Create it till you make it

We’re joined by co-founder and executive producer of missing link films - Heather Link. Heather’s love of production comes from her years of client-side experience at HSBC and CNN and consulting for lifestyle brands. A passion for storytelling, people and culture is at the heart of everything she does.

At HSBC she was part of the team responsible for building the brand through advertising, including the infamous global airport campaigns and global TV commercials. Missing Link Films was founded in 2016 and is the brainchild of Heather and her husband Ben. Ben is a hugely experienced producer who has worked with some of the best directors in the world. They're committed to nurturing new talent and an equal roster of female/male directors.

Tune in to hear about how Heather got her start in production, her advice for anyone wanting to make it in the industry - and the work she’s most proud of.

We're joined by Dan Gray. Dan’s 11 year long career has spanned game studios small and large, from the legendary Lionhead Studios to indie darlings Hello Games - and for the past 5 years ustwo Games. Here he released 'Monument Valley' which gained critical acclaim after it's release in 2014 as a game changer on mobile - winning multiple awards along the way including two BAFTAs.

Acting as head of studio for the company, Dan and his team have delved into customer focus VR with the title 'Land’s End' followed up by releasing the (again) critically acclaimed 'Monument Valley 2' in 2017. His team is currently focusing on bringing impactful and meaningful experiences to a mass audience.

Tune in to hear about Dan's first job, career and advice.

Gina Hood is an account handler at Snap LDN with experience in a wide range of sectors. After her undergrad at Oxford she got into advertising via a grad scheme at Publicis London. Her love of the combination of analytics, business and creativity helped her build her career and she spent her 20s working in adland, building brands and producing campaigns.

Gina has a strong passion for nurturing industry talent and promoting diversity. She supports women's career development to senior positions through her role on the WACL FUTURES leadership team. As well as pushing the agenda on gender equality in media, marketing and advertising as the President of Bloom UK.

She has also recently launched a career hub for young people looking to get onto creative agency graduate schemes.In her spare time Gina enjoys speaking about gender equality, diversity, career development and personal brand, and working as a commissioned painter and photographer.

Tune in to hear about everything advertising!

James graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in English Lit and Philosophy before falling into the world of consumer PR – via a brief stint with a corporate agency that taught him corporate comms is not his calling.

In the time since, James has delivered campaigns for a host of household name brands including MasterCard, IKEA, Virgin Trains and Sony. This has included unveiling a breakfast in bed café, launching a new train, opening a new distillery, and building the world’s smallest pub. He is currently a Senior Account Director at Hope&Glory, a leading independent consumer agency, where he heads up accounts including Edrington-Beam Suntory, London Coffee Festival and The Royal Mint.

Tune in to hear about life hacks like Trello, how James defines 'making it' and pearls of wisdom including "Treat yourself like a brand".

Katie is the co-founder of digital marketing consultancy OneFifty, which she launched with her business partner Alex in 2015. She's worked in communication and digital marketing for 12 years, both in and for global and UK organisations.

Starting her career within Vauxhall’s marketing communications team, she subsequently worked as a digital brand communications consultant across sectors as diverse as consumer technology and professional services. More recently, she's set up a second business - Rogue Ponies - a content platform, which matches brands with social influencers to create more effective and efficient brand content for them.

Tune in to hear about Katies' professional journey, words of wisdom and what skills she views as the golden ticket for new hires.

Mills co founded the ustwo ‘fampany group’ (part digital product design agency, independent games company, investment, incubator and foundation) in 2004 with his best mate Sinx.

They have built a strong company ethos driven by creating meaningful impact on our world through their products and practices. Through their incessant curiosity they created the hugely successful Monument Valley franchise, downloaded over 150 million times. Changing the perception of what mobile gaming could be.

In 2017 mills stepped away from the more operational duties at ustwo and focused on a solo quest to find a renewed purpose. He quit alcohol, turned vegetarian, become an ultra runner and started the hugely unpopular JFDI podcast where he externalises his inner monologue’. He's passionate about inspiring and supporting founders, teams and businesses to make impact by investing in and incubating teams at the ustwo adventure playground.

Tune in to hear his advice and how he got to where he is today!