KCCI-TV’s Post

Striking Balance Stuart Sullivan-Martin, worldwide chief of strategy officer and global head of creative solutions at Wavemaker, discusses the intricacies of the industry, his professional philosophies and more with Little Black Book

We saved you a seat. As the 2024 awards season comes to a close we invite you to behind-the-scenes straight from the judging room – where creativity without confines is celebrated – witness the deliberations that defined the future of advertising and creative excellence this season. ➖Learn from the Best: Hear directly from top creatives and industry pioneers as they share their thoughts, critiques, and insights. ➖Inspire Your Own Work: Understand what sets winning ideas apart and apply these lessons to your own creative projects. ➖Stay Ahead of Trends: Get a sneak peek into the trends and innovations shaping the future of advertising and creativity. Don’t miss this look inside the judging process. It’s more than just an awards show; it’s a celebration of creativity, ideas, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Discussions coming June 10th.

Cannes Lions hosted 16000+ advertisers from around the world, to celebrate advertising. The secret sauce of Cannes Lions is that the energy here is contagious, and the inspiration is boundless. PS: After last week full of black tie events, this week has been such a refreshing change to dress for the beach, while we deep dive into a sea full of learnings! 🤌 PS2: we are here till Friday eod, Meetesh Kothari Jigar Zatakia and me would love to catch up if you are around. 🫶 #Cannes #CannesLions #Advertising

We saved you a seat. As the 2024 awards season comes to a close we invite you to behind-the-scenes straight from the judging room – where creativity without confines is celebrated – witness the deliberations that defined the future of advertising and creative excellence this season. ➖Learn from the Best: Hear directly from top creatives and industry pioneers as they share their thoughts, critiques, and insights. ➖Inspire Your Own Work: Understand what sets winning ideas apart and apply these lessons to your own creative projects. ➖Stay Ahead of Trends: Get a sneak peek into the trends and innovations shaping the future of advertising and creativity. Don’t miss this look inside the judging process. It’s more than just an awards show; it’s a celebration of creativity, ideas, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Discussions coming June 10th.

I was looking over the Ad Age Agency A-List awards and noticed something interesting: the majority are independents. In fact, the vast majority of the 10 A-List agencies are independent. The majority of the "Agency Standouts" are also independent. This isn't to say that there isn't good working going on in the Holdcos... but wow, the independents are just crushing it! I think there are a lot of reasons for this: 1. It's been a rough couple of years in the Holdcos 2. In a market where there are fewer large AOR assignments up for grabs, the independents are still bringing passion and enthusiasm to the pitches we run 3. Independents can take risks, go after smaller opportunities, and are living by their wits daily 4. The Holdcos cut a ton of senior talent in the past few years, and there has been a certain "revenge of the ex staffers" playing out as some of these awarded agencies were founded by ex Holdco leaders or received healthy talent infusions from the Holdco castoffs 5. The Holdcos seem distracted by more mergers and agency selloffs 6. The seemingly endless amount of Holdco leadership reorganizations has become a drinking game Back to the indies being in the spotlight: this is so good for our industry!!! Now, don't write the Holdcos off. They have immense talent that will shine if the leash is loosened a bit. I, for one, am looking forward to that. Clients will win with more competition. And the indies will get even better. #4As #cmos Judann Pollack Brian Bonilla Lindsay Rittenhouse

There are some excellent learnings here from my partners Forbes Agency Council, and me. It's important for both brands and agencies to avoid relationship mistakes like the ones mentioned here. #BehavioralMarketing #OffMadisonAve

If you believe creativity isn't just for Xmas, this is a must-watch. An absolute blockbuster session on the 3 keys to transform your campaign effectiveness in 2024, featuring some fantastic guest stars, commercial results and the brilliant Lynne Deason. #kantar #creativity #effectiveness

Reflecting on the RFK #SuperBowlAd this morning, as both a #marketer and a #history enthusiast. I initially found it to be a stroke of genius, redoing the iconic JFK ad from the 60s (original below). It seemed to pay homage to his family legacy while offering a fresh perspective, akin to a Trump-esque 'Make America Great Again' message, albeit from a different vantage point. However, my perception shifted when I witnessed the backlash on social and the subsequent apology from RFK. It became apparent that while the ad may have resonated with those familiar with the campaign or history buffs like myself, its impact on the family's emotions was unforeseen, especially considering they were blindsided by its release. In the end, the real lesson that will live on in #marketing, #publicrelations, and #advertising textbooks for a different reason. Despite the considerable investment—reportedly $7M for the spot alone—the ROI appears dubious at best. The ad's polarizing reception underscores the importance of thorough audience research and sensitivity, lest the costs outweigh the benefits. What are your thoughts on this commercial and its aftermath? #SuperBowlAds #RFK #AdvertisingStrategy #BrandManagement

Worthwhile content here.

5 Pieces of free advice, knowing the ad business deeply, after 30 years in it: - Always follow the talent. - A Vision can be blindsided, hacked and debilitated by the lack of preparation that comes with always being short term. This goes all the way from your creative reputation to your balance sheet. - Avoid making important decisions on an emotional moment. - Stating the obvious adds little value. - Keep an even keel. Trust and celebrate accolades and critics with equal stance. Neither celebrating hype or being offended will help you.