Visuals: https://getbehindthebillboard.com/episode-90-tim-jones

Podcast episode #90 is the first of our Manchester special and features the charming and uber-talented Tim Jones. Tim has an incredible track record when it comes to OOH, both from his time at BBC Creative and more recently at Meanwhile, the agency he set up with long term creative partner James Cross and Al Marchant.

Meanwhile have enjoyed great success since launch in 2022, thanks not just to their creative work, but savvy association with Bez of the Happy Mondays, himself an icon of the North West. It’s no surprise Meanwhile were Campaign’s Start Up Agency of 2023.

We discussed Tim’s extensive OOH portfolio, including the 7m tapestry for the BBC World Cup in Russia which formed the centre pice of the History Will Be Made campaign and was meant to have an additional segment, allowing for the next bit of history. Tim told us how he was prepping the new piece to incorporate Harry Kane lifting the trophy. Oh Lord. How many years of hurt?! Too much. Anyway, it wasn’t meant to be, but a brilliant story about what goes on behind the tapestry.

Then there was the Netflix Diamond Heist and how Meanwhile placed a 9-carat diamond onto the side of a billboard.

Next Travel Supermarket with a vertical stack of inflatables in a shopping trolley on the side of a building. How will they stay up? What happens if a member of the public throws darts at them? And a million and one other daft questions that have to be answered in order to get creative work to run.

On and on the stories went, the Manchester tram that toots the theme tune of Coronation Street, the BAFTA winning work for BBC Tokyo Olympics, the award-winning launch work for Chester Zoo, the iconic Park Run work for Mental health Day.

Thank you Tim. It was a total pleasure. We can’t wait to see what you and Meanwhile do next.