Truth and Soul Inc. The New Zealand Advertising Podcast.

Andy Blood is originally from the UK where he spent time at start up Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe, before he followed his heart over to New Zealand. In Auckland he worked at the highest creative level at Saatchis Auckland, Whybin TBWA, and Colenso BBDO doing some amazing work gathering three Cannes Grand Prix in the process.

Unlike me, Andy is irrepressibly enthusiastic about almost everything, and he also mentions NFTs a couple of times so that should get us the cashed-up hipsters audience – he’s a great guy, with a lot of insights about the business, so have a listen.

In the middle of the Auckland lockdown I talk to the incoming Monkey’s New Zealand creative chief about leaving DDB after many years; what you actually do when you’re on gardening leave, and whether you should have a bath before or after talking to your gynecologist. Oh, and the future of advertising, where technology will take the industry, and whether it’s a good job for your kids to do.

Jason is currently CEO of Vodafone New Zealand, but don’t be put off by that corporate sounding title as he’s anything but. He’s also worked in advertising in London which doubly qualifies him for a listen.

Jason shared some great insights including his views on advertising and ad agencies. He talks about the great mentors he has had over the years and his journey from being a sports obsessed work-shy schoolboy in Invercargill, via a marketing background to some big roles in both New Zealand and the UK.

There are some great tips for those starting out in business and we also have a natter about his favourite sporting moment, which coincidentally was also mine.

Jason Paris. Ridiculous over achiever.

In this podcast expat-Kiwi Rob Sherlock answers the immortal question: “What the hell do Global Creative Directors do, anyway?” We talk about his career from a Junior Accountant in South Africa to Global ECD of FCB based in Chicago via London, New Zealand and just about everywhere in Asia.

Music makes a huge difference to ads and Jim Hall has provided the music for many of New Zealand’s most popular ads over the last thirty years as well as some cracking two-note stings for Korean telcos.

Jim has decades of musical experience across the globe including playing with Cilla Black, being musical director of X Factor NZ and playing in an amazing David Bowie tribute band.

We look at the roles of strategy, post rationalisation and creativity in advertising and they have some very interesting thoughts on whether creativity can be taught or whether it’s innate. Part 2.

We look at the roles of strategy, post rationalisation and creativity in advertising and they have some very interesting thoughts on whether creativity can be taught or whether it’s innate. Part 1 of 2.

Shane Bradnick is currently ECD of TBWA Auckland. Shane was born in Zimbabwe and has worked in advertising in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand winning many awards along the way.

We talk about his initial job as a teacher and what inspired him to stop wasting his time and instead do something meaningful like advertising.

Marty O’Halloran who has been head of DDB New Zealand since 2000 and DDB Australia since 2009 was recently appointed CEO of DDB global, this is a great achievement for someone from down here to get the big gig, especially as such a respected giant of the industry such as DDB.