The Woodshed
Everybody can be creative if they push fear aside. Take Louis McConnell. He has always believed in self-discovery through hard and unfamiliar situations – from amateur MMA to quitting his insurance gig to go work in a factory with more time to mountain bike. That’s how he met Alex, who took a chance and offered him a copywriter gig, zero experience and all. Hear how this experiment started, what it’s taken for Louis to prove himself as a creative and why it’s important to be yourself 100% of the tim
info_outline Representation and Critical Thinking in Media – with Michelle Lipkin, National Association of Media Literacy EducationThe Woodshed
Tweens consume 6 to 9 hours of content every day. Adults, as much as 10. What is the responsibility of advertisers as narrative builders in this very real media environment?
info_outline Feeling burnt out? You’re not alone. With Tim Dyer, Founder of Manifesto AgencyThe Woodshed
65% of ad pros are suffering "Burnout," more than teachers (58%) and consultants (55%), according to a recent AdAge article and Tim Dyer, founder of Manifesto Agency, was brave enough to share his burnout struggles on the show. Alex and Tim then discuss tactics and tips that have worked to combat Burnout in their lives as well as expert suggestions. From de-powering failure to finding value in your work to challenging everyday assumptions about your job.
info_outline So you want to start an agency? With Paul Caiozzo, founder of Interesting DevelopmentThe Woodshed
If you’ve worked in advertising long enough, or any industry, you’ve thought about running your own shop. Paul Caiozzo led Goodby Silverstein and Partners New York before starting his own agency, Interesting Development, in 2016. And like most founders, he has felt the highs and lows ever since. Paul stopped by The Woodshed for a cautionary yet encouraging chat about building an agency from the ground up and what it takes to stand out in a crowded market.
info_outline Gayle Troberman, CMO of iHeartMedia — Podcasts, theater of the mind and the 27% of America no one is talking toThe Woodshed
Gayle Troberman is CMO of iHeartMedia, the world’s largest audio company which reaches nine out of 10 Americans every month. Listen as Alex and Gayle talk about the "good ol' days"; what annoys Gayle about agencies, and the exploding world of podcasts. Find out what brands are doing wrong with audio, the good and bad of the fractionalized media landscape, and how to engage the 27% of the American workforce that no one is talking with.
info_outline The science behind the magic of advertising: A live Caffeinated Mornings eventThe Woodshed
Advertising has always been driven by instincts, opinions and luck. What’s been missing? The rigor to prove wildly creative ideas throughout the process. Join Caffeinated Mornings host Jay Ferracane as he sits with Alex to talk about applying the Scientific Method to creativity, why theoretical physicist are the most creative people on earth and why advertising needs more Einstein-like creatives to ask great questions.
info_outline Jazzvertising – lessons in collaborationThe Woodshed
Things get crowded in the shed when guest Adam Chasnow brings in a jazz trio to prove a point about collaboration. Adam has made acclaimed ad campaigns for Microsoft, Kraft and Infiniti, and credits his early education in jazz trumpet with his ability to collaborate creatively with others. His theory: everyone in business can improve their craft by learning the tenets of collective improvisation. Paul Romaine (drums), Annie Booth (piano) and Mark Diamond (bass) join the discussion.
info_outline Domino’s Art D’Elia – Innovation, early stage creative testing and better agency/client alignmentThe Woodshed
Art D’Elia is SVP, Chief Brand and Innovation Officer at Domino's. He dropped by the shed with Alex and creative director Kelly McCormick, to talk about innovation and consumer advocacy in the pizza category, as well as what agencies can do to better align with their clients and why Alex thinks advertising is 100% science.
info_outline Creative block, method advertising and grit: Alex answers questions from internsThe Woodshed
How to be well-rounded, what is method advertising, tips on getting over creative block and more. Alex sat down with the current group of CPB interns to answer their questions.
info_outline Creepy Media: Who is listening to us and why?The Woodshed
Chances are you’ve talked about something and the next thing you know, you’re served ads about it. Predictive analytics or surveillance? Alex is joined by Joe Toscano, author of the book “Automating Humanity” and Founder/CVO of BEACON, along with Jen Bollman (CPB Director of Communications Strategy) and Joe Corr (CPB Executive Creative Technology Director) to dig deep into the creepiest of media, Russian hackers, China, tech addiction and more.
info_outlineThings get crowded in the shed when guest Adam Chasnow brings in a jazz trio to prove a point about collaboration. An executive creative director at CPB, Adam has developed acclaimed ad campaigns for Microsoft, Kraft Heinz and Infiniti, and credits his early education in Jazz trumpet with his ability to collaborate creatively with others. His theory is that everyone in business can get better at their craft by taking a page from the tenets of collective improvisation. Musicians Paul Romaine (drums), Annie Booth (piano) and Mark Diamond (bass) join in the discussion and play a few tunes with Adam to help illustrate his points. If you don’t know anything about jazz, don’t worry. Neither did Alex.
Learn the rules, then forget them.
Always be listening and reacting.
Know the right time to stand out, when to support and when to lay out entirely.
It’s only stolen if you do it worse.
Adam Chasnow – TRUMPET
Paul Romaine – DRUMS
Paul is a working jazz drummer from Denver who teaches at the University of Colorado’s Thompson Jazz Studies program and co-founded CCJA (Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts) – a non-profit dedicated to empowering youth to creatively express themselves through the language of America's art form.
Click here for more info on CCJA
Annie Booth – PIANO
Annie is jazz pianist, composer and arranger who was voted “Best in Denver (Jazz)” by Westword magazine from 2015-2017. She is the Assistant Program Director at CCJA and runs “She-Bop”, a program for women in jazz.
Mark Diamond – BASS
Mark has been a sideman on over 100 albums, toured throughout Europe and regularly appears at festivals and clubs across the country.
The Woodshed is a CPB Podcast Production.