Join your host & producer, Katie Cadwell & Hatty Wytton, as they reflect on Season 2. With a whole host of new listener stories and opinions, we look back on all the great conversations from the past 10 episodes – and talk about what’s next.

Huge thanks to all our guests and contributors.

—————

Comments from: 

Pearse O’Halloran / @pearseohalloran

Mirella Arapian / @mek.studio

Mike Andrews / @mandrews.studio

Victoria Mackintosh

Algy Batten / @algybatten

Sonia Uznadze /@sonia.uz

Emile Chen / @spottedbyem

Mark Adams / @markadamspictures 

Sophie Bowyer / @sophierbowyer_creative 

Natassia Swulinska / @swulinsta

Isaac / @isaacnnz 

Kim Majkut / @kimmajkut 

Graham Wood / @grahamwood7 

Hannah Gander / @gander.hannah 

Design Business Council / @designbusinesscouncil

Jamie Samman / @jamiesamman

Maisie Benson / @_maisiebenson

Sarah Grech / @grechsar

Lucy Hobbs / @lucykhobbs

HB Thompson

David Nichols   

Ben Mottershead / @_studiobnd_ 

Ash Schofield / ash_scho

Rachel Lewis / rachel.lewis.design

Roy Murphy / @g3nr8

Laura Shepherd / @ls528

Adnaan Narot / @loveandmoney.agency 

Alister Shapley / @alistershapleyprint 

Eve Warren / eveawarren

James Horwitz / @twotimeselliott

Tim Perry / @timperryconsulting

Mentions: 

https://cleancreatives.org/ / @clean_creatives

https://withjack.co.uk/ / @_withjack 

https://www.nevernotcreative.org/never-not-finishing-school / @nvrnotcreative 

https://www.itsnicethat.com/authors/katie-cadwell / @itsnicethat

Refs: 

Clean Creatives on the Edelman Trust Barometer: 

https://cleancreatives.org/news/edelman-trust-barometer-fact-check

Richard Prince lawsuit - ​​https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/26/arts/design/richard-prince-copyright-lawsuit.html

Andy Warhol lawsuit - https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/warhol-foundation-settles-lawsuit-lynn-goldsmith-prince-series-1234700191/

Anthropic AI lawsuit - https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/anthropic-asks-court-to-prune-universal-lawsuit-to-focus-court-battle-on-whether-it-is-fair-use-to-train-ai-using-copyrighted-works/

Arts and Crafts movement - https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/arts-and-crafts-an-introduction

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83% of NDA followers have pitched for a project.

Widely debated and often condemned, pitching for creative work is still rife. In an economic climate that gives clients more power than ever, we’re seeing a steady return to speculative work to win projects. 

We want to get to the bottom of it, talking to Leo Porto & Felipe Rocha (Porto Rocha), who have publicly declared their anti-pitching stance, and Toby Wilkinson (AUFI), who is privy to more studio pitch decks than most, working closely with brands to help them find the right agency partner.

We also invite the clients in — with anonymous stories from their point of view, we try to unpack who really benefits from the ambiguity of the ‘pitching’ process.

Asking questions like… Why do clients need pitches to choose partners? Do creative teams enjoy working on them? Is the condensed process devaluing creativity? Does it create inequity in the industry? How can we change that?

And, let's be honest, does everyone have a project they would throw their morals away for?

Credits —

Small print: 

British Design Association resources - https://www.dba.org.uk/members-area/resources/?keyword=free+pitch

AUFI guides - https://aufi.com/insights/good-agency-relationship

Paul Woods, How to do great work without being an arsehole - https://www.amazon.com/Great-Work-Without-Being-Asshole/dp/1786273918

Mentions: No free pitches - https://nofreepitches.com/

Stories: Rita Juárez / Jenny Powell

Sponsored by Lucky Dip

luckydip.studio

Get in touch [email protected]

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Who has the best ideas – humans or robots?

The topic on everyone’s feeds. AI is snowballing faster than anyone can keep up with, with billions of dollars being invested, new models appearing everyday, and a plethora of opinions to boot.

But, how does this relate to the creative industry? Some are embracing it, others fear it, and some feel underwhelmed by it. In today’s episode, we want to understand its role in our process.

Joined by our guests Pip Bingemann (Co-founder of springboards.ai) & Jess Macintyre (Co-founder of Mac+Moore) we discuss whether it’s homogenising creativity. How it impacts those at the start of their career. Whether it adds or subtracts value from creatives. Who we’re trusting to build the models – and to what extent it’s perpetuating the worst parts of society.

A great summary conversation about AI and creativity – a good place to start if you’re unsure how it can benefit your practice. But remember, use responsibly.

Credits —

Small print:

Midjourney - https://discord.com/invite/midjourney

Runway - https://runwayml.com/

Not Content - https://www.notcontent.ai/

Monika - https://m-o-n-i-k-a.com/

Paige - https://air.inc/paige

It’s Nice That, Shades of Intelligence 

https://www.itsnicethat.com/shades-of-intelligence

Marcus Byrne, 101 prompt secrets

https://marcusbyrne.gumroad.com/l/101promptsecretsbook

Mentions:

Zoe Scaman, Strategy in the era of AI

https://zoescaman.substack.com/p/strategy-in-the-era-of-ai

Orlaith Wood, Why AI is the kick up the arse copywriters need 

https://www.creativereview.co.uk/ai-copywriting-reed-words/

Stories: Jack Wimmer (Monika) / Engy Elboreini (@engythedesigner) 

Sponsored by Lucky Dip

luckydip.studio

Get in touch [email protected]

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Is the agency model as we know it dying out? Big office spaces, permanent teams, mandatory in-person working, rigid processes and hierarchies — all symbols of the traditional creative studios that have been pillars of the industry for decades.

But the pandemic accelerated the rise of the small agency. Those working in a nimble way, remote from anywhere in the world, with bespoke freelance teams built for each project.

So, which one is better? Together with Ayo Fagbemi (Explorers Club) & Andy Cooke (Creative Director) we discuss how the different models impact creativity, hiring talent and building a culture — and what clients are looking for; if they want to be seen with the latest ‘underdog agency’ or have the kudos of working with one of the legends.

It’s a classic David vs. Goliath story. We try to guess who will come out on top. And ask if the established agencies don’t adapt, are they destined for extinction?

Credits —

Small print:

Dan Salkey (Small World), Hub and spoke creative agencies

https://www.contagious.com/news-and-views/hub-and-spoke-creative-agencies-why-this-time-its-different

Stephanie McCarty, Here’s my beef with ad agencies

https://www.adweek.com/agencies/cmo-ad-agency-model-broken/

Comprehensive flexibility

https://hbr.org/2023/08/the-radical-promise-of-truly-flexible-work

Mentions: Collins New York Coffeehouse

Stories: Naomi Dacosta (NDC Creative) / Dylan Young (Koto)

Sponsored by Lucky Dip

luckydip.studio

Get in touch [email protected]

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In today’s episode, we’re tackling one of the industry taboos – ageing.

Joined by two creatives proudly in ‘mid-life’, Michael Johnson (Johnson Banks) & Jane Evans (Visible Inc.) we’re asking all the questions no one else dares.

Hearing the statistics on age diversity in the industry, it’s obvious there are empty seats where older creatives should be. To figure out why that is, we discuss how ageing is perceived. And how these outdated views of ageing are impacting our agency diversity.

We talk about clients, and whether they care about the age of their partners. Do they want energised young scrappy upstarts, or mature teams with a proven track record? 

We hypothesise why there’s a big drop off, as our guests reflect on where their peers are now. Asking them when they were doing their best work, and if their creativity is as fierce now as it was in their 20s. 

And what next? Talking about how to ‘be relevant’ in an ever-changing landscape, and what retirement looks like for this generation.

Ultimately, our guests believe that mid-life creatives are a huge untapped resource, ready to help us access the largest consumer group. So if that’s true, where are they? And why isn’t anyone harnessing their power?

Credits —

Small print: 

Invisible to Invaluable: Unleashing the Power of Mid-Life Women, Jane Evans

Visible Start - https://visiblestart.com/

Olivia Stubbings ‘The Late Radicals’ for the IPA Excellence Diploma in Brands -

https://ipa.co.uk/knowledge/ipa-blog/the-late-radicals

Mentions: Vera Wang / JR Tolkein / Barabara Beskind / Anne Rothenstein

Stories: Brett Allan / Belinda Hubbal

Sponsored by Lucky Dip

luckydip.studio

Get in touch [email protected]

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This week, we want to understand what it’s like for juniors entering the creative industry. We’re asking who’s responsible for their success, and if we might be failing them.

We talk to DINES (STUDIO BLUP) & Ellen Ling (LINGO) about whether the expectations we’re placing on our newest creatives are unrealistic. Can we really expect them to be multi-disciplined? What about having side hustles, or knowing what their creative passions are? Job role descriptions seem to be asking for all that and more. 

We learn that juniors are feeling undervalued, overworked, and underpaid — as though their development is the last on the priority list. We also discuss veteran creatives’ experiences working with young talent. Some think juniors are having an easier time today, and others feel they are coming out of universities less prepared for agency life than ever before. 

Ultimately, we unpack if we, both as individuals and the industry at large, support the next generation. Are we expecting too much? Do we secretly want them to have the same (traumatic) initiation as some of us did?

Or is the fact they’re raising the bar better for us all?

Credits —

Small print: Blup Academy - https://studioblup.com/academy/

Somerset House, ‘Upgrade Yourself’ - https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/inclusive-talent-engagement/upgrade-yourself-creative-industry-placements-participants

Shillington - https://www.shillingtoneducation.com/uk/

Mentions: Mother / Dixon Baxi / Havas / Wolff Olins / New Blood / D&AD

Stories: Jenny Potts / Hello Katy Studio

Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)

Get in touch [email protected]

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For the first time, NDA is coming to you live from Birmingham Design Festival. Host Katie Cadwell sits down with Christopher Doyle (CD&Co) and Elise Santangelo-Rous to demystify culture in creative agencies. Alongside the BDF audience, they explore how culture shapes the intangible yet essential energy within a studio, influencing everything from employee satisfaction to client relationships.

We put them on the stage, and on the spot. We discuss if it’s possible to cultivate culture when it’s so difficult to define, and how integral business leaders are in setting the studio tone. We chat about toxic culture – why it can turn sour, and whether there’s any way to save it. 

And we ask some tricky questions; does culture impact the standard of creative work? Can a nurturing workplace be compatible with a high performance one? And when it comes to building your teams, is ‘culture fit’ really outdated & irrelevant? 

A brilliant conversation where we discover that culture needs a lot more than ping-pong tables & Friday beers.

Credits —

Small print: BBC ‘Office culture is dead’ - https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20240229-office-culture-is-dead

Dare to Lead Podcast ‘How toxic cultures are driving the great resignation’ -

https://brenebrown.com/podcast/how-toxic-work-cultures-are-driving-the-great-resignation/

It’s Nice That’s ‘Top Creative Company’ awards - https://topcreativecompanies.com/

A huge thank you to Dan & Luke from Birmingham Design Festival for inviting us, and to Lánre for the tech support.

Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)

Get in touch [email protected]

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In today’s episode, we’re diving into the harsh realities that new parents, especially mothers, face in the creative industry. From announcing your pregnancy to the daunting return post-baby and beyond — what effect does parenthood have on your career, your creativity, and how you navigate your professional life?

Guests Rachel Allison, Founder of Axe + Saw, and Laura Randall, Creative Director, share their personal experiences of motherhood. Telling candid stories about how their careers have changed since starting a family. Alongside their tales, we hear from listeners who have experienced discrimination at the hands of the creative industry.

We try to uncover what contributes to the stigma mothers face in the industry. Asking tough questions like, how do you stay relevant after taking maternity leave? Do your peers feel slighted when you have to leave for the school run? Is it bad for business? And do you really come back at 100%?

This episode is an eye-opening conversation unpacking why so many mothers choose to leave our industry entirely, and what we can all do to start to change that.

Credits —

Stories: Emma Watson / Amy Gettings / Halley Anne Kennedy / Mary Vertfulo 

Mentions: Lucy Werner

Small print: Creative Equals https://www.creativeequals.org/blog/the-30-women-trailblazing-in-creative-right-now

Explained: Why women are paid less https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP8dLUxBfsU

Peanut app https://www.peanut-app.io/

Invisible Mother’s campaign https://invisible-mothers.peanut-app.io/

Pregnant Then Screwed https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/

Study https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/1-in-61-pregnant-women-say-their-boss-insinuated-they-should-have-an-abortion/

The Good Return https://bima.co.uk/the-good-return/

Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)

Get in touch [email protected]

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In this episode, we’re tackling the epidemic of copying in the creative industry. Whether you’re the copied or the copier, originality is a constant battle for creatives. We’re exploring the emotional and practical impacts of being ripped off. 

Malika Favre, globally renowned French artist, is arguably one of the most copied creatives of the past decade. She shares her journey from anger to legal action, and how it has impacted her business. Lifting the lid on what it looks like (and can cost) to go after copycats.

Tyler Hendy, design lead at New Commercial Arts and creative on the recently controversial Nationwide rebrand, recounts how the industry responded to his work. Sharing learnings from that experience, both in his creative process and how work is presented online.

Ultimately, we try to unpick how to best defend your ideas and your style, and if the elusive search for originality is achievable. 

Credits —

Stories: Rita Juárez / Louise Lockhart @theprintedpeanut 

Mentions: Mot3l / M&S / Daren Thomas Magee @fakefunwow 

Small print: The Red Hand Files - https://www.theredhandfiles.com/originality-hard-to-obtain/

AOI resources - https://theaoi.com/resources/copyright/

AOI ‘Keep your copyright campaign - https://theaoi.com/campaigning/campaigns/consultations-blocks-2/keep-your-copyright/

Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)

Get in touch [email protected]

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This week, we’re going in-house. Asking whether there’s a stigma attached to moving client-side. And more importantly, if it’s deserved.

Joined by industry experts Emma Sexton, founder of Inside Out, and Kieran Mistry, Head of Design at YouTube, we unpack what in-house creativity really looks like. Covering everything from work/life balance and stakeholder management to creative freedom and career progression. We hear from listeners who have witnessed negative perceptions of in-house from the industry first hand, and from some who have made the change and are reaping the benefits.

Whether you agree with our guests or not, the truth is that in-house creative teams are on the rise. And they are not to be underestimated. If we’re not prepared to park our preconceptions and collaborate, do agencies risk being phased out altogether? 

Credits —

Stories: Emilie Chen

Mentions: Ivan Pols (what.three.words) / Penguin Books / National Theatre

Small print: ANA study on the rise of the in house agency: https://www.ana.net/miccontent/show/id/rr-2023-05-rise-in-house-agency

How the agency / client relationship is evolving: https://www.creativereview.co.uk/agencies-its-time-to-be-better-friends-with-your-in-house-partners/

“The Future of In-House Creative Leadershi” report from Inside Out: https://theinsideout.community/resources/the-future-of-in-house-creative-leadership/

Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)

Get in touch [email protected]

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