Justin Graham and innovation from adversity
A confession.
“I can’t stop listening to Neil Young. Not sure how my Apple music algorithm threw me into this world, but fair to say it’s a world I have gone deep into.”
Justin Graham, the new Group CEO of M&C Saatchi, sends an email to staff every week, called The Talk. He started it around two years ago because he felt the businesses weren’t talking enough.
He often shares anecdotes from his personal life.
“It’s intentionally disarming coming from management,” he says. “The focus of the email is commentary on what’s happening in the world that relates to us as well as a celebration of the work that’s coming out of our business in all its forms,” he tells AdNews soon after his appointment, replacing Jaimes Leggett.
“We’re a broad communications business, so it allows me to stay in touch with the entire group, to be able to hear what people are working on, and are proud of, and share it with everyone.
We’re in a creative business and the idea of finishing up on a Friday with a personal note from the CEO is a real connector for everyone. It also allows me to publicly celebrate our people, so everyone can be proud of the exceptional team they work with, as well as the outputs.”
Graham’s Friday note continues on the Neil Young theme:
“He (Neil Young) openly talks about a work ethic and philosophy
