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'Advertising is still pretty sexist' Despite some shifts we are living in a world where women in advertising are still experiencing: Disparity of pay Lack of representation across leadership Objectification Sexualisation Lack of respect. The list goes on... So.. I invited the wonderful Sophie Lewis on to the podcast Well for multiple reasons really: From BBH to M&C Saatchi she's set the path for women in strategy through iconic campaigns including Bodyform 'No blood should hold us back' to 'Here to come the girls' She's a Feminist.   She's a Mother. And she is a strategic-adland-inspiration. It was such a pleasure to connect with her and align on so many things that need shifting in the world of advertising. Check us out here yapping away - link in comments.

You know when you go to someone with a problem. And without even hesitating, or asking much, that person will give you a solution. Something happens in your tummy. An empty thing. Like: I don’t think I’ve been properly heard here? That’s how I think we make people feel in business when we don’t truly listen. And yet, we’re all in such a rush to be ‘solutions focused’. But, how can you be solutions focused if you don’t understand the problem? It’s a journey we’ve been on ourselves. Moving away from being answers focused to deeply understanding what’s going on first. Sean Williams and I natter away on untalented on the link below.

Chuck Porter said running an agency can be boiled down to three things: 1. Do good work. 2. Tell everyone about it. 3. Answer the phone. There are lot of agencies doing 1 & 3. But, I can’t help but feel we don’t see enough of 2. I get it. Some clients will say no. And you need to make more brilliant work. But, what if you spent the same effort on shouting about your work as you do with pitches? How creative can your agency be about telling us about the work that you’re doing? I know it’s not always easy, but can you tell us about the problem you solved? The way it made your people feel being part of making it? Don’t be bashful. Be boastful. Even if you’re British.

Visual Designers want to have fun. But sitting in the middle ground between Digital and Brand, they are often lumped with any old work. Too much discovery. Too many wireframes. Too many static screens. Not enough micro interactions, iteration, or pixel perfect output. And for a meticulous detail orientated human, the conceptual thinking chart-topping craft is what they love. And so does our latest collaboration. Arguably one of the best digital agencies in New York, they are wanting digitally-focused, UI-centric, Senior designers. Designers who are craft led with a strong eye for art direction. Designers who have collaborated on truly unique work. Senior Digital Designer. New York, hybrid. $140,000k ~ $180,000k

👀 Keep an eye on our Untalented podcast for when this one lands: https://lnkd.in/eehhsHZi Spotfity; Youtube etc.

I speak to a lot of good agency CEOs that don’t want to be CEOs anymore. Here’s a line that I’ve heard more than once: ‘My salary is high but my hourly rate is cheap.’ I’m sensing this rebellion to the bureaucracy the role requires. And a yearning to be a practitioner. A yearning to make. A yearning to think. A yearning to feel over valued vs being overworked. If you’re a CEO thinking of doing that, I have some advice: 1. Spend a month writing down what drained you / energised you every day. 2. Draw a circle around the stuff that energised you. 3. Find the place that’ll allow you to do that with 80% of your time. Life’s too short to be lived feeling drained. Here are a few examples of gigs that’ll pay you similar comp as a CEO: - Become a practice lead at a strategy consultancy. - Join a sprint agency group with a smaller, mightier gang. - Consider joining a shop as an acquihire (it helps if you have a partner that does what you don’t do very well) - Join a product business as a COO / Chief of Staff - Join a brand that has a poverty of your skill set but a wealth of ambition. Do something squiggly that lights you up. Go find your people and your energy again.

UNKNOWN x After Hours x New York Sean and I sat down with the brilliant Shy Trutwein and Jasmine Gallagher yesterday for The Untalented Podcast. I loved recording this one. Thanks After Hours!

Insights are EVERYWHERE. Even across recruitment trends. BIG-HUGE-GIGANTIC-UPS to Miss Megan Hill for waving the strategy flag at this quarters Futures Friends Meg dove into trends from how B2B IS ACTUALLY SEXY through to the rise of influencer and overall talent strategy within this forever evolving creative landscape. Not only is she constantly acting as an insightful representative to any talent she meets with, she GENUINELY cares about making meaningful connections to help shape strategy positively. Whether thats from Brand to product to Adland to a boutique design shop. She thinks like a visionary strategist. Making connections to create impact. Not to just tick a box. but what makes her SO special is her warmth, joy and un-describable hilarious wit with any encounter you will have with her along the way. Vibrant, compassionate and honest Megan Hill. Proud as punch. UNKNOWN 💙

There are fewer women that inspire me as much as Sophie Lewis So I just simply HAD to get her on UNTALENTED. Coming soon 👀 UNKNOWN