Episodes
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Social activist, fashion influencer and illustrator, Arooj Aftab has been breaking down barriers in the quest for inclusivity within the fashion industry. Arooj is now recognised as a spokesperson for body inclusivity and poses important questions about the language we use when it comes to promoting real and meaningful diversity.
After discovering she had Neurofibromatosis at a young age, she appeared in the BBC Newsbeat doc, 'My Tumour Made Me Trendy' which revealed more about her story and coming to terms with her condition. Since then been heralded by British Vogue and Elle for her work on her platform and won 2019's Asian Media Award.
She has since been a panellist for Instagram, appeared at Summer in the City and received support from Bustle, GUAP, BBC Radio London, Thiiird Magazine, Fizzy Magazine and more.
Earlier this year she launched her #donewithdiversity project which sees her combine her passion for inclusivity within the fashion industry with her talent for illustration. The project aims to encourage brands and publishing platforms to rethink the language they use and to consider if they are truly inclusive to all.
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Synth-pop singer/songwriter TRACE has been on everyone’s radar for her warm vocals, electronic sounds, and effortless mix of pop and R&B.
In this episode, we discuss how TRACE discovered music and followed her passion, we learn about the music industry and the process of going independent. Trace shares her creative process for songwriting, where she finds inspiration and we discuss why it’s important to follow your own path.
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Missing episodes?
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In this episode we speak to Gail Gallie, Co-Founder at Project Everyone. Gail is a business leader with a strong sense of social purpose. Gail’s background is in marketing and advertising. She has worked for both advertisers and agencies, in the public and private sectors. Learn more about Project Everyone in their own words below:
Project Everyone seeks to put the power of communications behind the Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals.
Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a fairer world by 2030, where extreme poverty has been eradicated, climate change is properly addressed, and injustice and inequality are unacceptable.
Devised by Richard Curtis, filmmaker and founder of Comic Relief, we are a team of communications and campaign specialists who sit at the heart of a global network of campaigning organisations, private sector partners, brands, governments, UN agencies, public figures, and social influencers. We are a not-for-profit agency who create campaigns, short films, multi-platform content, convene partners, and put on unique events that all accelerate progress towards the Goals
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In this episode we speak with OJ Deady, Creative Director of creative content agency TwelveA.M co-founded with Creative Partner, Natalie Bell.
Based in London, OJ is focussed on telling real people's stories. Fully committed to understanding his subjects and telling their stories in an un-guarded and authentic way, with great respect for what goes into narrative driven and honest imagery. OJ has worked across branded content, documentary and music videos.
We discuss:
Being free to create and developing your craftProcess of developing projects with Nicholas Kirkwood, Reserved, Moët & ChandonDirecting and producing Maverick Sabre ‘Into Hope’ music videoLong form content and documentary filmmakingCapturing emotion, energy and authentic storiesFinding inspiration from new and interesting places -
In this episode we speak with Ivan Olita, who’s character could be identified as a contemporary Bruce Chatwin. Forcing himself to only dress in black and live out of a carry-on, he sees his real home not in a house but in the thousands of roads he walks.
With one foot stateside in Los Angeles and the other in his native Italy, the filmmaker and creative director confidently moves between the worlds of cinema, art and fashion by successfully consulting for top tier brands and publications while pursuing his own personal research and development as a talented documentarian trained at Werner Herzog’s Rogue film school.
The production company he founded, BRAVÒ, is spread across the globe with a team of seven creatives that deliver premium doc-formats for both commercial and editorial purposes. He is a Vimeo Staff Pick regular and his most recent projects have been featured on Nowness, National Geographic, The Atlantic, Director’s Notes, Short Of The Week, W Magazine, Aeon, Dazed, Vogue, and The New Yorker.
Ivan shares his career journey to date and how he founded BravoCreative process and where Ivan finds InspirationWerner Herzog filmmaking techniquesInforming narrative with factsDeveloping a feature and the inspiration for the narrativeTips for young creatorsImportance of mentorship
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In this episode we speak with Paul Woolmington, currently the CEO of Canvas Worldwide – a creatively driven media and communications agency named Adweek’s 2020 Breakthrough Agency of the Year – that aims to reinvent its marketplace at scale. Under Paul’s leadership, Canvas has grown to become the world’s second-largest independent media agency.
Paul is a ‘Renaissance’ entrepreneur of the media, advertising, digital, marketing and communications industry. He has held leadership positions at the highest levels both globally and domestically in management, media, integrated business, brand, digital and communications strategy at holding companies including IPG, Y&R Inc, WPP and MDC Partners. He co-founded Naked Communications Americas, founded The Media Kitchen, and was named one of the ten most creative/innovative people in marketing and advertising by Fast Company.
Paul is also a senior fellow at Columbia University, advising in the cross-discipline ‘Committee for Global Thought’ initiative as well as a member of ‘The Digital Storytelling Lab.’ Born in Africa, raised in the UK, and now a US citizen, Paul has traveled extensively around the world both professionally and personally.
We discuss:
Working in the advertising industry between London and New York CityMad-Men Era / Madison AvenueBeing an intrapreneurRiding the wave of acquisitions, going public and founding new businessWhat it was like when Google and Facebook came alongEmbracing change -
In this episode we speak with Hala Matar, a Bahraini film director based in Los Angeles and New York. Hala has directed films for Vice, NOWNESS, Interpol, CHANEL, Kenzo, Vivienne Westwood and Diesel. Hala graduated from the University of Virginia and began her career as an art curator in New York City where she ran the gallery Chiles Matar. Her work has been featured in Rolling Stones, Pitchfork, Vogue, NME, Spin, NME, W Magazine, Nylon, CNN and Harpers Arabia.
We discuss:|
Curating art for Dries Van NotenArt CurationDreaming of becoming a film director and making it a realityDoing whatever it takes to move forwardInspiration from heartbreakCreating the best ideas from 3 hours running -
In this episode we speak with James Kirkham, Chief Business Officer at Defected Records. Joining the label as it enters its third decade. James is overseeing all social, content, marketing and PR activations at Defected, and makes an invaluable addition to the company as it navigates its position as an industry leader in a new era for the music industry.
As one of the world’s foremost media industry speakers, he has appeared on stage for a number of years at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, featured in BIMA’s prestigious Top 100 for three years running and was recently selected as one of the top Leaders Under 40 in the sports business. He was also named in Campaign Magazine’s esteemed ‘Power 100’ in July 2019.
We discuss:
James career journey to dateDefected Records, an ecosystem and how the record label is evolvingHow creativity is born out of adversityDigital transformation, virtual events and innovation on the dance floorHow Defected has championed the music industry in 2020 during the pandemicPromoting records in this new event formatLove for Glitterbox and the soon to be released long form documentaryExciting plans for 2021 and beyond -
In this episode we speak with Brigit Richie, Founder & CEO of WE. A business on a mission to provide individuals and companies (such as Google, Walt Disney, Instagram) the tools to implement a relational mindset. This mindset has a focus on empathy and teaches how to listen and connect to people, shifting culture one relationship at a time.
We discuss:
Diversity, Equity and InclusionCreating experiences they believe in for major companiesWorking with Google and the power of human experienceHow to understand inclusive language from a relational standpointThe importance of 'Creative Play'Getting into your flow state and being presentHow you can support inclusive cultures at work -
In this episode we speak with Jonas Altman, who helps people do their best work. As the founder of award-winning design practice Social Fabric and author of best-selling book ‘Shapers - Reinvent The Way You Work’, Jonas creates learning experiences that transform people so they can elevate how they organise, collaborate, and innovate. Over the years Jonas has created fashion brands, ran a digital agency, launched London's first lifestyle and technology incubator, and now advises on culture change to some of the world’s boldest organisations. Jonas is an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business and he enjoys surfing, riding the waves to unwind.
In this episode we speak to Jonas about his new bestselling book titled ‘SHAPERS - reinvent the way you work’, the Shape of Work Program and the following topics:
Innovation and where is the end?Role design - your work and relationshipsHow to get into your flow stateHow culture is changing at workLeadership stylesCOVID-19 - digital transformation and new ways of workingEducationIkigaiPolymath and SlashiesBiophilia the human connection with naturePomodoro technique -
Noah Bernard is an experienced Brand and Creative Director with over 25 years of experience delivering best in class product, purpose and people marketing. A strong marketing professional skilled in Trend Analysis, Design, Apparel, Footwear, Technology and FMCG. Noah has led creative teams at some of the world's most loved brands such as Samsung, adidas and PUMA.
In this episode we discuss his journey from being triathlete, to designing running shoes with a career highlight sitting at the Olympics with Usain Bolt when he broke the 100m world record.
We discuss:
We track about culture and giving backHow brands have reacted to COVID 19 and their marketing strategiesWho you are and how you play into this worldDoing what you know well and sticking to itIs there a drought of creativity?Is the CMO title dead?Brands after covidThe power of motion -
In this episode we speak with Amanda Charchian a photographer who creates work with a feminine sensuality that celebrates the erotically charged. Amanda earned a BFA from Otis College of Art and Design in 2010, and has been featured in publications such as New York Magazine, Vogue Italia, TIME, The Huffington Post, Interview Magazine, L’Officiel ART, i-D, Purple, and Turkish Vogue. In 2016 Amanda released her first monograph, Pheromone Hotbox featuring works captured over three years. Charchian has produced editorial and commercial work for Gucci, Chloe, Cartier, Garage, and Vogue Italia. Amanda Charchian lives and works between Los Angeles and London.
We discuss:
Art, sculpting and photography her career journey to date between LA and LondonWorking on projects for brands such as GUCCI, Chloe and Cartier and working with cultural leaders like Travis ScottWhere Amanda gets her inspiration and why the sun is so importantWe talk about her book Pheromone Hotbox Less is moreNew book - Pleasure and Service -
In this episode we speak with Amy Kean, who has been in the media world for 14 years, initially cutting her industry teeth at the IAB as head of PR. She moved to create the social teams of each agency of the Havas Media Group, before moving into innovation and launching Havas Media Labs. In the latter half of her career she lead Mindshare’s strategy and insights across APAC, then headed back to the UK to run planning and strategy for Coty’s in-house digital agency, Beamly. Amy pens a column for Shots magazine and her first book of poetry – The Little Girl Who Gave Zero F*cks – has been a number 1 Amazon bestseller.
We discuss:
the message behind Amy’s best selling bookthe process of writing a bookthe ups and downs of the advertising world why being weird is the new normal -
Brendan Walsh is a writer of screenplays, director and editor of commercials and films, and one of three partners in production company Oak Leaf Media. Oak Leaf solves communications problems with creativity and develops intellectual properties. Oak Leaf really likes movies and TV, and their favorite thing is to partner with other production companies and freelancers to create media.
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In this episode we speak with Maya Bogle, Co-Founder at Talenthouse. We discuss the power of creative collaboration, driving innovation with brands and agencies, the incredible United Nations creative brief and what the future holds!
Maya Bogle has over 30 years’ experience in advertising, consulting and partnership development and combines a deep understanding of the challenges the ad industry faces with a relentless desire for it to improve, adapt and progress.She is the co-founder of global creative community and collaboration platform, Talenthouse, which launched in 2009. Ten years later Talenthouse.com, Ello.co, and Zooppa.com merged to form TLNT Holdings, the world’s largest multi-discipline creative network with over 5 million members across 200 countries.Maya is driven by the TLNT mission to support and nurture creatives at every stage of their career by giving them access to opportunities for recognition, inspiration, learning, collaboration and income through partnerships with brands. She is passionate about democratising creativity and believes that a great idea can come from anywhere. She is championing the ad industry to recognise open-sourcing as an effective model to engage creators for authentic, diverse, culturally relevant creative work and influence across multiple markets and channels.Maya is a regular speaker at global industry conferences including Cannes Lions, Social Media Week, AdWeek, Media Summit, Web Summit. She was appointed as a Board Trustee to the Design & Technology Association in January 2020 to help drive their goal to support the creative curriculum across schools, colleges and Universities. Maya also enjoys coaching and mentoring and speaks at numerous educational establishments as well as judging creative awards throughout the industry.
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Show Notes:
This week I am sharing a special episode as it is a live recording from a recent Seemo event at Shoreditch House in London. The title of the event was 'Cuture, Collaboration and Creativity' and we had a stellar line-up - including Fabio Ruffet (Regional Brand Director, Bacardi Rum Europe - OJ Deady, Creative Director, TwelveA.M - Sam Blenkinsopp CEO & Co-founder of Trippin’ and Laura Campbell VP, Global Brand Partnerships of Talenthouse) The format of the evening was to have each panellist showcase a recent campaign that was true to being authentic and representing cultures in a collaborative way. Then we sit down for an insightful discussion followed by Q&A.
Follow SEEMO:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramFacebook -
Show Notes:
Scott Morrison has fuelled his passion of creativity and culture at some of the world’s most demanding, creative and culturally diverse brands including Saatchi and Saatchi, Wieden and Kennedy, Nike, Levi’s, Activision and Diesel. Today, Scott continues to learn from some of the world’s freshest startup thinkers and leaders at brands who inspire the new, the innovative and the slightly mad. Taking all that experience, Scott travels around the world meeting with senior stakeholders to unleash the BOOM! Hosting workshops and keynotes with brands such as Starbucks, Red Bull, Absolut, TK Maxx and ITV to name a few - to think in an innovate way about their business challenges. He is not interested in the fluff - and encourages clarity of the challenge and tangible actions to move the business forward. Scott believes the right people, the right environment and the right tools deliver the best results every time. In this episode we discuss Scott’s career and some campaign highlights and learnings, the power of culture at work and how to adapt in a new job, going from agency side to client-side, rigour in business, diversity, how brands are becoming platforms for positive change and Scott’s practical tips on how we can all unlock our creativity.
Links Mentioned:Unleash the Boom! websiteScott's InstagramFollow SEEMO:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramFacebook -
Show Notes:
Reuben works as a comedian, speaker, and facilitator and has over a decade's experience creating and hosting edutainment shows (live, online and podcast based) that encourage the next generation to explore their authentic potential. He's worked with the BBC, Channel 4, Virgin Media, Pearsons, and TEDX to name a few companies and hosted everything from intimate live music nights and comedy shows to larger entrepreneurial debates and festivals, whilst on this mission. Combining all his experience, Reuben now creates and host transformative experiences through Dream Rehab – helping companies and individuals achieve their goals through practical means, with a massive focus on the art of empathetic collaboration. In this episode, we discuss his career to date, being a comedian, the highs and lows of working on TV and Radio, creating a community for men's fashion, the importance of your mental health and Reuben shares his practical tips for anyone looking to achieve their goals.
Links Mentioned:Dream RehabReuben's InstagramFollow SEEMO:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramFacebook -
Show Notes:
Sherry Collins founded The Pitch Fanzine in 2015, a movement challenging inequality, discrimination and the lack of diversity in the creative industries, while simultaneously showcasing outstanding contemporary talent in its publication Pitch. Published four times per year, talent such as creatives, directors, photographers, brand founders, animators, illustrators, producers and multi-disciplinary artists, are showcased in Pitch. Copies are distributed to an exclusive, hand-picked, targeted list of influencers and decision-makers in the creative industry. In 2017, Sherry launched the Pitch 100 Superwomen initiative, the yearly list of women working behind the scenes in the creative industry making things happen. Sherry also launched Pitch Futures in 2017 to inspire and educate primary school children about the opportunities available to them in the creative industry. In this episode, we learn how Sherry has developed Pitch Fanzine, we talk about the latest issue 'Pitch Cool' and the importance of diversity.
Links Mentioned:The Pitch Fanzine websiteThe pitch Fanzine instagramFollow SEEMO:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramFacebook -
Show Notes:
Sara Samra is an artist and fashion designer of the emerging brand Askaris, that is changing the narrative of Muslim women and making a stance for the fearless. In this episode, we discuss how Sara has been inspired by the history of Eritrea and the fearlessness of the women, why it’s important to educate the new generation on how to break down the stereotypes, why you just have to start with your idea and how Sara plans to empower women through a series of events, exhibitions and school workshops.
Links Mentioned:Sara Samra instagramAskari Designs instagramFollow SEEMO:Our WebsiteTwitterInstagramFacebook - Show more
