - The world’s worst chambermaid

(12:09) - Sequencing operations in Burger King

(15:48) - Hospitality Skills in Marketing: Leaders should be waiters

(21:35) - Mimi’s route into marketing

(24:50) - Playing to win and solve the strategic problems

(29:31) - B2B marketing: The challenger to B2C marketing

(32:29) - Joining the B2B Institute at LinkedIn

(33:55) - Who is making the decisions in B2B buying

(37:03) - In B2B Brand is a decision insurance

(46:03) - This quarter’s sales will be won or lost on brand

(49:26) - Target B2B’s hidden buyers

(57:16) - Advice for CMO’s fighting for investment

(01:01:46) - Target your customers, go after the buying group

(01:04:43) - Differentiation and distinctiveness: The job of creativity in B2B brands

(01:11:23) - Pertinent posers

 

The Penguin Book of Modern Speeches by Brian MacArthur 

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It’s been 5 years since Call to Action® captured our first of what’s now over 140 heroes and allies from the industry front lines to have a chin-wag with. To celebrate, we’re rereleasing a choice cut of our favourite episodes as part of a ‘Best Of’ series. 

Back in 2021, we posed as a jester in the throne room of the Burger Kingdom to nab one of the most influential CMOs in the industry; the mind behind the infamous Mouldy Whopper, Fernando Machado.

A global marketer with enough Lions to rival Joe Exotic, Fernando has since tucked into a few new roles, including one as CMO at Activision Blizzard. But at the time of recording, Fer was CMO at Restaurant Brands International, serving up great creative work for Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons. 

So, pull up to the next window and pick-up Fer’s final flame-grilled interview pre-abdicating, where we chat on his obsession with creativity, how to make the case for creativity, the role of the CMO, why Mouldy Whopper was never a risk, brand heritage, cancel culture, Bill Bernbach, Dads in Briefs and the cliff divers of Acapulco.

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Check out The One Club for Creativity 

BGH Air Conditioners: Dads in Briefs  

(02:15) - Quick fire questions

(03:39) - His early career and first job

(08:02) - Importance of creativity as a competitive advantage

(15:24) - Making the case for creativity in marketing

(20:30) - Burger King's challenger mindset and culture of creativity

(25:22) - Role of the CMO and comfort with being uncomfortable

(28:29) - Listener questions 

(33:04) - 4 pertinent posers 

Bill Bernbach's Book by Bob Levenson 

The Copy Book by D&AD 

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For 25 years he’s written ads, strategies, thought starters, content, manifestos and copy. Some of those have won him prizes in Cannes, Paris and New York, but more importantly, he still adores writing them. In an age where concepts cast shadows over craft, Andrew is a true craftsman. 

Full of refreshingly smart observations, Andrew talks to us on his organ building apprenticeships, fireworks accidents, Princess Di’s wedding, his "3rd career" in advertising, the internet as a vending machine, an outstanding defence of proper craft, and much, much more. 

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Follow Andrew on LinkedIn 

Here’s his website, entirely written by his clients 

A short but very award-winning film he wrote with animator Darren Price  

MusiCuvia, music festival in Valcuvia, northern Italy, founded by Andrew 4 years ago 

And some Jack Dee for good measure 

(02:12) - Quick Fire Questions 

(06:03) - Andrew's Early Career: Pipe Organ Builder

(11:03) - Transition to Firework Technician

(16:20) - The Cutthroat World of Fireworks

(19:53) - Transition to Advertising

(23:54) - Learning the Craft at Ogilvy

(25:09) - Understanding People from All Walks of Life

(26:14) - The Value of Real Experiences

(27:32) - The Internet as a Vending Machine

(29:59) - The Importance of Craft in Advertising

(32:22) - Consumer Intelligence and Craft

(45:00) - Advice for Aspiring Advertisers 

(52:06) - Pertinent Posers 

Atonement by Ian McEwan

Saturday by Ian McEwan

Black Dogs by Ian McEwan

The Pornographer by John McGahern

The Plot Against America by Philip Roth 

The Howard Gossage Show by Steve Harrison and Dave Dye

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It’s been 5 years since Call to Action® captured our first of what’s now over 140 heroes and allies from the industry front lines to have a chin-wag with. To celebrate, we’re rereleasing a choice cut of our favourite episodes as part of a ‘Best Of’ series. 

In 2021, baited by a Bedouin birthing blanket, we caught big thinker and bestselling author, Paul Feldwick. 

The man behind one of our favourite all time ad campaigns, Paul worked at the legendary agency BMP on some of Britain’s most famous brands for over 30 years.

Paul talks to us on tonnes of topics, including BMP, being the world’s worst account manager, clowns, talking to real people, what brands can learn from Snow White, Jeremy Bullmore, PT Barnum, fame, shame, purpose, Mrs Brown’s Boys, whether ads need to be "liked", Martin Boase, and a whole lot more. 

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Check out his website 

Follow Paul on LinkedIn

We implore you to read both of his fabulous books:  

Anatomy of Humbug 

And here’s that famous Barclaycard ad with Rowan Atkinson 

(01:58) - Quick fire questions

(07:20) - Paul's early career and transition to account planning

(11:24) - Importance of entertaining advertising

(17:29) - Discussion on fame in advertising

(24:35) - The history of advertising and its impact on creativity

(29:33) - The moral implications of advertising and the need for entertaining content

(35:32) - Question on creative thinking in advertising and overcoming shame for fame

(41:36) - Balancing likability and fame in advertising campaigns

(47:07) - Pertinent posers 

How Brands Grow by Byron Sharp 

Building Distinctive Brand Assets by Jenni Romaniuk 

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Co-founders of Word Tonic, the world’s first GEN-Z copywriting community, Carolyn and Em are hell-bent on helping and inspiring more young people to write for a living. Driven directly by young copywriters, it's a space to connect, share advice and learn from both each other and in masterclasses with the world's most noticeable brands like Disney and Google. 

With over 700 GEN-Z copywriters involved, they’re growing so fast they’ve got brands reaching out to recruit fresh, emerging talent straight from the community. 

We spill the tea (we’ll stop now) on embracing chaos in your career, building a community as an introvert, why research matters before a GEN-Z marketing effort, flexibility, mentorship, wanky creative directors, creating a diverse and inclusive community, short-term echo chambers, listener questions from Vikki Ross, Dave Harland, Thomas Kemeny and Andrew Boulton, boyfriend dedications, and loads more*.

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Follow Word Tonic on Instagram 

Find them on LinkedIn 

Here’s their website and newsletter 

And check out one of Carolyn’s recommendation; Farnam Street

(01:47) - World Cup of GEN-Z Words 

(03:31) - Early (chaotic) career paths; from Costa Coffee and cleaning to copywriting 

(12:31) - How Word Tonic started, the recruitment side, and why you should join 

(22:46) - How to nail GEN-Z marketing efforts 

(31:31) - Listener questions 

(40:51) - 4 pertinent posers 

Junior by Thomas Kemeny 

Hey Whipple Squeeze This by Luke Sullivan 

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

A Self-Help Guide for Copywriters by Dan Nelken 

The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey

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Creative Lead for Coca-Cola across the ASEAN & South Pacific region, Adam is responsible for translating and elevating global core creative ideas regionally and locally, wrangling agencies around the world, and driving thought leadership across the business.

So, gather on a Hilltop and listen as we sing on working on impactful campaigns for the Met Police, the power of brand and why it’s far from dead, “leaving loudly”, serendipity, the power of a great brief, going from agency to client side at Coca-Cola, Cantona, being an agency whisperer, balancing parenthood and leaderships and loads more.

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Follow Adam on LinkedIn 

Listen to his sister, Vikki, on Episode 6 of Call to Action® 

Check out Adam’s Creative Sparks post each month  

And keep an eye out for Vikki’s Copy Safaris 

(02:01) - Quickfire questions 

(02:56) - His first jobs and first proper job at MediaCom 

(05:05) - Tackling issues like knife crime and gun violence for the Met Police

(08:29) - The role of serendipity in his career 

(13:07) - Transition to client-side at Coca-Cola

(23:17) - Being an ‘agency whisperer’ 

(26:08) - The power of a brief 

(31:15) - Leaving loudly 

(40:55) - Listener questions

(51:38) - 4 pertinent posers 

Emotion by Design by Greg Hoffman 

Misfits by Michaela Coel 

Is This Anything? by Jerry Seinfeld 

Dave Trott’s books 

The Course of Love by Alain de Botton 

The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work by Alain de Botton

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Cutting his teeth at Saatchi and Saatchi, Scott Morrison has run the Nike business at Wieden and Kennedy, and been CMO and Commercial Director at Levi’s, Activision and Diesel. Now he brings the Boom! to brands and leaders to Unblock, Unlock and Unleash commercial, creative or cultural impact that transforms business and individuals.

Strap in as we wag chins on picking tomatoes, the power of stating intent, the magic of positive disruption, and the art of creating a movement. Scott's not just about making noise - he's about making a real impact. From quiet leadership lessons inspired by Nelson Mandela to the bold moves that drive businesses forward, Scott's got the playbook for success.

Listen quick. Tic-tic-tic-tic...

Follow Scott on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram 

Find out more about the Boom! 

Here’s the Boom! Book Club 

Read 10 ways future-thinking clients are bringing the Boom! to Business Unusual

Scott's ISOLATED Talk Leadership Lessons from Marvin and Mandela

02:07 - Quickfire questions 

03:40 - His early jobs and career path

06:19 - Importance of being open to serendipity in career choices

13:39 - The importance of positive disruption in business

21:29 - The "unblock, unlock, unleash" approach

25:40 - Defining success and unblocking obstacles

33:24 - Stating intent as a powerful leadership tool

36:52 - Characteristics of impactful leaders and the concept of learning fast

41:25 - Impactful leadership styles and the balance between quiet and loud impact

45:37 - Listener questions 

51:38 - 4 pertinent posers 

The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest 

The Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday

The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday 

The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham