In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon and Simon Walter, Chief Strategy Officer at Project A Ventures, dive deep into the concept that innovation is the only solution we have. Simon emphasizes that innovation doesn’t just happen within companies, but within ecosystems, where diverse players like startups, universities, investors, and consultancies come together to drive change.

Simon shares his journey from the world of advertising to working with early-stage founders, highlighting that his fascination lies in working with people who have different backgrounds, and how this diversity fuels creativity and growth. He reflects on his own decision to leave big brands, despite having worked on iconic campaigns for companies like Apple, Mars, and Adidas—because he realized that if you are a strategist, you don’t have to stop where advertising ends. This shift led him to explore how strategy and creativity can intertwine in the business world beyond traditional marketing.

They also discuss how working with early-stage founders is a particularly exciting challenge—for Simon, it’s about shaping the business and its values before even thinking about the branding.

Tune in for an engaging conversation on how innovation thrives in ecosystems and why the future of marketing is about creating more than just campaigns—it’s about reshaping industries through collaboration, creativity, and curiosity.