Calcium+Company’s Post

While traveling the world for the past several years as a creative director, I have had the opportunity to connect with and tell the stories of many incredible companies and individuals. I am inspired by the journey we are all on together as human beings and I feel honored to be given the chance to showcase each of these unique pathways in a dynamic way. #BalancingCreativityandProductivity #TheNomadicLifeofaCreativeDirector #TheArtofInspiration #FindingCreativityinDifferentCulturesandLandscapes #ImpossibleDeadlinesandExoticLocales #ManagingProjectsasaTravelingCreativeDirector #UnconventionalWorkspaces #HowTravelingasaCreativeDirectorEnhancesInnovation #TheIntersectionofArtandAdventure #EmbracingNewPerspectives

You may have noticed that I love talking about the importance of purpose! 😉 Step forward Coffee & TV; a visual arts studio who, as a founding principle, noticed that every step they take to be a BETTER company makes THEM better at their work. A focus on their team and artist-led culture is at the centre of everything they do. This outlook, in an industry where artists are not looked after, is unique. The words ‘care’ and ‘consideration’ feature on their LinkedIn bio and they shout loud and proud that they are on a mission to create harmonious workplaces where people are nurtured and empowered to grow and deliver their best work. This nurturing purpose has attracted both a global client roster and outstanding industry talent whilst maintaining the highest standards of social and environmental performance. They’ve been named Winner of the ‘Best Place to Work in TV’ Award for the last two years. They’ve also achieved the status of the UK’s first B Corp certified creative studio, maintaining the highest standards of social and environmental performance. But don’t think this people and planet focus has somehow affected their performance. Earlier this year, Omnicom purchased the studio in a move that will fuel their international expansion whilst protecting their individuality and independence. Daring to do things driven by their purpose of pairing world class visual arts with a people-first culture, created this amazing growth opportunity. This is the perfect example of what we talk about at Actus Consulting: incredible things do happen when you focus on growth with purpose and define the reason for your company’s existence beyond just generating profits. I am truly in awe of what they have achieved and at Actus, we’re proud to have been a small part of their journey. https://lnkd.in/eqd8QKwZ #growthwithpurpose #purposeledbusiness #peoplefirst

Happy people make great work and great work is what makes people happy. The state of creativity report released here on Cannes Creative Festival 2024 showed that many agencies (45%) perceive their agency-client relation as difficult. But more important is that the research proved that a good client-agency relationship will streamline your entire creative process. Proving our adagium. https://lnkd.in/eNEK3DTa Not only do good client-agency relationships contribute to happiness, but also do happy people tend to have better quality working relationships. We prefer collaborative ways of working, we want to be predictable & consistent and strive to be first time right. This leads to more effective work created in an efficient and enjoyable way. Another way in which happiness is an economical multiplier. #canneslions2024 #happiness #stateofcreativity #Daancam

From Daan in Cannes on one of the main points of the State of Creativity Report from Cannes Lions Advisory. A happy agency-client relation is essential for success.

How you operate and manage your arts organization is a key factor in developing new audiences. We can help. #artsmanagement

In the past, I've always been taught to colour within the lines, memorise model answers and follow strict instructions. Two weeks ago, everything changed when Guan Hin Tay, Creative Chairman of BBDO Worldwide Singapore, challenged us to break free from the norm. He encouraged us to embrace conflict, shatter rules, and extend our thinking beyond the limits we've grown accustomed to. The word that lingered in our minds after the lecture was "COLLIDE." But what does it truly mean? It's the fusion of two seemingly different concepts. For instance, Lux's "Perfume Portrait" campaign brilliantly showcased their fragrance through the lens of a blind photographer. This is how the chaos of ideation gives birth to creative conflict. Guan's words resonate as a powerful reminder that true creativity flourishes when we dare to step outside the lines and explore the uncharted territories of imagination. These are the 3 takeaways that struck a chord with me: 1️⃣ Colliding Familiar Elements to Craft the Unfamiliar 2️⃣ A Head-On Collision with Norms to Shatter Conventions 3️⃣ Collision is The Catalyst for Sparking Bold Changes Thank you to Pei Wen Wong for organising this lecture! I can’t wait to carry these insights forward for a future filled craziness, chaos, creativity, and innovation! 🔥 #CS4070 #IssuesInAdvertising

Thinking about the comments section of social content as a space for brands to be creative means you should be evaluating who's managing your social presence and how they're doing it. You need someone who can spot strategic opportunities, move fast and write strong copy for comments that is culturally relevant, aligns with your brand and will connect with the people with whom you're trying to connect. Are you approaching social content and community management in this way?

Do you see other creatives as competition? Throughout my time at university where I was in a class with 30 other filmmakers who were all pitching ideas, I have come to embrace and appreciate the fact that every artist possesses a distinctive voice. A filmmaker's style can manifest in various elements—storytelling techniques, visual aesthetics, and even the themes they explore. For instance, one filmmaker may be drawn to sweeping cinematic landscapes and grand narratives, while another might prefer intimate, character-driven stories that explore the depths of human emotion. This diversity enriches the creative ecosystem, providing audiences with a wealth of choices and experiences. Each creative brings a unique perspective and style to their work and this individuality becomes not a hindrance to my success but a source of profound inspiration and motivation for myself and I’m sure for countless others in the field. The competition among creatives can also act as a catalyst for growth; it compels us to evaluate our work and encourage innovation alongside relentless self-improvement and rather than viewing my fellow creatives solely as competitors, I have chosen to see them as a huge source of inspiration. It is also essential to consider that every creative's journey is shaped by their personal experiences and backgrounds. The styles they cultivate are often products of their unique perspectives on the world, influenced by cultural contexts, personal histories, and life experiences. This realisation creates a deep sense of respect for my peers. I admire their courage to express their individuality and share their stories, knowing that each project carries a piece of their identity. Ultimately, it is this blend of competition and inspiration that fuels our collective creativity and drives the industry forward. #kollabkreate #kollaborators #brandstory

🎬 Team Innovation: HectiQ Artists takes a Team Approach to Agenting 📃 🖋 A few months ago, my former talent agent made the tough decision to close the agency. After an extensive search, I signed with HectiQ. I've been represented by talent agents for a while now. I was immediately struck by Christopher Bennett's fresh approach. We started with a Zoom call followed uo with a blue sky brainstorming session. Talent stays conneced through WhatsApp. Christopher and his wife, Kate, regularly host workshops with coaches and casting directors. "We created a system where we are talking to our clients constantly. We actually begin a WhatsApp social media thread with every client individually that never closes. Instead of living in a world where you’ve got to see if you can get some time with your agent, you always have it. We’re always there. We’re a message away. We can jump on a video call, we can jump on an audio call, we can share some messages and talk about some ideas together. It never stops. I’m living in a very millennial-type social media agency model that seems to give my clients that feeling of, “I’m connected to my agent. My agent knows me, I know them, I can reach them and talk to them whenever I want.” We put together a lot of workshops and a lot of important conversation sessions with our clients at no cost to them. We absorb the cost, we bring in some big casting directors, we bring in directors or subject matter experts on things every single month and we really bring our clients together. And then we’ve got a board of advisors that is unique that has been important to us. I run big decisions by them, and they’re pivotal in us helping to come up with a growth strategy, how to help treat every client uniquely, when to prioritize a type of role over another, what seasons, all that kind of stuff." SOURCE: Casting Networks It's an innovative approach to agenting thats paying off. 📃 🖋 Have you ever been represented by talent or literary agent? Come share your experience.

This week’s work of the week. COMMENTS AS CREATIVE PART TWO! Here’s our Chief Creative Officer, Rob Lenois, sharing the 3 brands that got it right AGAIN! What brands do you love to see in the comments section? Tag them below! #brandvoice #commentsascreative #workoftheweek